| Agricultural Productivity gains through capacity | | | | Four paradigms of Agricultural extension consists |
| building, eco-friendly farming and Extension | | | | of Technology transfer, prevalent since colonial |
| Education Reforms | | | | times & later National Agriculture Extension |
| | | | Project (NAEP), reshaped in 1970-80 as Training |
| DIRECTOR EXTENSION EDUCATION AND | | | | and visit system across Asia. It involved top |
| DIRECTOR SAMETI,SKUAST-K,SHALIMAR POST | | | | down approach. Its role needs discussion. The |
| GPO 461 SRINAGAR-KASHMIR. Home page. Email | | | | second paradigm called as Advisory work is what |
| Phones 09419095342 09419409546 | | | | is present system of extension, where, |
| ABSTRACT | | | | government agencies, NGO and technical |
| Agricultural Production has entered new era of | | | | industries respond to farmers enquiries which we |
| competitive-low-cost globally oriented enterprise. | | | | call advisory role. The third paradigm consists of |
| The cost-benefit ratio decide the mode of | | | | Human Resource Development. This innovation |
| Farming. Global marketing needs some changes at | | | | helped Europe and North America. The Universities |
| base level. Farmers have to be cost conscious | | | | gave training to rural youth. It is these educated, |
| and need new strategies of mixing various | | | | trained youth which became future farmers in |
| farming option like Agriculture, Horticulture, | | | | developed countries. What is known as outreach |
| Livestock husbandry and Floriculture activities. A | | | | system of colleges and universities is still unknown |
| new model for incorporating all these fields in an | | | | in our Agricultural Research system including State |
| eco-friendly mode is discussed. Appropriate mixed | | | | Agriculture Universities. A half hearted attempt as |
| technology in tune with natural resources needed | | | | Agri-business Agri-clinical is still to be backed with |
| at the moment in India.. An agricultural mission for | | | | University, research, banking and economic |
| efficient Resource management should aim at | | | | support. Is it which can help us to increase |
| bridging gap between current farm yield and | | | | productivity in India or Asia needs consideration? |
| potential Farm yield. Use of bio-technology and | | | | (Wani, 2008). |
| bio-informatics for identification of economically | | | | Technology adoption and |
| viable cropping options and combinations can not | | | | Impact |
| be ruled out ,however soil and environmental | | | | The impact of |
| preservation must be kept in mind while using | | | | National Agricultural Research Project (NARP) |
| biotech farming options. We should talk of | | | | (1986-92) revealed that technologies generated |
| Eco-conducive-germplasm-base instead of high | | | | were few and adoption rate was not high, even |
| productive - germplasm, un-competable to our | | | | then an estimated monetary benefit of Rs.2000/ |
| natural resources. All these and other aspects of | | | | per hectare was observed. Low relationship |
| future agricultural scenario in India is discussed in | | | | between technologies developed and adopted |
| these pages. India with 1.09 billion people and 60% | | | | demands a mixed farming technology capsule as |
| of them dependent on agriculture can not be | | | | 65% of our farmer’sare small and marginal |
| leveled with USA who has merely339 million | | | | farmers. This needs a total shift to left in our |
| people and only 0.7 of them dependent or | | | | agricultural extension methodology. (Reddy 2001, |
| agriculture. Therefore the past trend of aping | | | | wani, 2008 a b c). T & V programme |
| USA OR EU models of agricultural development | | | | initiated with central assistance in state has |
| won’t help. We have to innovate new ways | | | | aroused all round technological awareness among |
| and means conducive to our agrarian conditions | | | | agricultural experts. Its dialogue and technology |
| and available resource to increase our food | | | | transfer from University (Scientists) to experts |
| production for growing population in future. Some | | | | agricultural extension workers was nearly total |
| of the original thoughts of the author published as | | | | revolution. |
| e-papers are reproduced here to suggest new | | | | The (ZAREC) Zonal |
| innovative models. | | | | Agricultural advisory Research and Extension |
| a) Change of mind set We will | | | | counseling was the best plate form to discuss |
| need a change in the mechanism of technology | | | | main issues impeding agricultural development. The |
| dissemination thus a reformation model for | | | | missionary publication of production |
| extension education in India is proposed in these | | | | recommendations helps a lot in transfer of |
| pages. More than 50% of our practicing farmers | | | | technology. The presentation of production |
| are women who are not exposed to technology | | | | recommendations in local language is helpful in |
| new or old, thus a system of their capacity | | | | increasing productivity in many countries. (Wani, |
| building and skill up-gradation shall be focused | | | | 2004) Brinjal production technology adoption in |
| Agricultural and allied technologies tested and | | | | Parbani, Mahrastra was the result of social |
| available in India have been the replications of | | | | participation, risk management guarantee, |
| commercial farming ventures of the west. I would | | | | marketing orientation, information websites and |
| dare to blame our policy planners for this | | | | communication methods. (Dudhak et al 2003). |
| vulnerable state de-affairs. They professed | | | | Various limitation of transport, extension staff |
| chemical farming when we were world leaders of | | | | were the reasons of poor productivity gains in |
| organics In the past century when whole world | | | | Malakhand agency of Pakistan. (Mohamad et al, |
| faced the ill effects of chemical farming we are | | | | 2003). |
| busy in advocating our forgotten options which | | | | The adoption of legume |
| luckily are still existing in deep and uncommunicable | | | | production technologies under Jhodpur arid |
| pockects of our country called backward | | | | conditions was low. The problems as indicated by |
| pockects. Our research need a change from | | | | farmers were small farm size. Small holder farmer |
| individual crop or commodity farming research to | | | | was less interested to adopt these technologies. |
| mixed farming approaches .My mohy model of | | | | Non existence of market and pricing policy, risk of |
| 1992 is being quoted withmohy model of 1992 is | | | | failure, feeding habits, social taboo and lack of |
| being quoted with out reference quite often by | | | | Post Harvest Technology (PHT) were identified. |
| those whose hollowness of innovative ideas is | | | | (Yadev et al, 2003). Proper guidance or |
| responsible for our defective policies. | | | | information support was the major constraint in |
| b).Unfinished agenda | | | | adoption of improved Wheat cultivation in |
| needs,aims and goals | | | | Himachal Pradesh. It contributed to 16.8% |
| Needs | | | | non-adoption rate among farmers. Other |
| 1 . Appropriate mixed technology in | | | | contributory factors were technological |
| tune with natural resources. | | | | unawareness (13.33%) sloppy land (11.31%), farm |
| 2. An agricultural mission for efficient | | | | input cost (9.41%), non availability of irrigation |
| Resource management, bridging gap between | | | | (8.29%) and lack of inputs (7.95%) (Puran chand |
| current farm yield and potential Farm yield. | | | | et al, 2001). |
| 3. Use of bio-technology and | | | | Social Structure and |
| bio-informatics for identification of economically | | | | Technology adoption Schedule caste farmers in |
| viable cropping options and combinations. | | | | Maharastra have low level of rice technology |
| Emphasis | | | | adoption. Among 150 such farmers only 12.6% |
| We should talk of | | | | had high adoption rate (Mankar et al,2004). |
| Eco-conducive-germplasm-base instead of high | | | | Adoption of production recommendations of |
| productive - germplasm, un-competable with our | | | | Cashew in Maharastra’s Sindhubrug district |
| natural resources. Economic Farming which means | | | | was 58% (Bhairamkar et al, 2004). Motto of |
| cost effective use of Soil Water resources No air | | | | extension programmes should be reach to |
| water pollution | | | | unreached, teach to un-teached, be known to |
| c). NUTRIENT RECYCLING SYSTEM OPTIONS | | | | unknown (Ganesan et al, 2003) (Wani, 1998). |
| The chemical fertilizers are to be | | | | Agricultural productivity in Czch Republic increased |
| replaced by use of agricultural waste materials, | | | | when information and communication in extension |
| Plant residues, aquatic weeds, left out materials, | | | | system was improved for small scale farmers |
| post harvest wastes, green manure, rainy season | | | | (Slavik, 2003). |
| over grown vegetation, or abundant vegetation, | | | | A survey conducted among 120 |
| green weeds, city drains, human excreta, animal | | | | farmers in Karnool district, Andhra Pradesh, India, |
| manure, forest wastes, agriculture left out | | | | revealed that education, social participation, |
| substances, bio-mass, bio-fertilizers, stall wastes | | | | scientific orientation, risk management, mass |
| & even pigeon beats etc. Nutrient cycling | | | | media exposure, economic and market orientation |
| system has to be evolved first by analysing soil | | | | were positively and significantly correlated with |
| status of each agro-climatic zone . The integrated | | | | the extent of adoption of recommended hybrid |
| nutrient management system, has to be evolved. | | | | jowar (sorghum) seed practices by the farmers. |
| A new, refined, Govt-agri policy is needed. New | | | | Majority of the farmers (43.33%) had a medium |
| Institutional support system, excellent marketing | | | | level of the adoption of the recommended |
| networks are to be proposed. For efficient land | | | | practices. (Kumar et al, 2005). It is suggested that |
| use we must wed traditional wisdom with | | | | five categories of factors determine the adoption |
| improved technology, farmers training and | | | | of irrigation systems and are the keys to |
| profitable end products. We should advocate: a). | | | | designing relevant, effective and innovative |
| Use of information technology to increase profits | | | | irrigation extension programmes among |
| from overall farming; cropping, animal aquaculture | | | | horticulturalists. |
| etc. b) Analysis of available data on processing, | | | | The five categories of |
| production and its documentation for use in | | | | factors are : Soil type and topography ; crop |
| project preparation, policy formulation is a basic | | | | quality; sowing time; saving water and crop yield |
| necessity. | | | | (Kaine & Beswell, 2005). We in J&K |
| A new sensitive laboratory | | | | under SREP Strategic Research extension plan of |
| facility is envisioned for input and output quality | | | | Districts notice lack of information on sowing time, |
| assessment. c) Agriculture of today does not | | | | seed rate and fertilizer application in almost all the |
| mean more production at environment cost but | | | | crops. Seed treatment awareness helped farmers |
| efficient and economic production with | | | | to combat paddy blast (Wani, 2006, 2007). |
| Environmental safeguards. INTRODUCTION Our | | | | Innovative Change Methodologies for analysis of |
| 65% employment base is agriculture & its | | | | farming system, options for development & |
| allied sectors like livestock We. Need in future : ? | | | | sustainable eco-friendly farm science technology |
| Food and environment security ? Employment | | | | are the needs of the houhour. We do have |
| generation through agrobased industry. ? | | | | subject-matter-specialists, but the agents for |
| Economic , balanced and hygienic food with original | | | | evaluating the composite effect of various |
| taste. and flavours. We are in a phase of cultural | | | | discipline oriented technology cover is yet to be |
| and economic transit. This transformation Process | | | | structured. This is exactly where we should |
| brings, New livelihood options, New production | | | | intervene and restructure the discipline, |
| & utilization system Changed life styles | | | | programmes and divisions of extension education |
| & cultural habits | | | | in the country. Infact a total change from existing |
| I do not know how many of | | | | slow action, low innovative, conventional and |
| us know about USDA’s national Arboretum of | | | | disintegrated extension system has to be refined |
| Washington DC A 444 acre arboretum now has | | | | into analytic , managemental , social, economical, |
| dropped pesticide use by 75% during 1992-96. | | | | marketable system, so that the whole technology |
| They call it new land scope pest Management (NL | | | | transfer could be evaluated in terms of |
| PM). It was simple spot spraying i.e spray right | | | | productivity and monetory gains per hectare. |
| where it is needed, i.e on diseased twig or branch | | | | Different cropping and |
| or plant and only if it is needed. This shift from | | | | livestock patterns and combinations need to be |
| blanket spraying to selected sprays saved 75% | | | | evaluated & monitored. The impact analysis |
| of pesticide cost; other saving was through | | | | of wide range of Agricultural technology transfer |
| reduced labour cost and eco-risk factors. | | | | be it training, entrepreneurship or agri business is |
| We need safe equipments | | | | needed, both before and after technology |
| and labour health monitoring and analysis of data. | | | | application. The available research results have to |
| Another area which needs attention is use of less | | | | pierce the farmers farming practices. Non - |
| toxic pesticides. We call them bio-rational | | | | adoption is the result of our low productivity levels |
| pesticides. They reduce cost by 12-32% and | | | | per unit of land. Inspite of tremendous yield gains |
| consist of Horticulture oils insecticidal soaps, insect | | | | the per unit profitability has not raised the |
| growth regulators and predators. | | | | economic conditions of our farmers. |
| We talk of trainings for Information | | | | Our farm economy still fluctuates |
| analysis, monitoring disaster, Management of | | | | between season’s, rainy years and among |
| floods droughts. Use of remote sensing and Global | | | | regions. Now for any widespread gains from |
| positioning system is needed. We in developing | | | | technology, it is essential to know its impact and |
| countries in future will have Industrial expansion, | | | | adoptability rate. It is therefore necessary to |
| and more economic security..This will mean less | | | | develop new technologies after considering |
| people being attracted to agriculture or in other | | | | socio-organizational arrangements, local existing |
| words agriculture becoming less renumerative. We | | | | soil, water, human needs and resources. The local |
| need improved varieties, their rapid propagation | | | | skills need to be known and refinement is made |
| through biotechnological use. We may have little | | | | to improve profitability. Our experience under |
| options not to use biotech agriculture or mend | | | | IVLP showed a net productivity gains of 2 q/hac |
| fences between traditional, optional and modern | | | | in rice production by improving local village driven |
| biotechniques. | | | | plough. Similar innovative ideas local technologies |
| This is where we talk now of | | | | with improved or exotic one gave good results in |
| molecular farming, using biotechnology for more | | | | development of profitable farming . (Wani, |
| transgenic crops . animals, aquaculture and, | | | | 2004,2003, |
| commercial floriculture. New issues in agricultural | | | | Suggested References: |
| and other sciences in India are: | | | | Badri-OA; 2001. School of Rural Extension |
| 1. Develop data base for patent | | | | Education and Development, Ahfad University for |
| formulations | | | | Women, Omdurman, Sudan. 18:1, 35-50; 20. |
| 2. We need replacement of top | | | | Balasubramanian and Thamizoli, 2003, Social |
| down planning with gross root planning. | | | | differentiation in the horizontal transfer of |
| 3 More farmer’s participation | | | | knowledge: a case study from south India, J.of |
| with reduced risks . | | | | Agri.Edu.and Extn.2003, 9:2,51-60;3. |
| 4 Research in past, centered on | | | | Bharali et al, 2004. Influences of extracellular |
| improved seeds, irrigation, chemical use. We | | | | calcium and iron on membrane sensitivity to |
| witnessed green revolution, freedom from hunger, | | | | bisulphite in the mosses.Jr. of Bryology, vol.26No.1 |
| but harmed environment. we have to look for | | | | of March 2004, pp 53-59 |
| alternate options for the execution of research. | | | | Carrasco et al, 2003, Absorbing the shocks: the |
| 5. Extension education ,dissemination | | | | case of food security, extension and the |
| of information to farmer has to be the first | | | | agricultural knowledge and information system in |
| concern of the public and private establishments | | | | Haryana, Cuba.Journal of Agri. Edu.Extn. 2003, |
| and planners. Birds eye viewers have to be | | | | 9:3,93-102;9. |
| replaced with visionary professors and | | | | Davis et al, 2004, Extending technologies among |
| professionals. | | | | small-scale farmers in Meru, Kenya: ingredients for |
| 6. Farmer. farming and farm business | | | | success in farmer groups.Jol.of Agri.Edu.and |
| shall be the First ranking scientific persuit investing | | | | Extn.2004;10(2):53-62. |
| at least an equivalent amount on it as is spend on | | | | Ganesan et al, 2003,Reaching the unreached: |
| health or nuclear establishments,. | | | | basics of extension education, Tamil Nadu |
| Our policy should be | | | | Agri.University, Coimbatore -641 003, India. |
| Independent and self conscious farmers, with | | | | Reaching the unreached: basics of Extn.Edu. |
| records of annual balances, gains and losses, risks | | | | 2003:xii+387. |
| and benefits. | | | | Kaine and Beswell, 2005, An innovative approach |
| BOTTOM LINE CHALLENGE | | | | to irrigation extension in horticulture, Acta |
| Bring self- reliant proud farmer | | | | –Horticulture.2005; (672): 177-183. |
| trained & well versed in Agri-business | | | | Khalache and Khaire, 2007, Social-ersonal and |
| Farmers need awareness on | | | | socio-economic characteristics of the fig growers |
| Farming concepts and international | | | | and information sources used by them in fig |
| zoo-phytosanitation recommendations and | | | | cultivation technology, International J. of |
| regulations. | | | | Agri.Sci.2007;3(1):258-20. |
| We need to stop WTO restrictions or | | | | Kibwana- OT, 2000. Bringing together local and |
| options till our farming and farmers are not | | | | outside knowledge for innovation in land husbandry |
| completely knowledge driven and economically | | | | in Tanzania and Ethopia – a comparative case |
| resourceful to face the global farming | | | | study. Jr. of Agri. Edu. & Extn. 7:3, 133-1 |
| competitions. | | | | . |
| PARADIGMS OF AGRI-EXTENSION. IN INDIA. | | | | |