EXT 202: Fundamentals of Agricultural Extension
Credit Hours: 3 (2+1)
Full Marks: 75 (Theory: 50, Practical: 25)
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course, students will:
- Understand the concepts, principles, philosophy, objectives, methods, and systems of education and extension education.
- Apply agricultural extension knowledge to farming communities effectively.
I. Syllabus Overview
- Education and Extension Education: meaning, types, objectives, role in agricultural development
- Principles, philosophy, and methods of extension education
- Historical perspective, scope, organizational setup, and methods of extension education
- Teaching-learning process, transfer of technology, program planning, local leadership, monitoring, and evaluation
- Role of Land Grant System (LGS), agriculture colleges, and universities in extension programs
II. Course Outline
A. Lecture Topics (30 Lectures)
| S.N. | Topic | No. of Lectures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Meaning, concept, definition, objective of education | 1 |
| 2 | Formal, Informal, and Non-formal education: nature, role, characteristics | 1 |
| 3 | Meaning, concept, definition of Extension Education | 1 |
| 4 | History of Extension Education | 1 |
| 5 | Principle and philosophy of Extension Education | 1 |
| 6 | Scope, objective, and role of extension in agriculture development | 1 |
| 7 | Fundamental concepts of psychology of teaching-learning process | 1 |
| 8 | Theory, law, and principles of teaching-learning | 1 |
| 9 | Extension teaching methods & audio-visual aids; classification: individual, group, mass methods | 3 |
| 10 | History and present approaches of Agricultural Extension in Nepal | 1 |
| 11 | Contemporary Agricultural Extension Approaches | 1 |
| 12 | Innovation diffusion process | 1 |
| 13 | Categories and characteristics of adopters in innovation decisions | 1 |
| 14 | Major functions of extension in transfer of technology | 1 |
| 15 | Concept of sustainable agricultural technology | 1 |
| 16 | Privatization of Agri-Extension: concept, reasons, role of public-private system | 1 |
| 17 | Elements of private extension system and strategies for privatization | 1 |
| 18 | Basic concept of leader, types, and leadership development | 1 |
| 19 | Selection, utilization, and role of local leaders in rural development programs | 1 |
| 20 | Program Planning in Agricultural Extension: concept, meaning, scope, objectives, principles, types, levels, steps of planning cycle | 3 |
| 21 | Basic concept of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of extension programs | 1 |
| 22 | Methods, techniques, and approaches in M&E of agricultural development programs | 1 |
| 23 | Major institutions providing extension/advisory services in the country | 1 |
| 24 | Sharing, linkage, and partnership of agricultural extension system services | 1 |
| 25 | Role, function, and organizational setup of Land Grant System (LGS) of University | 1 |
| 26 | Principles and functions of Agriculture College and University in agricultural development | 1 |
| Total | 30 |
B. Practical Topics (15 Sessions)
| S.N. | Practical Activities | No. of Practicals |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Preparation of farm-level production plan (simulated crop & livestock production) | 2 |
| 2 | Interaction visits & meetings to study program planning process, plan of work, organizational setup, functions, responsibilities: | 1 |
| 2a | DADO/DLS and DIO | 1 |
| 2b | LDO, Financial Institutions | 1 |
| 2c | NARC | 1 |
| 2d | ASC and Farmerβs Group | 1 |
| 3 | Interaction visit with I/NGO/CBOs/Cooperatives/Private sectors and their local groups; study program planning & implementation | 1 |
| 4 | Preparation of general community-level production plan (field crops, fruits, vegetables, livestock β selective/simulated) | 1 |
| 5 | Visit & interaction with commercial farmer groups formed by: | 1 |
| 5a | DADO for extension program | 1 |
| 5b | PRA, RRA | 1 |
| 5c | Problem Censing and Problem Solving Techniques | 1 |
| 6 | Conduct village-level agricultural extension research (proposal writing to report presentation) | 2 |
| Total | 15 |
References
- Van Den Ban, A. W., & Hawkins, H. S. (1988). Agricultural Extension. Longman Scientific & Technical, USA.
- Dongol, B. B. S. (2004). Extension Education. Prativa Singh Dongol Printers, Kathmandu, Nepal.
- Kumar, B., & Hansra, B. H. (2000). Extension Education for Human Resource Development. Concept Publishing, New Delhi.
- Dasgupta, D. (2008). Extension Education: Core Contents and Emerging Areas. Agrobios, Jodhpur, India.
- Ray, J. L. (1999). Extension Communication and Management (4th ed.). Naya Prakash, India.
- Mosher, A. T. (1978). An Introduction to Agricultural Extension. ADC, New York.
- Dahama, O. P., & Bhatnagar, O. P. (1998). Education and Communication for Development. Oxford & IBH, New Delhi.
- Oakley, P., & Garforth, C. (1985). A Guide to Extension Training. University of Reading, UK.
- Roling, N. (1988). Extension Science: Information Systems in Agricultural Development. Cambridge University Press, New York.
- Swanson, B. E. (Ed.) (1984). Agricultural Extension: A Reference Manual (2nd ed.). FAO, Rome.
