EXTENSION-

MEANING,DEFINITION,CHARACTERISTICS,
NEED,OBJECTIVES,SCOPE,PHILOSOPHY AND
PRINCIPLES.
●
'Extension' is a term which is open to a
widevariety of interpretations. It is a dynamic
concept subject to multiple interpretations and
thus has been changing.
●
It is a relatively new operational concept in India.
It became diversified due to its increasing
relevance and contribution to different sectors of
development.
●
Extension education as an applied science
derives its contents from research, field
experiences and behavioural science, among
 It employs diverse means, techniques,
technologies and approaches to deliver
its contents. It has its philosophy and
principles that focus on addressing the
problems of people in rural, remote and
disadvantaged or backward areas.
 Extension meaning
●
The term 'extension' has its origin in the Latin
word, tensio, meaning stretching,and ex,
meaning out. The literal meaning of extension
is stretching out.
●
Extension basically extends education; its
purpose is to change the attitudes and practices
of people with whom the work is done.
 CHARACTERISTICS.
Starts with practices and may take up theory
●

●
later on
People study problems
●

●
No fixed curriculum or course of study and
people help to formulate the curriculum
Authority rests with the people
●
Participation is voluntary -
●

●
Extension worker teaches and also learns from
the people
●

Teaching is also through local leader.

●

Teaching is mainly horizontal

●

Heterogeneous audience
●

●
Flexible
●
Freedom to develop programmes locally
based on the development needs and
expresseddesires of the stakeholders of
development
●
More practical and intended for immediate
application in the solution of the problems
 objectives
The fundamental objective of extension is to stimulate
desirable development.
Following are the five specific objectives of extension:
> To transfer knowledge from researchers to the end-users.
●

> To advise people in the decision-making process.

●

●
> To educate people to enable them to take similar decisions
in future on their own.
●

●
●
> To enable people to have clear goals with
knowledge about their possibilities and how
to realize them.
●
> To stimulate desirable developments within
the framework of the national, economic and
social policies involving all the sub-sectors of
development as a whole.
 SCOPE
●
Agriculture production- In developing countries with 50% to 70% of
the population employed in agricultural production as compared to
10% to 20% in the economically advanced countries, food shortages
are a common occurrence.
Marketing distribution and utilization of farm products- It is
●

determined to a large extent whether they are produced at a profit or

at a loss of money or at least of human effort.
A national program for the marketing of agricultural products is first
●

concerned that products will be produced of a quality and in the

quality which the market will absorb at the time they are needed.
●
●
Conversation and wise use of natural resources–
Agricultural extension programs in this field are
directed to:-
–Informing people of the value of and need for
conservation.
–Assisting people to use their own resources wisely so
as to provide the best possible living for themselves
and their descendants.
–Motivating people to do their part in achieving
national objectives.
Management on the farm- It involves large and continuing
●

decisions as to alternative use of resources in an effort to maximise

productivity and farm income.
●
Farm management is an essential element in the training of
farmers. A farmer, at any given time has at his disposal a certain
amount of land with certain characteristics, his labor and that of his
family.
●
Community and rural peoples development- Extension is
development of individuals in their day-to-day living, development
of their leaders, their communities and their village peoples. The
welfare and happiness of the people with their own families,
their own villages, their own country is increasing day by day.
 PHILOSOPHY
OF EXTENSION
State's Philosophy of Extension: The philosophy of the State
regarding extension can be looked at from different perspectives
as follows.
●
Extension is an economic necessity: Extension serves the
economic objectives of the nation. It is no longer a good practice
for a villager to carry on what he learned from his father or
family. Farming must be progressive and efficient, just like any
other industry, or else the whole nation is likely to suffer. So, the
first requirement for people's progress is new information. The
purpose of extension is to bring this information to all those who
need it.
●
Extension is based upon research
●

●
extension workers have to help the people define their own
problems. Once their problems have been clarified, the
extension worker can present them to the researchers, who
in turn try to look for possible solutions. the extension
worker has to bring effective solutions to the villagers. He
has to translate abstract formula into clear, understandable
language, and show them how, when and where the new
knowledge may be profitably applied.
●
●
Extension bases its programs on needs:
The major task of extension is to convince
the people of the value of new and better
practices. Extension paves the way for
further progress by making the community
aware of the benefits to be obtained from
the programs.
●
Extension is an educationalprocess: Extension
involves no coercion of any sort but is an educational
process, different from formal education.
●
Extension depends on the ability of a limited
number of workers to inspireclientele and to create a
desire in them for more efficient production, and
Introduction to Extension better living conditions in
the rural areas.
●
Principle of interest and need: Extension work
must be based on the needs and interests of the
people. These needs and interests vary from
individual to individual, from village to village,
from block to block, and from state to state.
Therefore, extension programmes have to be
formulated based on the needs of the target groups.
●

●
●
Principle of cultural difference: Extension work
is based on the cultural Extension Education:
Concept, Principles, background of the people
with whom the work is done. Extension worker
has to know the level of knowledge and skills of
the people, themethods and tools used by them,
their customs, traditions, beliefs, values,etc before
starting the extension programme.
●
Principle of participation: Extension helps people to
help themselves. Good extension work is directed
towards assisting people to work out their
ownproblems, rather than giving them ready-made
solutions. Actual participation and the experience of
involvement create self-confidence in the people and
they learn more by doing.
●
Principle of adaptability: People, groups
and their conditions differ from place to
place. Therefore, extension programme
should be flexible, so that necessary
changes can be made whenever needed to
meet varying conditions.
●
The grassroots principle of organization:
Any development progrrrnme should fit in
with the local conditions. The aim of
organizing a local group isio demonstrate
the value of the new practices or
programmes so that there is more people's
participation.
The leadership principle:
●
Extension work is based on the full utilization of
local leadership. The selection and training of local
leaders to involve them in extension work is essential
for the success of the development programme.
People have more faith in local leaders and they
should be used to put across a new developmental
idea so that it is accepted with the least resistance.
●
The whole-family principle: Extension work will have a
better chance of success if the extension workers have a
whole-family approach instead of piecemeal approach /
separate approach. Extension work is therefore for the
whole family.
Principle of co-operation: Extension is a cooperative
●

venture. It is a joint, democratic enterprise in which

people cooperate with their village, block and state
officials to pursue a common development cause.
●
Principle of satisfaction: "A satisfied customer is
the best advertisement". The end product of the
effort of extension education is the satisfaction that
comes to the people and their family members as
the result of solving a problem, meeting a need,
acquiring a new skill or some other changes in
behavior. Satisfaction is thus the key to success in
extension work.
●
 The evaluation principle: Extension is based
upon the scientific methodsof development and it
needs constant evaluation. The effectiveness of
the work is measured in terms of the changes
brought about in the knowledge, skills, attitude
and adoption behaviour of Ithe people, but not
merely in terms of achievement of physical
targets.
●
Principle of democratic approach:
Extension education is based upon the
democratic principle of discussions and
suggestions. Participation of people in
extension activities is voluntary and
development interventions are carried out
based on the perceived needs of the people.