Fisheries Extension Education (2+1)

2.2.2 Farm and Home Visits 

Farm and home visits constitute the direct or face-to-face contact by an extension worker with the farmer or the members of his family at the latter’s farm or home for one or more specific purposes connected with extension. It is considered at the most effective method for influencing the farmer for the cause of extension. 

Things to be remembered in farm and home visits

1. The visit should be made with the definite purpose.

2. Be punctual and save time by proper planning.

3. Remote farms and homes should be given the first preference.

4. This method should be used to reinforce the other methods.

Merits

1. The extension worker can get the first-hand information on the problems of the stakeholders.

2. He develops good will with the farmers.

3. He develops the confidence when his ideas are accepted by the farmers.

4. The interest of the people in extension services is created.

5. Visits are source of material for news stories.

6. This method will help the extension workers to identify local leaders and potential farmers to aid the extension agency to conduct different extension programmes. 

Demerits

1. It consumes much of time of the extension worker.

2. Only limited number of farmers can be contacted.

3. Time of visits may not be opportune to the farmers, some times.

4. Tendency to visit the same farm again and again may be created.

5. It is a costly method.