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Exhibition is a systematic display of models, specimens, charts, photographs, pictures, posters, information etc. in a sequence around a theme to create awareness and interest in community. This method is suitable for reaching all types of people. Exhibitions may be held at the village, block, sub-division, district, state, national and international level. Though an exhibition is organized around a major theme, other related themes and some unrelated items like entertainment may also be included. Farmer’s fairs and krishi melas held by the agricultural universities, institutes and various other organizations in which field visit, training programmes are combined with exhibition are effective and popular. Exhibitions may also be organized by taking advantage of local fairs and festivals. In fixing dates for exhibition, the weather condition and the schedule of farm operations may be kept in view.
An exhibition covers three stages of extension education which are:
- Arousing interest.
- Creating desire to learn.
- Providing a chance to take a decision.
Objectives:
- To inform or introduce the people with better standards about the practices.
- To impress people to adopt better practices.
- To develop interest in a wide range of activities.
- To promote understanding and create goodwill towards extension service.
Technique
Planning and preparation
- Form a steering committee and suitable sub-committees with the specialists, local leaders and administrators.
- Decide on the theme and procure funds.
- Decide on the venue, time and duration.
- Prepare a written programme and communicate to all concerned in time. Keep some cultural and recreational programmes in the evening.
- Get the site ready for display of exhibits to be brought by the farmers.
- Arrange a well ventilated, spacious, covered or open area for holding meeting, training and entertainment programmes.
- Display posters at important places. Publicize about the exhibition through mass media.
- Decorate the stalls simply and tastefully. Make adequate arrangements for lighting. Use special –effect lights where necessary.
- Prepare good quality and colorful exhibits which shall convey the desired message to the visitors. Use local materials as far as possible. Label the exhibits in local language with bold letters.
- Display exhibits about 50 to 60 cm. above the floor of the stall, up to a height of about 2 meters. Maintain proper sequence. Avoid overcrowding of exhibits. Take precaution against display of insignificant and unrelated exhibits.
- If possible, arrange action and live exhibits.
- Train up interpreters and allot specific duties. For a long duration exhibition, arrange rotation and replacement of personnel.
Implementation:
- Organize formal opening of the exhibition by a local leader or a prominent person.
- Arrange smooth flow of visitors.
- Let the interpreters briefly explain the exhibits to the visitors so that the intended message is clearly communicated. Distribute publications during visit.
- Organize a panel of experts to be present nearby, so that the visitors who would like to know more or discuss some problems could get the desired information.
- Conduct meetings, training programmes etc. as per schedule during the day time. Use the pandal at night for entertainment programmes.
- Arrange judging of exhibits brought by the farmers and give away prizes and certificates.
- Keep the exhibits and the premises clean. Replace exhibits as and when necessary.
- If desired, judge the stalls on the basis of their quality of display, ability to draw visitors and effectiveness in communicating message and award certificates.
- Conclude the exhibition as scheduled by thanking the participants and those who have helped.
Follow-up:
- Meet some visitors personally and maintain a visitor’s book for comments during the exhibition to get feedback information.
- Talk to the local leaders and assess success of the exhibition.
- Ensure availability of critical inputs and facilities emphasized during the exhibition.
- Look for changes in practice in the community in the coming years.
Lay out of agricultural exhibitions on large-scale:
In such exhibitions a gate, which depicts village life, may be prepared with material available in the village. The exhibits may be grouped in sections like – agricultural information, agricultural implements, soil conservation, crops, dairy, horticultural, flower show, entomology, plant pathology, agricultural economics, extension, etc. some agencies like firms dealing with insecticides, machines and bodies like I.C.A.R., etc. may be invited to display their material. Space should be provided for film-shows, meetings, shops for tea etc.
Display:
Exhibits should be displayed and planned so as to be easily seen. Photographs, charts and posters should be prominently placed at eye-level. Material for stands, etc.as far as possible, use material available in the villages. Stands of bamboo or wood, woven with newar, kana, chatai, etc. may be prepared even charpais arranged in a U-shape can serve this purpose.
Framing:
For framing we can paste pictures on cardboard and put bamboo or wooden frames. Frames which are replaceable with catches at the back can be made. The pictures or diagrams may be framed in glass and put in wooden crates so that they are not damaged in transport.
Exhibits, specimen and models:
Good exhibits tell a story without the need of an attendant. While planning to prepare an exhibit, limit it to one idea and make it simple and large. It should be timely, durable and attractive having bold letters and few items. All parts which need explanation should be labeled.
Advantages:
- For reaching illiterates, it is one of the best media.
- It can help to raise the standard of certain products, its type and quality.
- It helps the member to compare his work to others when used for that purpose.
- It promotes or develops creative abilities to some extent.
- At the occasions of festival, it can serve recreational requirements.
- Where the extension work is beginning, it has a great publicity value.
- It has an imaginative appeal.
- It advertizes products which are available.
- It is a learning experience.
Limitations:
- Requires lots of funds and preparation.
- Cannot be held frequently.
- It cannot be used widely.
- It cannot be repeated at the same place without making substantial changes.
- It is unable to represent all the phases of work.
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Participants