Under the extension as a teaching pattern, extension field workers relied on research stations
and/or central administration todetermine what lessons should be implemented. However, under
extension as a learning pattern, extension workers must learn from the other people, as well as
connect to research and markets, in establishing extension priorities. Extension includes,
components of technology, transformation, comprehensive rural development goals,
management skills and non-formal education. The extension services in agencies primarily
includes obtaining of the information, skills and other technologies to lead to improvements in
their livelihoods (Davis, 2009). Extension agents are required to introduce new technologies and
methods in an appropriate manner to enhance productivity (Davis, 2009).
Appropriate Extension Methods
The appropriate extension methods have been classified into three categories, these are,
mass, group and individual extension methods: (Appropriate Extension Methods, n.d.).
Group Extension Methods–There have been numerous kinds of group extension methods,
these include, demonstrations, field jobs, district fairs, farm walks, farmer’s rallies, folk media,
group meetings, motivational tours, participatory technology development, days of training and
farmer field schools
Individual Extension Methods–The individuals who work solely without any kind of
collaboration or partnership with the other individuals, adopt various kinds of extension methods
in the implementation of their tasks.
Investment Required for Innovative and Pluralistic Extension Services
The following principles are central to pluralistic extension services: (Heemskerk, &
Davis, n.d.).
The provinciallevel coordinates and implements cross-cutting services, mostly on
contracts, such as seed services, environmental management services, food security services, and
other services that extend beyond district boundaries.
Agricultural planning priority is undergoing a transformation from sector-wide
agricultural planning to higher-quality district agricultural development plans.
Farmer Empowerment –The organization of the farmers represent the opinion of their
clients, but they are also collaborators in extension, mainly concerning the services, such as,
planning, distribution of resources, and providing services.
Farmer Empowerment –The organization of the farmers represent the opinion of their
clients, but they are also collaborators in extension, mainly concerning the services, such as,
planning, distribution of resources, and providing services.
Working in partnerships, divide work amongst various individuals and they also feel less
pressure and stress. Partnerships are common between advisory service providers and
agricultural research agencies, agricultural chambers of commerce, microfinance, organizations
and agro-processing companies.
The individuals acquire awareness about how to implement their tasks and functions in
an appropriate manner.
Challenges in Extension Services
The various kinds of challenges that have been encountered in extension services are
related to the usage of technologies, marketing, inputs, resources, finance, education, training
and awareness, managerial skills, health conditions and natural resources and environmental
conditions (Berthe, 2015).
Education contributes in enhancing knowledge and awareness amongst the individuals;
an individual is able to develop his skills and acquire employment opportunities, when he
possesses appropriate educational qualifications. . When extension services in agencies are
initiated, then individuals are required to possess educational qualifications and capabilities, so
that they are able to implement all the tasks and functions in an appropriate manner.
It is vital for the individuals to be aware of various areas and fields, before incorporating
new services. The main awareness should be how beneficial the services would be to the
agencies and organizations; the individuals, workforce and the public should benefit from the
extension services in agencies.
Working in agencies and organizations are in most cases tedious and involve long
working hours, therefore, an individual should maintain his health in aproper manner.
Natural Resources and Environmental Conditions –There are number of individuals who
depend upon the natural resources and the environmental conditions, these belong to rural or
tribal communities. It is the part of the extension services that rural communities should be
managed to their natural resources in an efficient manner
Effectiveness of Private Extension Organization
Effectiveness of any organization is determined through organizational effectiveness and
functional effectiveness.
Extension services enable the individuals to take up innovations, modernization
techniques, methods, procedures, improvements in the production methods and measures to
protect the environment. Extension services have shown positive effects on knowledge, adoption
and productivity.
-Conclusion The main purpose of the extension services in agencies is to make provision
of knowledge that is research based to various individuals. The appropriate extension methods
have been classified into three categories, these are, mass media and audio visual aids, group
extension methods and individual extension methods. Principles that are central to pluralistic
extension services are, de-concentration, decentralization, a system for providing multiple
services, farmer empowerment, outsourcing services, partnerships and extension approaches. In
the extension services, there are challenges with regards to many areas, these are, usage of
technologies, marketing, inputs, resources, finance, education, training and awareness,
managerial skills, health conditions and natural resources and environmental conditions.
For extension organizations to be operative in a vigorousmarket-driven economy,
extension officials and their field staff must attend to the clients, as well as to private-sector
firms, banks, non-government organizations, and other service providers.
