Extension and Rural Development
Extension and Rural Development
This section tests extension teaching methods, diffusion and adoption of innovations, participatory rural appraisal, and the roles of extension institutions.
Core rules
- Extension methods are individual (farm visit, telephone call), group (method demonstration, field day, meeting) and mass (radio, television, print, social media).
- Rogers' innovation-decision process runs: knowledge → persuasion → decision → implementation → confirmation.
- Adoption categories are innovators (about 2.5%), early adopters (13.5%), early majority (34%), late majority (34%) and laggards (16%).
- PRA uses tools such as resource maps, transect walks, seasonal calendars and ranking to involve villagers in analysis.
- KVKs provide vocational training and technology demonstration; ATMA coordinates extension at the district level.
Worked example
In a village of 200 farmers, the number of early adopters is estimated at 13.5%. 200 × 0.135 = 27 farmers. The reasoning is to apply the adoption-category percentage to the population, not to the number of innovators.
Mark-losing traps
- Reversing the innovation-decision sequence, especially placing implementation before decision.
- Classifying a method demonstration as a mass method; it is a group method.
- Treating PRA as a formal sample survey with a fixed questionnaire.
- Mixing the percentages for innovators and early adopters.