APPROACHES

IN
EXTENSION
Badino, D.A.
Abrenica, L.O.
Octavio, R.P.
Embudo, J.D.

©Google Image
 Module 2
APPROACHES IN EXTENSION
By: Derilyn A. Badino

I. Overview

Extension comes in many sizes and shapes. Although the following classification,
made primarily for agriculture, is not complete and the distinctions between the types
are not absolute, it gives an idea of the possibilities and opportunities that exist for the
extension planner and for the policy- and decision-maker at the national level. No
practical extension work can be described by simply listing its aims, principles, structure
or methods. It can only be described on the basis of the interaction between its
individual elements. This topic will cover a more detailed explanation of what we mean
by approach to extension.

II. Intended Learning Outcomes

At the end of the session, the students should be able to:
1. Identify the different extension approaches;
2. Reflect on the extension approaches which is application in the
new normal situation and specific respondents; and;
3. Determine the strategies to reach a particular set of goals.

III. Take Off

Get a paper and write your thoughts about the question below.

As an aspiring extension worker, how would you encourage farmers to

participate in an extension activity?
IV. Learning Focus

APPROACHES IN EXTENSION

Definition of Several Extension Approaches

An approach to extension consists of a series of procedures for PLANNING,

ORGANIZING and MANAGING the extension institution as well as for
IMPLEMENTING PRACTICAL EXTENSION WORK. These procedures are adjusted
to each other and implemented by staff with technical and methodological qualifications
and using the necessary and appropriately-adapted means.

Figure 1: KRIC Members with the Animal Science Department Instructor.

The bold-face printed adjectives in this definition make it clear that there is no
such thing as one overall best approach to extension. The best approach for a concrete
situation depends on:

- the wider context in which extension is taking place and the value concepts and
principles which are common; - the objectives of the extension activity;

- the extension institution with its own value concepts and principles and its form of
organization - the target population with their value concepts and principles and their
forms of organization;

- the functions and procedures of extension based on the objectives and principles of the
extension institution and the target group.
 The above definition describes the extension approach as the interaction of a
certain number of elements.

The Wider Context Extension takes place in a practical situation, made up of:

- particular characteristics of the population such as culture, religion and the

predominating value concepts
- the geographical and climatic conditions
- the economic and political conditions
- the density of the population
- the degree to which the region has been developed.

Extension Approaches

1. The General Extension Approach.

The assumptions here is that:

- In contrast to several other approaches, this approach assumes that technology

and knowledge that are appropriate for local people exist but are not being used
by them.
- The approach is usually fairly centralized and government-controlled.
- The purpose is to help farmers increase their production.
- Field personnel tend to be large in number and high in cost.
- Resources required are also high, with central governments bearing most costs.
- Success is measured in the adoption rate of recommendations and increases in
national production.

2. The Commodity Specialized Approach.

The assumptions here is that:

- The way to increase productivity and production of a particular commodity is to

group all functions relating to it under one administration, including extension
along with research, input supply, output marketing.
- Extension programme planning is controlled by a commodity organization.
- Implementation is through field staff of that organization.
- Resources tend to be provided by the commodity organization
- The measure of success is usually the total production of the particular crop
- Extension is fairly centralized and is oriented towards one commodity or crop and
the agent has many functions.
 3. The Training and Visit Approach

The basic assumptions of this approach are:

- The extension workers are poorly trained, lacking supervision and logistic support,
and they do not visit and have contact with farmers.
- So the purpose is to induce farmers to increase production of specifies crops
- Program planning is centrally controlled, and reflects interaction between research
and extension personnel.
- Efficient implementation is sought through a rigid pattern of visits to farmers and
training of field staff, along with strict discipline of daily and fortnightly activities
with funds from international sources.
- Success is measured in terms of production increase of the particular crops
covered by the program.

Figure 2. Maam Guevarra explain on how to create a

harvesting bin for black soldier fly (BSF)

4. The Agricultural Extension Participatory Approach.

The basic assumptions of this approach are:

- Farmers have much wisdom regarding production of food from their land but their
level of living could be improved by learning more of what is known outside.
- It further assumes that effective extension cannot be achieved without the active
participation of the farmers themselves as well as research and related services;
that there is a reinforcing effect in group learning and group action.
 - Extension efficiency is gained by focusing on important points based on expressed
needs of a farmers and by reaching more small farmers through their
groups/organizations instead of through individualized approach.
- The purpose is to increase production and consumption and enhance the quality
of life of the rural people.
- Where farmer’s association do not exist, the extension staffs assist to form them.
- Implementation is through group meetings, demonstrations, individual and group
travel, and local sharing of appropriate technologies.
- Success is measured through the numbers of farmers actively participating and
benefiting, as well as continuity of local extension organizations.

5. The Project Approach.

The basic assumptions of this approach are:

- This approach concentrates efforts on a particular location, for a specific time

period, often with outside resources.
- Part of its purpose is often to demonstrate techniques and methods that could be
extended and sustained after the project period.
- Implementation typically includes project allowances for field staff, better
transportation, facilities, equipment, and housing.
- Change in the short term is often a measure of success.

6. The Farming Systems Development Approach.

The basic assumptions of this approach are:

- A key characteristic of this type of extension is its systems or holistic approach at

the local level.
- The technology, which fits the needs of farmers, particularly small farmers, is not
available, and needs to be generated locally.
- The purpose is to provide extension personnel ,and through them farm people,
with research results tailored to meet the needs and interests of local farming
system conditions.
- Close ties with research are required and technology for local needs is developed
locally through an iterative process involving local people.
- Field personnel tend to be highly specialized, relatively expensive, and from
outside the area being served.
- Implementation is through a partnership of research and extension personnel with
each other and with local farmers.
- Success is measured by the extent to which local people adopt and continue to
use technologies developed by the program.
 7. The Cost-Sharing Approach.

The basic assumptions of this approach are:

- This approach assumes that cost-sharing with local people (who do not have the
means to pay the full cost) will promote a program that is more likely to meet local
situations and where extension agents are more accountable to local interests.
- Its purpose is to provide advice and information to facilitate farmers' self-
improvement.
- Success is often measured by the willingness to pay.

8. The Educational Institution Approach.

The basic assumptions of this approach are:

- This approach uses educational institutions which have technical knowledge and
some research ability to provide extension services for rural people.
- The purpose is to help those people learn about scientific agriculture.
- Program planning tends to be controlled by those who determine the curriculum
of the education institution.
- Implementation is through non-formal instruction in groups, with individuals, and
with other methods and techniques.
- The emphasis is often on the transfer of technical knowledge.
- Success is measured by attendance and the extent of participation by farm people
in the school’s agricultural extension activities.

VII. References

Axinn in FAO, 1988. Definition of several extension approaches.

Haverkort, B., Roling, N. 1984: Six Approaches to Rural Extension. IAC, Wageningen.

Kromah, A., 2016. Extension Approaches. February 4, 2021 Retrieved from

https://meas.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Kromah-Abibatu-2016-
Extension-Approaches-in-Agricultural-Extension.pdf

ROFUROM, 2016. Extension approaches. February 4, 2021 Retrieved from

https://repository.ruforum.org/system/tdf/Extension%20Approaches.pdf?file=1&
type=node&id=33539&force=