Fundamentals of Extension Education

Intensive Agricultural Development Programme (IADP)

• Popularly known as "PACKAGE PROGRAMME" was launched in the country from Kharif 1960. The central idea behind the IADP was that increased agricultural productivity shall lead to economic growth, which shall bring welfare to the society. The method adopted in IADP was to demonstrate in feasibility of increased agricultural production rapidly by concentrating on all factors of production at the same time in an integrated action programme in selected areas fulfilling optimum conditions.
• The programme was popularly known as "PACKAGE PROGRAMME" because of the collective and simultaneous application of all improved practices : namely improved seeds. irrigation, fertilizer. plant protection, implements, storage facilities, marketing facilities and credit etc,
• Initially 7 districts were covered under this programme namely (I) Thanjavur (TN). (2) West Godavari (AP). (3) Sahabad (Bihar), (4) Raipur (MP), (5) Aligarh (UP), (6) Ludhiana (Punjab). (7) Pali (Rajasthan). During Kharif of19W, additional 9 districts covered were (I) Alleppy (Kerala), (2) Palghat (Kerala), (3) Mandya (Karnataka), (4) Surat (Gujarat), (5) Sambalpur (Orissa), (6) Burdavan (W.B.), (7) Cachar (Assam), (8) Bhandara (Maharashtra), (9) Six blocks in (J & K).
• The central idea of IADP was that increased agricultural productivity shall lead to economic growth which shall bring welfare to the society.

Achievements
1. The cultivators were provided simultaneously with all supplies and services at right time and in adequate quantities through co¬operatives.
2. Marketing and storage facilities were developed within bullock cart distance.
3. Covered all the important cash crop grown in the district, although emphasis was laid in the increase of food grains crops.
4. Rapid increases in agricultural production were achieved in all the IADP districts.
5. Involvement of small farmers and package approach was achieved.
6. 45% of the village and 30% of the total cultivated area in the selected district was covered by this programme.
7. Intensive efforts were made to use improved seeds and fertilizers over the entire area and encourage the adoption of improved farm practices.

The short coming of the IADP were
• Educational approach to reach the cultivators was lacking.
• Training programme of staff was not clear, the VLW's were not able (6- impress the farmers.
• Staff was not clear about the methods to reach the cultivators. The staffs were target oriented even in filling up agricultural production plans.
• Posting of staff were not adequate and timely.
• Workshop seed testing and soil testing laboratories were not functioning to the required level.
• There was problem of communication
• Co-operative were not functioning well
• Transport and land development programmes were not progressing satisfactorily.
• There was lack of action research.
• Very little participation by women in the programme.  
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