Agricultural Extension refers to empowering farmers through sharing information, knowledge, technology, skills, farm management practices so as to enable them to realise higher incomes on a sustainable basis. It takes through the Agricultural research Institutes, KVKs, Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) etc.
Agricultural extension has played a key role in the success of the Green Revolution. However, it has led to Input intensive agriculture. Hence, renewed thrust on knowledge-based extension would modernize agriculture, make it more scientific leading to enhanced income levels.
IMPORTANCE OF EXTENSION
- Use of outdated and inappropriate technology is the main reason for low productivity of crops and livestock.
- Empowering farmers with information related to each stage of agricultural cycle- Pre-planting, Seeding, Growing, Harvesting, Post-Harvesting and Marketing.
- Bridge two gaps- Best scientific practices and best field practices; Best field practices and Average farmer.
- Extension through Green Revolution has benefitted large farmers. Extension activities have to be more inclusive and hence Focus on empowering the Poor farmers.
- Enhancing input use efficiency through enhanced knowledge- Soil, water, fertilizer management.
- Knowledge to make agriculture more climate resilient- ZBNF, Conservation agriculture etc.
- Huge gap exists between the demand for and supply of skills in agriculture, hindering diversification, adoption of precision agriculture and on farm post-harvest value addition.
- Providing psychological counselling to farmers to manage distresses
- Entrepreneurial skills for farmers to manage small scale agri-business;
SUGGESTION FOR REJUVENATION OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION IN THE COUNTRY
- Co-opting and converging multiplicity of public, private and not for profit extension services
- Agricultural extension activities to cover “off-farm and non-farm” income generating activities which are critical for doubling farmers’ income.
- Leveraging ICT to reach out to farmers will streamline information flow, reduce load on manpower and provide for real time information, among other advantages.
- Revisiting Curriculum in Agriculture Universities:
- Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode through KVKs.
- Agri-business oriented extension system
- Capacity building of extension functionaries