Principles and Techniques of Veterinary and AH Extension

PRINCIPLES OF EXTENSION PROGRAMME PLANNING

• Extension Programmes should be based on an analysis of the past experiences, present situation and future needs. For programme determination adequate information about the people and their situation have to be collected. The present situation is to be analyzed and interpreted on the basis of past experiences, by taking local people into confidence. This shall help in arriving at the future needs.
• Extension programmes should have clear and significant objectives, which could satisfy important needs of the people. The ultimate objective of programme building is to satisfy the needs of the people. For this purpose, significant objectives pertaining to important needs of the people should be selected and clearly stated. The emphasis shall be on what is attainable rather than on what is ideal, although one should not lose sight of the later.
• Extension programmes should fix up priority on the basis of available resources and time. The rural people, particularly in the developing countries, have a multitude of problems. All problems cannot be taken up at a time for solution, because of the limitations of trained personnel, availability of funds, facilities and other resources. Time is also a limiting factor as both the people and the funding agencies cannot wait for an indefinite period of time to get the results. Considering all these parameters, it is essential to fix up priorities in the programme.
• Extension programmes should clearly indicate the availability and utilization of resources. All extension programmes should clearly state where from the funds, facilities, supplies and the needed personnel shall be made available and how these shall be utilized. This shall make the programme practical and workable.
• Extension programme should have a general agreement at various levels. Programmes prepared at various levels such as village, district, state and national levels should conform to each other and shall not work at cross purposes. Similarly, extension programmes of a particular department should not be in conflict or contradiction with the extension programme of another department.
• Extension programme should involve people at the local level. Extension programmes are implemented at the local level. Local people should, therefore, be involved all through, from programme formation to programme implementation.
• Extension programmes should involve relevant institutions and organizations. Extension programmes cannot be implemented in isolation. It requires the support of many institutions and organizations. The programme should broadly indicate the institutions and organizations to be involved and how they shall contribute in attaining the programme objectives.
• Extension programme should have definite plan of work. The plan of work may be separately drawn up or incorporated in the programme. The programme should broadly indicate how it will be executed. Unless the plan of work is drawn up, the programme remains a theoretical exercise.
• Extension programmes should provide for evaluation of results and reconsideration of the programme. Extension programme is not a static outline of activities. The programme should make provision for periodical monitoring and evaluation of results to judge its progress. On the basis of the findings of evaluation, the programme should be suitably modified to facilitate its reaching the objective within the stipulated period of time.
• Extension programmes should provide equitable distribution of benefits amongst the members of the community. It has been found that, in a community generally the resource rich persons benefit more in comparison to the resource poor, from the implementation of extension programmes. The gap between rich and poor is getting widened. As this may generate social disparity and social tensions, the planning of extension programmes should give adequate emphasis on the weaker sections of the community.