Agricultural Extension Systems : Issues and Approaches

Contents: Foreword/M.S. Swaminathan. Preface. Introduction. I. Extension systems: 1. Concerns and possibilities of extension system: a case of Kerala/R.M. Prasad. 2. Reshaping of extension system : potentials and prospects/Jayasree Krishnankutty and S. Parvathy. 3. New role of agricultural extension to face the present challenges for effective transfer of technology/K. Anand Singh. 4. Facilitating and restraining forces in carrying out extension activities under Panchayati Raj : a force field analysis/Shubhangi Baburao Tajane and P.J. Rajkamal. 5. Private extension and cyber extension in India/A.I. Jose. 6. Privatisation of agricultural extension : perspectives and prospects/N.P. Kumari Sushama and C. Bhaskaran. 7. Private extension -- the urgent need of Indian agriculture/M.V. Sajeev and B.K. Narayana Swamy. 8. Attitude of farmers towards public and private extension for sustainable production to meet the challenges of WTO/S.K. Meti, Ravi M. Sambranith, J. Tulasiram and K.N. Doddamani. II. Extension approaches: 9. Self Help Groups--an effective extension strategy for rural development/B. Narayanaswamy, K. Narayana Gowda, M.S. Nataraju and M. Manjunatha. 10. Constraints in adoption of micro credit among farmers/Priya R. Devi, C. Bhaskaran, N.P. Kumari Sushamma and Elsamma Job. 11. Multimedia--an innovative tool for technology dissemination/Rajula Chandran and R. Thiagarajan. 12. The internet--a potential supplementary tool for agricultural extension/M.V. Sajeev. 13. Raitha Samparka Kendra--an alternate demand driven extension approach/M.S. Nataraju, B. Narayanaswamy, K. Narayanagowda and M. Manjunatha. 14. Integrated farming system demonstrations: an innovative extension approach/V. Veerabhadraiah and G.N. Nagaraja. 15. Adaptability and proliferation of techno-interventions under institution village linkage programme in a coastal village/R. Sathiadhas, Sheela Immanuel, Sindhu Sadanandan and K.N. Jayan. 16. Sayahnam--a method for timely transfer of technology/S. Ravi and D. Sajithbabu. 17. Impact of extension approaches: a Rajasthan experience/Harphool Saharan. 18. An alternative extension strategy for women empowerment and rural livelihood security : the KVK Kottayam experience/K.J. Joseph, Pramod and Binu Johan Sam. 19. Alternative extension approaches: agricultural policies and strategies for profitability, productivity, and marketability/G. Perumal. 20. The New Zeal of extension approaches : adopted by KVK, Gandhigram/P. Venkatesan and S.K. Gopal. 21. Krishi Vigyan Mandal : new approach of farmer to extension/S. Sonune, K. Dattatri and M. Hegde. 22. Extension approach for sustainable aquaculture in India/M. Kumaran. Index.

"The papers in this volume, presented at National Seminar on Alternative Extension Approaches, held at Mitraniketan, Kerala, attempt to examine the different aspects of developments in agricultural extension. Highlighting the major concerns about the implementation of different extension systems under different conditions, they deliberate on continuing marginalization of farmers, low growth rate agriculture, poor income generating capacity and role of agricultural extension in shifting farming activity from traditional methods to market-orientation.

The contributors also extend discussion on the role of Panchayati Raj, private extension services, and different innovative extension approaches." (jacket)