Agricultural extension is now a common activity in most countries of the world, and it is a basic element in programmes and projects formulated to bring about change in rural areas.
AES are aimed at implementing projects for change in the agricultural sector collaborating with the farmers.
Extension services are carried out by extension workers or extension agents.
Extension agents helps in promoting agricultural productivity, enhancing food security, improving rural livelihoods and promoting agriculture as an engine of pro-poor economic growth.
What are main objectives of Agricultural Extension services?
To transmit the latest technical knowledge to farmers.
To provide feedback from farmers to extension officers / scientists on problems and constraints in agriculture.
To enhance professional competence of extension functionaries.
To strengthen linkage amongst farmers, extension officers and researchers.
To motivate farmers for overall development.
What are government initiatives on AES?
Central government: The National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management is an apex national institute set under the Ministry of Agriculture.
It assists the different organizations in effective management of their agricultural extension and other agricultural management systems.
State governments:The State Agricultural Department has also established various centres for the training of extension personnel.
SAMETI is an autonomous State level institution, which is responsible for the project implementation of various line departments as well as the farming community.
Local governments:For strengthening agricultural extension and transfer of technology to farmers, farmers clubs are being formed in most of the village.
These clubs consist of innovative farmers, progressive farmers and farmers’ interest groups (FIGs). One innovative farmer of each club acts as the convener or contact person.
In what way farmers are benefited from AES?
In helps farmers to plan a detailed agricultural project or programme to succeed.
It introduces new technology which are around the globe, for an innovative and productive farming.
It is act as a powerful tool when combined with price incentives, input supply, credit, seed multiplication.
It act as an intermediary link between agricultural development institutions such as research institutes, universities, colleges of agriculture and target groups
The agricultural extension services mainly concentrated on to strengthen the agricultural system by empowering farmers in terms of health, education, livelihood and income.
