Grass-root level refers to the village level, which is the basic primary level to start the programme implementation. It is not so easy to execute a programme smoothly at the village level, as it sounds to be. A number of problems are faced in the execution of different programmes like- problems of finance, cultural and traditional norms, improper marketing and storage facility, inadequate supply of inputs, lack of worthy schemes, less importance to agricultural programmes and many others. The success or failure of any programme depends on a number of factors.
Village Factions “Factions” in simple terms refers to a state of disagreement and disharmony-say conflict. In some villages the people may have disagreement among various aspects due to a number of reasons such as social, domestic, religious, caste and others. Complete removal of the existing factions in the village is very difficult. Even if the gram sevak tries to dissolve them, it will result in a more difficult situation and would become very hard to convince the villagers to accept and adopt the improved practices being taught in the programme. On the other hand, if the gram sevak accepts the existence of factions as normal in a village and helps the members of both the factions to implement the projects and fulfill their respective needs, he utilizes the competitive spirit of both the factions and thereby the chances of getting success in implementation of the programme are greater. But if this fact is not properly realized and the gram sevaks at the village level indulge in abolishing the factions, rather than emphasizing on the implementation of programmes, a number of difficulties are faced in their efforts to introduce new practices in villages.
Emergencies Sometimes, even if the best efforts are put in implementation of the programme, still programme is not a success. This may be due to the sudden emergencies like natural calamites that arise and the unexpected happens now and then during the implementation of the programme. In such situations, it becomes the responsibility of the extension workers to find out the reasons for that with the village leaders. They must also stimulate the village leaders to think and plan for alternative solutions for the emergent situation that has occurred. The villagers should be helped to fully understand the situation then accordingly plan suitable actions for curbing the emergent situations that have arisen.
Administrative sanctions It is very important to get administrative sanctions and approval for different steps in programme implementation. Without this, it becomes very difficult to implement the different activities in the projects. In spite of well thought out plans of work and clearly assigned roles of individual members, sometimes disappointments happen due to delays in administrative sanctions or in not getting the necessary approvals for going ahead with the various steps in programme implementation. When such disappointments or delays occur, the field workers should themselves try to analyze the reasons for such happenings and should explain them to the villagers. Also, at the same time, some alternatives should be planned with the villagers, so that something or the other goes running.
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