CHAPTER 3: PHILOSOPHY, PRINCIPLES, AND PRACTICE OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION Flashcards
reflects the guiding principles of fostering education,
sustainability, community involvement, and innovation, all while promoting fairness and inclusivity
in rural development.
Philosophy of agricultural extension-
PHILOSOPHY OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION
- Empowerment and Education:
- Sustainability and Development
- Community-Centered Approach:
- Equity and Inclusivity:
- Innovation and Adaptation:
Extension services aim to educate farmers and
rural communities by providing them with knowledge and skills to improve agricultural
practices, productivity, and livelihoods.
Empowerment and Education:
The focus is on promoting sustainable
agricultural practices that balance environmental, economic, and social goals.
Extension agents work to foster long-term development that benefits current and future generations.
Sustainability and Development:
Extension philosophy emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing the specific needs of local communities.
Community-Centered Approach:
Agricultural extension services should be accessible to all, regardless of gender, socioeconomic status, or geographic location. The philosophy promotes the idea that extension should work towards reducing disparities and promoting equality in agricultural development
Equity and Inclusivity:
Principles provide the framework for designing and implementing effective agricultural
extension services. The emphasis on ensures that extension activities are relevant, context-specific, and beneficial
to farmers and rural communities.
education, participation, sustainability, and
adaptability-
Various experts, such as Van den Ban and Hawkins,
Rivera and Alex, and Mosher, have written extensively on these principles, offering
- Principle of Need-Based and Demand-Driven Services:
- Principle of Participation:
- Principle of Adaptation to Local Conditions
- Principle of Education
- Principle of Sustainability:
- Principle of Innovation and Continuous Learning:
- Principle of Two-Way Communication:
- Principle of Gender and Social Inclusion:
o Extension programs should be tailored to meet the specific needs and
demands of farmers and rural communities. This ensures relevance and
increases the likelihood of adoption of new practices and technologies( Oakley,
P., & Garforth, C, 1985)
Principle of Need-Based and Demand-Driven Services:
o Farmers and rural communities should actively participate in the identification,
planning, and implementation of extension activities. This participatory
approach fosters a sense of ownership and enhances the effectiveness of the
interventions (Rivera, W. M., & Alex, G, 2004)
Principle of Participation:
o Extension messages and technologies should be adapted to fit the local
ecological, cultural, and socio-economic conditions of the farmers. This
principle stresses the importance of context-specific solutions (Van den Ban,
A. W., & Hawkins, H. S, 1996)
Principle of Adaptation to Local Conditions:
o Extension is fundamentally an educational process, aiming to provide farmers
with the knowledge and skills needed for better decision-making in farming
practices. It emphasizes the role of extension agents as educators, not merely
providers of information (Mosher, A. T., 1978).
Principle of Education:
:
o Extension should promote agricultural practices that are environmentally
sustainable, economically viable, and socially acceptable. The goal is to ensure
long-term productivity without degrading the natural resource base (Pretty, J.,
1995).
Principle of Sustainability
o Extension services should encourage continuous learning and the adoption of
new technologies and innovations. It fosters a culture of experimentation and
adaptability among farmers (Rogers, E. M.,2003).
Principle of Innovation and Continuous Learning:
o Effective agricultural extension relies on two-way communication between
extension agents and farmers. Feedback from farmers is crucial for adjusting
programs to meet their actual needs (Chambers, R, 1997)
Principle of Two-Way Communication:
o Extension services should address the needs of all segments of the rural
population, including women, youth, and marginalized groups. This principle
emphasizes equity and inclusiveness in access to extension resources
Principle of Gender and Social Inclusion:
- is to improve the quality of life for farmers and rural communities by enhancing agricultural productivity, sustainability, and overall rural development
goal of agricultural extension
Ultimate Goal of Agricultural Extension:
- Enhancing Rural Livelihoods:
o Improve the living standards of farmers and rural populations by increasing
Objectives of Agricultural Extension:
- Increase Agricultural Productivity:
- Promote Sustainable Agricultural Practices
- Facilitate Technology Transfer and Innovation:
- Enhance Problem-Solving Skills:
- Strengthen Farmer Decision-Making:
- Foster Community Development and Empowerment:
- Improve Market Access and Income Generation:
- Support Food Security and Nutritional Improvement:
o Equip farmers with knowledge and technologies to boost crop and livestock
production while ensuring efficient use of resources.
Increase Agricultural Productivity:
o Encourage environmentally friendly farming techniques to preserve soil, water,
and biodiversity for future generations
Promote Sustainable Agricultural Practices:
o Serve as a bridge between research institutions and farmers to introduce new
tools, technologies, and farming methods that can improve productivity.
Facilitate Technology Transfer and Innovation:
o Train farmers to identify, analyze, and solve problems in their farming systems
through critical thinking and adaptive management.
Enhance Problem-Solving Skills:
o Empower farmers with the ability to make informed decisions regarding crop
selection, pest management, marketing, and resource use.
Strengthen Farmer Decision-Making:
o Encourage collective action and cooperation among farmers through
participatory methods, improving social and economic development in rural
areas.
Foster Community Development and Empowerment:
o Help farmers access better markets and improve the profitability of their
agricultural products by building marketing skills and creating networks.
Improve Market Access and Income Generation:
o Contribute to food security by ensuring that farmers are able to produce enough
food for their families and communities, and improve dietary diversity through various farming initiative.
Support Food Security and Nutritional Improvement:
typically follows a structured framework that categorizes objectives into different levels, ranging from broad, overarching goals to specific, actionable objectives.
hierarchy of objectives of extension-
This hierarchy plays a crucial role in organizing extension activities and ensuring that they are aligned with overall developmental goals.
- Ultimate Goals
- Intermediate Goals
- Specific Objectives
- Operational Objectives
• These are broad, long-term aspirations that extension seeks to achieve, often aligned with national or global development goals. Examples include:
o Achieving food security.
o Promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
Ultimate Goals
• These are specific outcomes that contribute to the ultimate goals. They often address key areas of focus in extension work. Examples include:
o Increasing agricultural productivity and efficiency.
o Improving the quality of life in rural communities.
o Enhancing access to markets and services
Intermediate Goals
• These are clear, measurable targets that outline what extension aims to achieve in a particular program or activity. They guide the implementation of extension services. Examples include:
o Training 500 farmers on sustainable farming techniques within a year.
o Increasing the adoption of new crop varieties by 30% in a specific community.
o Facilitating the establishment of 10 farmer cooperatives by the end of the project.
Specific Objectives
• These objectives focus on the practical implementation of extension activities and may involve specific tasks or strategies. Examples include:
o Organizing monthly training workshops for farmers.
o Distributing educational materials and resources.
o Conducting regular field visits to provide support and guidance
Operational Objectives
Agricultural extension services in Region VIII and Northern Samar involve a network of
stakeholders working together to improve agricultural productivity, livelihoods, and
sustainability. The actors include
- Farmers and Farmer Groups
- Extension Workers/Agents
- Government Agencies
- . Research Institutions
- Private Sector and NGOs
• Role of Farmers as Recipients and Participants in the Extension Process
o In Northern Samar, rice and coconut farmers are among the key beneficiaries
of extension programs. For example, the Department of Agriculture Region VIII
supports farmers in adopting high-yield rice varieties and sustainable farming
practices through initiatives like the Special Area for Agricultural Development
(SAAD) program. In Catarman, coconut farmers receive training in Integrated
Pest Management (IPM) to manage the Brontispa beetle infestation affecting
their crops.
• Farmer-led Initiatives and Innovation-
o Farmers in Northern Samar are also organizing cooperatives and associations
to support their collective goals. For instance, the Northern Samar Coconut
Farmers’ Cooperative actively participates in workshops and training provided
by local extension workers, focusing on value-adding processes like the
production of virgin coconut oil and coconut-based handicrafts, which helps
increase farmers’ income.
Farmers and Farmer Groups
o Farmers in Northern Samar are also organizing cooperatives and associations
to support their collective goals. For instance, the Northern Samar Coconut
Farmers’ Cooperative actively participates in workshops and training provided
by local extension workers, focusing on value-adding processes like the
production of virgin coconut oil and coconut-based handicrafts, which helps
increase farmers’ income
Farmer-led Initiatives and Innovation-
• Roles and Responsibilities (Communication, Education, Technology Transfer)
o Extension workers in Northern Samar play a critical role in communicating new
farming techniques, such as using climate-resilient crops. They also assist
farmers in accessing government programs, such as Farmers’ Field Schools
(FFS), which provide hands-on learning experiences on crop management
techniques for upland farmers cultivating root crops like sweet potatoes and
taro.
• Skills Required for Effective Extension Work (Technical Knowledge, Interpersonal
Skills)
o In Region VIII, extension agents often work in remote areas with limited
infrastructure. In the uplands of San Isidro, Northern Samar, extension agents
provide training on sustainable upland farming practices, including soil
conservation techniques and agroforestry, helping local communities improve
crop yields while preserving their natural environment.
Extension Workers/Agents
• National, Regional, and Local Government Roles
o The Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office VIII (DA-RFO VIII)
coordinates agricultural extension services in Northern Samar. Through the
Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF), farmers in Gamay and
Bobon are being trained in mechanized farming techniques and given access
to post-harvest facilities to improve rice production efficiency.
• Policy Formulation and Resource Allocation
o The Provincial Government of Northern Samar plays an active role in resource
allocation for agricultural development. Under the One Eastern Visayas
agricultural strategy, LGUs coordinate with the DA to ensure that farmers have
access to subsidies and farm inputs, especially in remote areas like Palapag
and Catubig.
. Research Institutions
• Role of Research in Developing Relevant and Up-to-Date Technologies-
o Research institutions like Visayas State University (VSU) play an important role
in agricultural innovation in Region VIII. VSU collaborates with local extension
agents to introduce improved root crop varieties that are more drought
resistant, which is crucial for upland areas in Northern Samar where water
availability is limited during dry seasons.
• Linking Researchers with Extension Workers and Farmers-
o In Leyte, research centers like the Leyte State University Research and
Development Center work in partnership with Northern Samar extension
agents to train farmers on the benefits of using biofertilizers and organic
farming practices. These innovations are then disseminated to farmers,
especially those growing vegetables and root crops in Northern Samar.
Government Agencies
• Contribution of Private Companies in Providing Inputs, Market Access, and Training
o The Eastern Visayas Regional Agricultural Cooperative (EVRAC) partners with
seed companies to provide farmers in Laoang and Allen, Northern Samar with
access to high-quality seeds and fertilizers. These inputs help improve crop
productivity while ensuring that farmers have reliable markets to sell their
produce.
• Role of NGOs in Capacity Building and Grassroots Mobilization
o NGOs like Leyte-Samar Rural Development Foundation (LSRDF) are active in
capacity-building efforts across Northern Samar. They collaborate with LGUs
to provide training to women farmers, focusing on sustainable vegetable
farming and income-generating activities like backyard poultry production.
These initiatives aim to empower rural families and improve food security in the
region.
Private Sector and NGOs
Conditions for Extension to Evolve
- Technological Advancements
- Policy and Institutional Support
- Capacity Building and Training
- Community Engagement and Participation
- Adaptability to Climate Change and Market Demands
o Digital and ICT innovations in agricultural extension
o Use of mobile phones, apps, and digital platforms for information dissemination
Technological Advancements
o National policies supporting agricultural extension
o Institutional frameworks for extension services
Policy and Institutional Support
o Continuous training and education for extension agents
o Strengthening farmer-to-farmer extension networks
Capacity Building and Training
o Importance of participatory extension approaches
o Building trust and collaboration with rural communities
Community Engagement and Participation
o Integrating climate-smart practices in extension
o Addressing changing market conditions and farmer needs
Adaptability to Climate Change and Market Demands
aims to empower farmers through education, promote sustainability, and foster community-centered development.
Agricultural extension-
involve participatory approaches where farmers and communities actively participate in identifying challenges and solutions.
Extension services-
is to improve rural livelihoods
by increasing agricultural productivity, promoting sustainable practices, and facilitating
technology transfer.
goal of agricultural extension-
aim to enhance farmers’ problem-solving and
decision-making skills, improve market access, support food security, and foster
community development.
Extension services-
(SAAD) Stand for -
Special Area for Agricultural Development
(IPM) Stand for-
Integrated
Pest Management
(FFS) Stand for-
Farmers’ Field Schools
(DA-RFO VIII) Stand for-
Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office VIII
(RCEF), stand for-
Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund
(VSU) Stand for-
Visayas State University
(EVRAC) Stand for-
Eastern Visayas Regional Agricultural Cooperative
(LSRDF) Stand for-
Leyte-Samar Rural Development Foundation
