Fundamentals of Extension Education

Steps in programme planning

• The principles of extension program planning will help to develop the logical steps in programme planning process
  1. Collection of facts and figures
  2. Analysis of situation
  3. Identification of problems
  4. Determination of objectives /goals
  5. Developing plan of work and calendar of operation
  6. Follow up through plan of work and calendar of operation
  7. Evaluation of progress
  8. Reconsideration and Revision of programme

1. Collection of facts and figures
Collection of reliable data is the basic requirement of good planning. Extension worker must collect and interpret authentic information for the use of community leaders. He should make bench mark survey from where people start the process of programme planning.
From available records.
Information relating to:
• Major crops grown by the farmers in that area
• What methods they are using in their farm
• How these methods are to be corrected
• People (Population, farm families, occupation, transport, drinking water, medical facilities, social classes, local leaders)
• Their enterprises
• Level of technology
• Facilities and constraints, values etc,.
• Resources (Irrigation, drainage)
Method of collecting:
• Collected from village panchayats revenue records, local newspapers and personal visits. Reports from local leaders
• Discussions and meetings with local famers

2. Analyse the situation:
• For making the assessment data useful to the person committee Analysis means that data should be translated into ideal language for the explanation of the meaning of facts by taking the help of local experienced farmers, specialists in an unbiased way, keeping in view the feelings expressed by the client system.

3. Problem identification:
• The interpretation of the data after good analysis helps in identifying the problems correctly.
  These facts raise the interest of the people
  There may be many problems, but only the urgent and significant ones which may be solved with the available resources and within the limits of the time should only be selected. Example: Low income level of farmers, employment and nutrition of families.
  Set the objectives: On the basis of the significant needs identified essential to decide the objectives determined by the changes as well as the villagers The success or failure of any programme depends upon whether the objectives are achieved or not.
  Objectives should have clarity, understandings, achievability, developmental potential, create interest and satisfaction among the people. It may be measured and evaluated in terms of costs and benefits. Example: Increase the income level of farmers.
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5. Formulate plan of work:
• In written form indicating who shall do which job, i.e,.
  what the change against system and client system shall do
  who will be responsible for the whole planning process
  which institution, organisations, service departments shall be involved
  what will be the farmings
  what type of learning experience needs to be provided, teachings
• The calendar of operations shall be prepared on the basis of the plan of work and shall specify when a particular work shall be done, preferably mentioning date and how much quantity of different inputs (credits) required and when they must be made available.
  When ware and for how many days the farmers shall be trained
  Who are the specialists to be involved
  This is atleast for one season or for a period of one year.

6. Execution of Plan:
• success of any programme depends on how well it is, it should be exercised in such a way that it must have a coordination with the extension service The sum of each activity should be followed as set forth in all required assistance should be provided during the execution. All steps of programme should be discussed first with the related persons or local persons so that good cooperation can be maintained. The whole plan should be executed as decided and unnecessary changes should not be made. Any change should be made the basis of evaluation and replacing which should be accepted by all the concerned persons.

7. Evaluate the programme:
• Evaluation of any programme during and after the execution is essential to judge whether the programme is moving in the right direction or not.
• Negative factor or any difficulty or impeding problem should be removed.
• Positive factor of the programme should be accelerated
• Evaluation should be made jointly by the extension worker and local or concerning organisations
Through: Records, prepared documents, reports, discussions with concerned persons
I- Before starting of programme
II- During the execution of programme
III- After the completion of programme
Evaluation helps in:
• To establish a bench mark
• Shows how far our plans have progressed
• Shows whether we are proceeding in the right direction. Proof of omissions, recommended changes suggests new directions.
• Indicate the effectiveness of the programme
• Helps to locate strong and weak points in any work or plan
• Improves skills in working with the people
• Helps to determine priorities for activities in the plan of work
• Brings confidence and satisfaction to our work.

8. Reconsideration:
• The situation should be reconsidered to review the social and economic changes of the people so that whole process may be again modified or new objectives. This should be done not only with the participants, but also with scientists, administrators, local bodies.
• It helps to make necessary corrections and modifications for the programme. Here emphasis should be on the removal of technical ……….. is any and how to obtain more cooperation and involvement of the participants and various organisations. This is to make more effective, so to attain objectives.
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