PROBLEMS FACING AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION

Subject:

Agricultural Science

Class:

SS 3

Term:

First Term / 1st Term

Week:

Week 4

Topic:

PROBLEMS FACING AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION

Previous Knowledge: The pupils have previous knowledge of

  AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION  

that was taught in their previous lesson.

Behavioural  Objectives : At the end of the lesson, learners will be able to

• Say the problems facing Agricultural extension
• List methods of agricultural extension
• Highlight the principles of agricultural extension

Instructional Materials 

• Wall charts
• Online Resource
• Textbooks
• Laptop
• Crop samples
• Pictures that are related to the subject matter
• Flash cards
• www.edudelighttutors.com

Methods of Teaching 

• Role modelling
• Questions and Answers
• Explanation
• Discussion
• Recitation
• Imitation
• Story Telling
• Dramatization

WEEK FOUR 

PROBLEMS FACING AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION

1. Farm or agricultural inputs are inadequate and often get to the users(farmers) very late.
2. The subject matter specialist(agricultural extension officers) are often not properly involved.
3. Inadequate transport facilities for extension staff.
4. Extension agents are not sufficiently motivated.
5. The supervision of the farmers by the extension agents is weak or poor.
6. Information to farmers is usually delayed and distorted due to poor training of the extension agents.
7. Many agents are ignorant of the tradition and customs of their target communities and often run afoul of their system making it difficult for them to receive audience.
8. Very few extension workers are available to work with too many farmers.
9. Poor facilities for extension communication which limits the scope and efficiency of coverage
10. Target farmers are largely illiterate and find it difficult to follow instructions.
11. Poor or inadequate monitoring of the activities or performance of the extension agents.

EXTENSION METHODS

Methods used in dissemination new ideas and techniques to farmers are grouped into three classes:

1. Mass media method
2. Individual method
3. Group method

Mass media method: This method is used to create awareness and interest in the new ideas and techniques among the majority of the people. In other words, this method enables many people to know about the new innovation. This method involves the use of publications,leaflets,posters,agricultural shows and exhibitions,cinema vans,Newspaper, radio and television,Newsletter,Circular,News Bulletins,Pamphlets,film shows etc.

Advantages of mass method

1. Larger audience can be reached
2. Does not necessarily require the presence of an agent
3. It eliminates stress
4. It is not time consuming
5. Print media information last long and can serve as point of reference 

Disadvantages of mass method

1. It is very expensive to operate
2. Language barrier might hinder effective communication
3. Illiterate farmers might not benefit from this method
4. No effective feedback mechanism is put in place
5. Poor farmers may not get the information since they do not own radios or television set
6. Technological backwardness (no electricity) and bad roads can disallow information from reaching some people.

Individual Method:  This involves the direct contact between individual farmers and the extension worker. More attention is given to the farmer by the extension worker. Examples of individual method include visits by the extension worker to the home and farm office of the farmer, telephone call, personal letters and text messages.

Advantages of individual method

1. More attention is given to farmers than any other method
2. Dissemination of information is more effective
3. It give room for feedback
4. Farmers have opportunity to ask questions
5. It makes adoption of innovation more effective

Disadvantages of individual method

1. It is time consuming
2. It is very tedious
3. It is expensive
4. It does not give room for reaching larger group of farmers
5. There may not be enough workers to carry out this task effectively

Group Method: This method enables the extension worker to teach the farmers in group. Example of group methods include group discussion,lectures,workshops method demonstration,result demonstration,farm works and excursion,Field trips,symposia,short courses,debates,General meetings,Committee meetings etc.

Advantages of group method 

1. It enables extension workers reach out to larger group of farmers at a time
2. It saves time
3. It is less tedious
4. It save money
5. Adoption by one can enhance adoption by the others

Disadvantages of group method

1. Some farmers might easily discourage others from adopting the innovation.
2. Farmers may not be regular at meetings
3. There may not be enough workers to carry out this task effectively

Demonstration involves a practical approach to introducing new innovation to the farmer by practicing the new innovation of the farm land situated where many of the target audience can access to see. The success of the demonstration will push the farmers to want to adopt the new technique

A poster is a pictorial presentation meant to educate or inform the literate audience as the pictures cater for all the needed information.

A bulletin is all written ideas and innovation for literate to read, understand and apply.

Home or farm visit involves one on one or personalized visit to the farmer’s home or farm to establish mutual friendship and acquaint with the farmer and family before giving ideas and information to such a farmer. Rendering of assistance in kind will foster this relationship between the agent and the farmer hence ease adoption of innovation.

Presentation : 

The topic is presented step by step

Step 1: The class teacher revises the old topic

Step 2: The class teacher introduces the new topic

Step 3: The class teacher allows the pupils to give their own contributions and gives room for pupils” participation

Class Teacher and Pupils Activities. Interaction or Participation 

This involves class teacher and pupils’ interaction, conversation, imitation or modeling through discussion, play method or just by recitation or asking and answering questions that are related to the topic that has just been taught.

EVALUATION 

1. Mention four roles or duties of agricultural extension workers
2. Enumerate eight functions of an extension agent in the life of a rural farmer/explain eight roles of agricultural extension in the development of agriculture in Nigeria. (WASSCE 1990 question 9, 1993 question 9).
3. Discuss eight problems which an agricultural extension worker can face in the discharge of his duties. (WASSCE 1992 question 9, 2010 question 10c, 2014 question 6b, 1999 question 10).

Conclusion : 

The class teacher concludes the lesson by giving the pupils some notes on the topic that has just been taught. He goes round to mark and he does the necessary corrections.