RECENT APPROACHES OF EXTENSION

Delivered By Akanksha Pandey (Ph.D. Scholar) Department of Agricultural Extension

Today extension is no longer viewed as an agency but as a system that is integral and central to innovation systems and that focuses on facilitating interaction and learning rather than solely on training farmers. CGIAR research on agricultural extension from an innovation systems perspective shows that it has a vital role to play in helping to strengthen capacities to innovate and broker linkages. (Spielman et al. 2011)

• Agricultural extension, or agricultural advisory services, comprises the entire set of organizations that support people engaged in agricultural production and facilitate their efforts to solve problems; link to markets and other players in the agricultural value chain; and obtain information, skills, and technologies to improve their livelihoods. (Birner et al. 2009; Davis 2009)

Changing role of agricultural extension • Reforms in agricultural extension- Government

initiatives• Agri-clinics/Agri-Business Centers• Mass media support to agriculture extension• Scheme of call centers • Group approaches in extension • Farming system approach • Cyber extension • Marketing extension

Reforms in agricultural extension- Government initiatives• Replacement of old single discipline based, commodity oriented approaches like

T&V,NAEP, with the multiagency extension service.

Reforms are to be discussed under the following heads:• Policy Reforms• Institutional Restructuring • Management reforms • Strengthening Research–Extension linkage • Capacity building and skill upgradation • Empowerment of farmers • Mainstreaming of women in agriculture • Use of media and information technology• Financial sustainability• Changing role of government

Policy reforms in public extension services

• State government line departments operated extension (Ag., hort. & livestock development)

• SAU’s based Extension (Directorate of Extension, KVK’s)

• ICAR extension (Zonal Research Station, KVK, ATICs, IVLP, NATP, NAIP etc.)

Public extension services involves:

• Promotion of farmer participatory approaches• Promotion of demand-driven and farmer

accountable extension • Thrust on marketing specialist • Enabling farmers for problem solving skills• Public fund for private extension services

PUBLIC SECTOR EXTENSION

• Majority of the states have their staff upto Block level. Only 6 states have their staff upto the village level and 11 states have extension manpower upto Panchayat level.

• Data from 27 states indicate that 36% of the posts are vacant in the

DoA. Out of the 143863 positions in DoA, 52575 posts are vacant. Only 91288 posts are filled.

(Chandragowda, 2011).

• Most of the extension personnel that are present perform multiple roles. Their visits to the field are irregular as the service is pre occupied with the implementation of government schemes linked to subsidies and subsidized inputs. “Although farmers require information for the whole food and agriculture value chain, the public extension system largely concentrates on on-farm activities” (Glendenning et al, 2010).

Public sector agricultural research and extension in IndiaSource: Balakrishnan et al (2008)

Information flow in the extension activities of State Departments of Agriculture

State Agricultural Universities IGKV DIRECTORATE OF EXTENSION

District Agricultural Advisory Transfer of Technology

Krishi Vigyan Kendra

FARMERS

Agriculture Technology Information Centres

Other farmers

Information flow in Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (IGKV)

• The number of KVKs (Krishi Vigyan Kendra’s) funded by the ICAR has increased during the last few years. In India recently 642 and in C.G. total 20 KVKs.

• KVKs have the mandate of promoting technology application through on-farm trials, demonstrations and training. These activities are implemented by a multi-disciplinary team. Performance of KVKs varies widely.

• ICAR has also established Agricultural Technology and Information Centers (ATICs) in some of the State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) and ICAR institutes mainly to serve as a single window offering the institute’s technology, advice and products.

• Every state now has a State Agricultural Management Extension and Training Institute (SAMETI) at the state level.

• The country has four EEIs (Extension Education Institute) at the regional level and at the national level, the National Institute for Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE) supports capacity development of extension professionals.

Knowledge Transfer through Krishi Vigyan Kendra

ICAR KVK

other farmer

State Agricultural university

NGO’sCentral Research Institute

Farmer

INSTITUTIONAL RESTRUCTURING • Public extension will continue to remain central to

technology dissemination, small & marginal farmers & economically backward region will need to be serviced by it

• For decentralized institutional arrangement which are, demand driven, farmer accountable, bottom up & farming system approach. States have some models like,

• ATMA• ATIC • Panchayat raj institution• SAUs • With supplementation from private sector, media, IT etc.

Information exchange of some agricultural extension approaches in India

Restructuring involves:• Upgrading and restructuring extension staff • Group approach to extension – formation and mobilization of

FIGs, Farmers cooperatives, NGOs & self help group etc.• Straightening research-extension-farmer linkages- location

specific & participatory problem solving extension approach• Promotion of multi agency extension services• Management reforms in extension services-NAEP • Promotion of community base Private extension services • Promotion of NGOs and para professional based extension-

mitra kissan etc.• Improving research-extension linkage and research priorities

setting based on SREP

AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY INFORMATION CENTERS

The Agricultural Technology Information Centre (ATIC) is a “single window” support system linking the various units of a research institution with intermediary users and end users (farmers) in decision making and problem solving exercise.

There are 44 (ATIC) established under ICAR institutes and State Agricultural Universities. The Division is headed by Deputy Director-General (Agricultural Extension) supported by 2 Assistant Director-General.

Objectives :

• To provide a ‘single window’ delivery system for the products and species available from an institution to the farmers and other interested groups as process of innovativeness in Technology Dissemination at the institute level.

• To facilitate direct the farmers access to the institutional resources available in terms of technology, advice, technology products, etc. for reducing technology dissemination losses; and

• To provide mechanism for feedback from the users to the institute

ATMAThe performance of the Scheme under 11th Five Year plan as evaluated from the following facts:-

Coverage: ATMAs have been established in 614 districts of 28 States & 3 Uts

Training of Farmers: As against the target of 23,77,530 man days for training of farmers, a total of 73.36 lakh man days have been achieved.

Demonstrations: As against the target of 4,52,529 beneficiaries through demonstrations, over 10.58 lakh beneficiaries have been covered.

Exposure Visits: The achievement under Exposure Visit of farmers has been tremendous with 32.54 lakh man days achieved against the target of 3,69,694.

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Setting up of Farm Schools: 39,070 Farm Schools have been set up against a target of 47,045.

Mobilization of Farmers Interest Groups: As against a

target of mobilization up of 74,236 FIGs, a total of 89,608 FIGs/CIGs have so far been mobilized. Some of these groups have also been provided with seed money to initiate income generative activities.

Financial: As against an approved outlay of Rs. 1219.10

Crore – R.E. (GOI Share), an expenditure of Rs.1201.70 crore has been achieved during 11th Five year Plan.

Evaluation & Impact Assessment of the Scheme: (Agricultural Finance Corporation) during 2009-10;

• There is manifold increase in the programme of trainings, demonstrations and exposure visits in the sample districts after the launch of the Scheme.

• About 52 per cent of the respondent farmers revealed that they gained knowledge of new practices/ technologies under the scheme.

• About 25 per cent of the farmers felt that there was increase in agricultural production due to ATMA.

• The increase in income from all sources was reported by 27.4 per cent of the sample farmers.

• ATMA programme has made discernible impact in yield increase of up to 20 per cent, diversified production system, adoption of new technologies.

• Farmers using more than 50 per cent of certified seeds were above 16 per cent after ATMA interventions as compared to just less than 1 % before.

Cont….

• The percentage of farmers not using certified seeds at all is about 18 per cent after ATMA intervention which was as high as 35 per cent before ATMA interventions.

• Utility of exposure visits was found to be maximum (95 per cent); followed by demonstration (93 per cent) & trainings (69 per cent).

• Savings in total cost of production was up to 10 per cent in over 95 per cent of farmers and between 10 to 25 per cent for the rest.

• About 25 per cent farmers admitted some increase in agricultural production due to ATMA.

• Private sector extension providers are slowly and gradually assuming role in rendering need based extension services at the grass-root level along with the official agencies.

Capacity building of extension functionaries

Upgrading state level extension management training institutions- autonomy of SMETIs, mass media communication technique, appropriate curricula for training of field staff

Empowerment of farmers

• Involving farmers in setting extension agenda• Implementation of programmes through

farmers user group • Training and acquisition of skills by farmers

Farmer Field Schools

Mainstreaming women in agriculture

• Improving access to extension and training• Redesign extension services to reach women farmers • Expanding the sphere of women extension workers.

National research centre for women in agriculture (1996)National policy for women empowerment budgeting process

& year of women empowerment (2001)Swa shkti (1999) , Swayamsidha (2001), Swawlamban,

Bhartiya Mahila bank (2013)

Use of media and information technology

• The widespread availability and convergence of information and communication technologies (ICTs) – computers, digital networks, telecommunication, television etc.

• In India recent years have led to unprecedented capacity for dissemination of knowledge and information to the rural population.

• Some commonly used ICT applications or tools include: tele-centres, web portals, call centers, mobile phones, community radio, video, and digital photography, GIS, e-mail, audio and video conferencing.

Mass Media Support to Agricultural Extension

• The “Mass Media Support to Agricultural Extension” scheme was initially launched on 21st January, 2004 and the revised scheme was approved by the CCEA on 24.02.2005.

• The objective of the scheme is to disseminate information and knowledge to the farming community in local language/dialect for strengthening the agricultural extension system.

• Under this scheme existing infrastructure of Doordarshan and

All India Radio is being utilized to make the farmers aware about modern farm technologies.

• Farm related programmes of 30 minute duration are being telecast 6 days a week through 1 National, 18 Regional Kendras and 180 High Power/Low Power Transmitters of Doordarshan.

• Similarly, 96 Rural FM Radio Stations of All India Radio are being utilized to broadcast 30 minutes of programme for farmers 6 days a week.

• The Free Commercial Time (FCT) available under Krishi Darshan and Kisanvani programme is being utilized for dissemination of Advisories during Rabi / Kharif and popularizing the central scheme like contingency plan developed by State Governments, emergent issues like drought, flood, credit and insurance and popularization of schemes like Kisan Call Centre, Kisan Credit Card, National Food Security Mission (NFSM) and Minimum Support Price (MSP).

• At the National Level, a number of audio/video spots were produced and broadcast/telecast through 96 FM Stations of AIR under ‘Kisanvani’ programmes through National, 18 Regional & 180 High Power/ Low Power Transmitters (HPTs/LPTs) of Doordarshan during ‘Krishidarshan’, National & Regional News and during entertainment programmes, films, etc.

• The spots were also telecast through Private Channels operating at National & Regional Level during News, entertainment programmes, serials etc telecast during 12.00-7.00 p.m., 7.00 – 8.00 p.m. and 8.00-11.00 p.m.

• Besides audio and video spots of 30-60 seconds duration, advisories and success stories are also being telecast and broadcast.

Number of programmes broadcast/telecast during 11th Plan

Mass Media Programmes

2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

TV National Level 312 312 312 312 312

TV Regional Kendra 4680 4680 4680 4680 4680

TV Narrowcast Kendra 46800 46800 46800 46800 46800

AIR FM Kisanvani 28704 28704 29952 29952 29952

Total 80496 80496 81744 81744 81744

Source: Planning commission of India

Financial Status 2007-08 to 2011-12

Financialdetails

2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 Total

BE 8400.00 8700.00 8700.00 10000.00 15000.00 50800.00

RE 7851.00 10565.00 9708.00 2209.40 17707.00 48040.4

Actual exp

7973.01 9215.43 9707.81 21490.00 17701.00 66087.25

(Rs. in lakh)

Source: Planning commission of India

Kisan Call Centres (KCC)• To harness the potential of ICT in agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture

took the initiative of launching an innovative scheme “Kisan Call Centers” on 21st January, 2004 aimed at offering solutions to farmers’ queries on a telephone call.

• These Kisan Call Centres (KCCs) are presently operating in 25 locations covering all the States & UTs with 144 Call Center Agents engaged therein answering farmers’ queries in their language.

• Farmers from any part of the country can access KCC by dialing toll free number 1800-180-1551 from 6.00 A.M to 10.00 P.M. on all 7 days a week.

• This number is accessible through mobile/landline numbers of all telecom networks, even private service providers.

Year Total calls received

2003-04 221184

2004-05 647743

2005-06 591669

2006-07 602249

2007-08 589781

2008-09 623293

2009-10 928354

2010-11 2043636

2011-12 1541138

Total 77,89,047

Source: Planning commission of India

Evaluation of the Past Performance

• 84 percent of the farmers who called the KCCs expressed overall satisfaction from the advice provided through the helpline and implement the advice received from the KCCs in their first call.

• Evidence of farmers’ satisfaction is growing with repeat calls made by farmers to the KCCs.

• The advice enabled the farmers to take timely decisions in control of pests, weeds and diseases and judicious use of fertilizer.

• The highest value of the benefit reported by one of the farmers in Maharashtra was Rs.1,50,000 while the farmer in Madhya Pradesh reported a benefit of Rs.50,000 from their first call to the KCC.

• About 34 per cent of the sample farmers were willing to make a token fee payment for advice from KCCs.

Source: Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI), Hyderabad 2007

GROUP APPROACH IN EXTENSION • Socially and culturally Indian farmers live collectively,

their decision and action performed in groups.

• Self help group and farmers interest group

A group of people coming together for attaining a common goal like seed production, marketing agricultural produce, sharing of water, regular saving and meeting emergence credit needs of the group etc. from SHG/FIG

Features of SHG and FIG• Homogeneity• Common goal• Mutual help• Collective action• Based on agreement of group members• Bank account of the group• Timely saving and repayment • Size should be 10 to 20• Avoid confusion• Avoid management difficulties• Ensure participation of all members• Facilitate effective and regular interaction

Some models of SHGs • Bank- SHG-Members

Banks

Promote, train and provide credit

SHGs

• Bank- Facilitator-SHGs (NGOs as Facilitator)

NGOs Promote, train and help in developing linkage with bank SHGs

Banks

Farming system approach • Farming system approach envisages the integration of agro

forestry, horticulture, dairy, sheep and goat rearing, fishery, poultry, pigeon, biogas, mushroom, sericulture and by-product utilization of crops with the main goal of increasing the income and standard of living of small and marginal farmers.

Why Farming Systems Approach • To develop farm – house hold systems and rural

communities on a sustainable basis • To improve efficiency in farm production• To raise farm and family income • To increase welfare of farm families and satisfy basic

needs.

Methodology adopted for grounding the concept of FSA

Farming System Approach is a holistic approach, complex in nature, interrelated of components, matrix of soils, plants, animals, power, implements, labour, capital and other inputs, influenced by political, economic, institutional and social forces.

I. Identification of major socio-economic situationsII. Understanding the modifications made in existing

farming system by innovative farmersIII. New options recommended by the Researchers/

Extensionists

Continue.

IV. Economic analysis of recommended options and working out alternatives

v. In the absence of any recommendations, work out an alternate model by fine tuning the existing model (without major changes) considering the resources, market, profitability and sustainability

Carryout SWOT analysis in respect of different Farming Systems.

• Current strengths within existing farming systems and success stories

• Weaknesses within the existing farming systems,• Opportunities, which are advantageous for optimal

exploitation of the existing farming systems in terms of providing, scope for new market opportunities, new technologies, services etc.

• Real potential threats to the natural resource base, existing farming systems and markets etc.

Public private partnership • Privatization approach wherein govt. grants private entity

authority to provide a particular service within specific area.

• The concept of PPP in Agricultural Extension Management was first introduced in Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh during 2001 where the Department of Agriculture, Government of Madhya Pradesh and Dhanuka Group joined together.

• The National Institute of Agricultural Extension and Management (MANAGE) provided the conceptual framework and facilitated this PPP initiative. (Chandrashekara, et al, 2006).

Public-Private Partnership:

• example, in Tamil Nadu, some agriclinics are owned by

cooperative banks and employ an agricultural graduate to run the clinic, while other graduates run their agriclinics independently.

• Other extension programs, including KVK, ATMA, and Panchayati Raj institutions, will provide surprise or periodic visit reports submitted to the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) or the financing bank or ATMA office (Gupta 2010).

Private-sector Extension: e-Choupal

Integrated Agricultural Research for Development schematic

Source: A. Okyere and Davis 2009

Establishment of Agri-Clinics & Agri-Business Centres (ACABC)

• The Central Sector Scheme implementation since 2002

• The scheme promotes the involvement of agri-preneurs to supplement the efforts of public extension system by way of setting - up of agri-ventures in agriculture and allied areas.

• These agri-preneurs are actively involved in providing advisory, extension services including know-how to the farmers at grass root level besides input infrastructure, processing and machinery support.

Objectives of the Scheme:a)To create gainful self-employment opportunities to

unemployed agricultural graduates, agricultural diploma holders, intermediate in agriculture and science graduates with PG in agri related courses.

b) To support agriculture development; and

c)To supplement efforts of public extension by necessarily providing extension and other services to farmers on payment basis or free of cost as per business model of agri-preneur, local needs and affordability of target group of farmers.

Information flow in the Agri-Clinic program

State Agricultural university Training Institute Agriclinics

Cooperative Banks Input dealers

• Revised Financial Norms of Training: Training cost has been enhanced to Rs.35000 per trainee for two month duration programme. Besides, an additional 10 per cent amount on food, accommodation, honorarium, training expenditure and handholding cost has been provided in NE and Hill States.

• Change from capital & interest subsidy to composite subsidy: Subsidy pattern has been revised from existing “capital and interest subsidy” to “composite subsidy”, which will be 44% of project cost for women, SC/ST & all categories of candidates from NE and Hill States and 36% of project cost for others.

• Ceiling cost of the projects: Cost ceiling of projects is enhanced to Rs.20 lakh for individual’s project and to Rs.100 lakh for a group project (minimum of five individuals).

Physical and financial achievements

Since inception of the said scheme (April 2002), a total number of 28244 candidates have been trained and 10743 ventures have been established in 32 categories of activities in the country till March 2012.

IssuesProgress under the Scheme is not uniform in all the States across the country. The success is largely limited to Uttar Pradesh (2461 ventures set up till March 2012), followed by Maharashtra (2388), Tamil Nadu (1075), Karnataka (928), Bihar (874) and Rajasthan (824).

Extension Education Institutes (EEIs)Four Extension Education Institutes (EEIs) have been

established on regional basis as detailed below:• EEI, Nilokheri (Northern Region) started in 1959• EEI, Hyderabad (Southern Region) started in 1962• EEI, Anand (Western Region) started in 1962• EEI, Jorhat (East & North East Region) started in 1987Specific Objectives:i. To provide in-service training to the staff of the

State/Regional Training Centers in extension and communication methodology.

ii. To organize workshops on training methods / communication techniques for master trainers.

iii. To conduct training programmes in specialized fields like monitoring and evaluation supervision and extension management for middle level extension functionaries.

iv. To conduct subject matter and extension education training programmes.

v. To demonstrate most effective education teaching procedures.

EEIs were specifically established to meet the training requirement in the field of Communication Technology, Extension Methodology, Training Management, Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), Management of Agricultural Information System, etc. extension functionaries of State Development Departments on a continuing basis.

Financial & Physical Progress Report:Year Financial Progress(Rs. in

lakh)Physical Progress

BE Expenditure No. of Courses No. Trained

2007-08 409.00 290.03 83 1515

2008-09 409.00 364.81 107 2038

2009-10 435.00 539.13 145 3082

2010-11 680.50 815.41 156 3484

2011-12 870.00 613.00 168 2649

Total 2803.50 2622.38 659 12768

Source: Planning commission of India

Model Training Courses (MTCs)• Model Training Courses are being implemented since 1996

and emphasizes demand driven capacity building of extension functionaries of the State Development Departments.

• MTCs are of national character and offer training courses in specialized areas in all agriculture and allied activities.

• MTCs are very cost effective as the training infrastructure and specialists of SAUs and ICAR institutes are used for imparting training.

• This Model Training Course of 8 days duration organized by selected SAUs, ICAR Institutes and Central Institutes.

THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF “MODEL TRAINING COURSES (MTCS) ARE:

• To improve the professional competence, upgrade the knowledge and technical skills of extension functionaries;

• To provide an opportunity of experience sharing, problem solving and interaction between experts and extension functionaries.

CYBER EXTENSION • Extension over space • Using the power of online networks, computer

communications, and digital interactive multimedia to facilitate dissemination of agricultural technology.

Examples; • Village information shop- Dr. M.S. Swaminathan

research foundation, Chennai• Information –Village, MANAGE• Gyandoot , Dhar M.P. • Warna Wired Villages , National Informatics Center, MH

Cyber extension: The process1. Develop state-of-the-Art Infrastructure to connect key

stakeholders;Providing telephone, Internet, SATCOM, Video conferencing, connectivity to all states, SAMETIs, Dist., Block, SAUs, zonal research stations and KVKs. Create ICT training and consultancy infrastructure

2. Creating ICT awareness in all developmental deptt.3. Create information packaging mechanism at key participating

agencies 4. Network with e-Governance initiative of concerned state/dist.5. Create a Nodal cell in Each state to Monitor the progress of cyber

extension 6. Identify a national coordinating agency

MARKETING EXTENSION

• Key factor in enlightening the farmers about proper marketing & removal of marketing constraints.

• Process includes harvesting techniques, transactional method, standardization & grading, packaging, transport, storage, processing, selling of produce, marketing credit, delivery of product, payment etc.

Some issues:Group action Direct marketing – e.g. Apni Mandi in Punjab & Haryana, Rythu

Bajar in Andhra etc.Marketing credit – promotion of self help group in marketing,

microfinance of NABARD so that working with farmers & enabling them for proper marketing.

Advice on improved market practicesProcessing and value addition Problem solving methodsMarketing capacity building- according to interest of farmers Advice on product planning- selection of crop, varieties to

withstand in competitive market Marketing information – through internet & other audio –

visual facilities provide area, crop, Bayer specific information Securing markets for farming –advice on govt. procurement

prices and contract farmingAdvice on alternate market - to avoid gluts, advised to take

benefit of warehousing with pledge finance scheme and contract or future trading

Advice on improved marketing practicesAdvice on establishing and operating markets- provision

training, visit (distant wholesale & terminal market) of rural population to save them from exploitation.

Need for wider reach in private sector – NGOs, cooperatives, trade association, private limited companies & corporate bodies should be allowed & encourage to undertake marketing extension

Data base on marketing – micro level research, training & extension in every dist.

Training in agricultural marketing- major thrust to agri-business management, WTO & its application, standardization & quality assurance, organic food marketing etc

Extension issues in new economic regime • Trade intelligence- include information about potential market,

potential competitor their weakness & strength, market behaviour under current demand & supply prospects, international price & trade scenario is to be compiled & supplied to extension personnel.

• Macro policies on tariff- actual price depends upon tree factors

viz. wholesale price in given market, transaction & transport cost & rate of tariff. Govt. policy on tariff for own country and potential trading countries is essential.

• Information on Trade agreement- extension personnel should trained about various trade agreement & subsequent changes in this for creating proper awareness among farming community to face the changing world.

• Importance of patenting- extension system should help in documentation & recording of traditional knowledge, bio-resource and their uses.

• Agent of export promotion- to educate farmers about

international standards, pesticide residues, hygienic handling and processing etc.

• Mobilization of group action- small scale individual producer may not take advantages of export opportunities so that organized marketing by farmers organization.

• Providing feedback to system• Promoting E-Agriculture

Mission statement

“National Mission on Agricultural Extension shall support the state governments, local bodies & institutions for enhancing their capacity and institutionalizing structures & mechanisms for a knowledge-driven, accountable, decentralized, broad-based & participatory programme planning & implementation to facilitate farmers, farmwomen & youth to achieve economic, food, nutritional & environmental security and thus achieve Plan objective of faster, sustainable and more inclusive agricultural growth”

Mission Structure

1. Joint Secretary (Extension) & Extension Commissioner as mission leader

2. Mission will have appropriately constituted General Council and Executive Council at the national level and supporting structures at the state and the district levels

3. MANAGE to support mission implementation and monitoring at National Level and EEIs & Zonal Project Directorates at regional level.

4. Mini Missions to be located in MANAGE or with relevant partner institutions

5. SAMETIs and the Directorate of Extension of SAUs, ATMAs / KVKs to support mission implementation at State and District levels respectively

• A CGIAR meta-analysis of 292 research studies found median rates of return of 58 percent for investments in advisory services (Alston et al. 2000; Dercon et al. 2008).

• The situation assessment survey of farmers conducted during the 59th round of the National Sample Survey (NSSO, 2005) provided valuable insights into reach of extension services across India.

• The data collected from 51,770 households in 6638 villages showed that sixty percent of farmer households did not access any information on modern technology that year.

• For the farmers who accessed information, progressive farmers and the input dealers were the main source of information.

• Broadcast media was also used a great deal to obtain information, which included radio, television and newspapers.

• The public sector extension worker was a source of information for only 5.7 % of farmer households interviewed and the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) accounted as an extension source for only 0.7% of the sample farmers.

• Private and NGO extension services were accessed by only 0.6%. The farmer household assessment surveys conducted by the International Food Policy.

The number of extension personnel per operational holding and net cropped area, selected States in number and hectaresS.N. States Number

of extensionPersonnel

Number ofoperational

holdings/extensionPersonnel

Net croppedarea/extension

personnel(in hectares)

1 Andhra Pradesh 4167 3162 26082 Assam 2779 979 991

3 Bihar 10231 1583 5534 Chhattisgarh 4313 869 1092

5 Gujarat 3501 1353 27996 Himachal Pradesh 1084 886 499

7 Haryana 3019 536 11848 Jammu and Kashmir 5812 249 127

9 Jharkhand 4129 656 36410 Karnataka 3226 2428 3154

11 Kerala 3933 1737 531

12 Madhya Pradesh 10775 823 1387

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S.N. States Number of extensionPersonnel

Number of operationalholdings/extension

Personnel

Net cropped area / extension personnel

(in hectares)

13 Punjab 10775 823 1387

14 Maharashtra 15770 869 1105

15 Orissa 3794 1230 1477

16 Punjab 1398 753 2982

17 Rajasthan 5495 1254 3194

18 Tamil Nadu 8320 976 606

19 Uttar Pradesh 12976 1767 1265

20 Uttarakhand 1031 885 731

21 West Bengal 6164 1156 859

All India 119048 1156 1187

Source: Information on human resources from the Desk Survey of the Department of Agriculture and Co-operation and the Agricultural Census, 2007.

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