VAE 311: Principles and Techniques of Veterinary and AH Extension (2+1)

COMMUNITY PROJECTS

• Community development programme started on October 2^nd, 1952, as a pilot project to see peoples reaction and pitfalls. There were 55 projects. Each covered about 300 villages with the population of about two lakhs and an area of about 1,50,000 acres.
• Each project was divided into three development blocks consisting of 100 villages with a population of 60,000 to 70,000. Each block was divided into groups of 5-10 villages with a Village Level worker (gram sevak). To begin with, only areas with assured rainfall and facilities for irrigation and spoil capable of giving quick returns were selected.
• A project was to be completed within a period of three years. For facilitating the implementation of the work, this period was divided into five stages of work.

S. No.	Stage	Period	Activities
1.	Conception stage	3 Months	Selection of the area for projects, its economic survey and planning.
2.	Initiation stage	6 Months	Arrangements for temporary houses for block personnel. Cost of communication and collection of required materials.
3.	Operation stage	18 Months	Approved activities were taken up.
4.	Consolidation stage	6 Months	Operation was wound up.
5.	Finalization stage	3 Months	Final touches were given, finalization of report and submission to government.

• This was experimental. The villagers were expected to continue after they become well versed with the nature of activities. But the initial projects and blocks suffered form several handicaps in the beginning, which retarded the pace of progress.
• The period of operation was extended by one year and these continued to operate upto September 30, 1956.