What is Rural Development There is no universally accepted definition of rural development.

The term is used in different ways in vastly divergent contexts. As a concept, it connotes overall development of rural areas with a view to improve the quality of life rural people. As a phenomenon, it is the result of various physical, technological, economic, sociocultural and institutional factors. As a discipline, it is multi-disciplinary in nature representing an intersection of agricultural, social, behavioural and management of sciences. In short, rural development is a process that aims at improving the standard of

living of the people living in the rural areas. Rural development may be defined as overall development of rural areas to improve the quality of life of rural people. It is an integrated process, which includes social, economical, political and spiritual development of the poorer sections of the society. Rural development can be defined as, helping rural people set the priorities in their own communities through effective and democratic bodies, by providing the local capacity; investment in basic infrastructure and social services, justice, equity and security, dealing with the

injustices of the past and ensuring safety and security of the rural population, especially that of women. According to Robert chambers, rural development is a strategy to enable a specific group of people, poor rural women and men, to gain for themselves, and their children more of what they want and need. It involves helping the poorest among those who seek a livelihood in the rural areas to demand and control more of the benefits of rural development. The group includes small scale farmers, tenants and the landless. Thus, the term rural development may be used to imply any one of the above-

mentioned connotations. The avoid ineffective floundering among the myriad definitions, we shall define rural development as A Process leading to sustainable improvement in the quality of life of rural people, especially the poor The Concept of Rural Development The meaning of rural development has been the subject of much debate and little agreement. The definition of rural development varies from one point of view to the other. The definition or rural development may be centeredaround income criterion in which the concept is made to address the problem of rural poverty. Or it may be defined in

sociological concept in which the rural poor represents a reservoir of untapped talent a target group that should be given the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of development through improved education, health and nutrition. This is one of the most important definitions of rural development as the provision of social infrastructures could provide the catalyst that would transform the rural areas. Rural development may also be seen as an ideology and a practice. It may mean planned change by public agencies based outside the rural areas such as the national Government and International organization; It may also be the bringing of the countryside into an active state, as well

as the transformation of the inferior nature of the country side into something more superior in terms of activities. Rural development as the improvement in the living standard of the rural dwellers by engaging them in productive activities such as the establishment of rural industries that will increase their income. It is seen by these scholars as a means of raising the sustainable living of the rural poor by giving them the opportunity to develop their full potentials. Rural development can be distinguished from agricultural development which it entails and transcends. In essence Rural Development may imply a broad based re-

organization and mobilization of rural masses in order to enhance their capacity to cope effectively with the daily task of their lives and with changes consequent upon this. According to the World Bank Rural Development must be clearly designed to increase production. It recognizes that improved food supplies and nutrition, together with basic services, such as health and education, not only directly improve the physical well-being and quality of life of the rural poor, but can also indirectly enhance their productivity and their ability to contribute to the national economy. Rural Development ensures the modernization of the rural society and the

transition from its traditional isolation to integration with the national economy. It is concerned with increased agricultural production for urban and international markets. This is essential so as to generate foreign exchange, and to attract revenue to finance public and private consumption and investment. In order to encourage increased production rural development may offer a package of inputs and welfare services for the rural masses. Such inputs and welfare services include physical inputs (such as the provision of feeder roads, water and electrification), social inputs(namely health and educational facilities) and institutional inputs such as credit facilities, agricultural research

facilities, rural expansion services among others Objective of Rural Development The main objective of the Rural Development is improving the living standards of rural people by utilizing the easily available natural and human resources. The other objectives of rural development programmers are as follow: 1. Development of agriculture and allied activities.

2. Development of village and cottage industries and handicrafts. 3. Development of socioeconomic infrastructure which includes setting up of rural banks, co-operatives, schools etc. 4. Development of community services and facilities i.e. drinking water, electricity, rural roads, health services etc. 5. Development of Human resource mobilization.

Importance of Rural Development Improvement in the quality of life of rural people is the important agenda of rural development programme. In India a country where the number of people living in rural areas, rural development programme is necessary aspect. Rural development implies both the economic betterment of people as well as greater social transformation. The basic objective of all rural development endeavors / programmes has been the welfare of the millions. In order to achieve this, planned attempts have been made to eliminate poverty, ignorance and

inequality of opportunities. A wide spectrum of programmes has been undertaken so far, to alleviate rural poverty and ensure improved quality of life for the rural population especially those below the poverty line. In the initial phase of planned rural development, the concentration was on sectors of agriculture industry, communication, education and health. The Ministry of Rural Development places importance now on health, education, drinking water, housing and road so that the quality of life in rural areas improves and the fruit of economic reform are shared by all sections of the society. With time and experience, it is realized that accelerated and meaningful

development can be achieved only if people of the grass root are involved, peoples participation has become the keyword in rural development programmes. The participation of the people is necessary to provide the rural people with better prospects for economic development

Problems in Rural Development As we know the 60-70% of rural population in India lives in primitive conditions. This sorry state exists even after 60 years of independence. So that Rural

Development programmes have urgency in the present condition also. There are many obstacles in the rural development programmes which are as under 1. In 21st Century, there is no electricity supply in many villages. 2. Now also many rural peoples using primitive methods of cooking, living and farming and they have trust on these methods.

3. By using primitive cook stoves, around 300,000 death / year takes plan due to pollution. 4. 54% of Indias population is below 25 years and most of them live in rural areas with very little employment opportunities. 5. Literacy is the major problem in rural development programme. 6. The poor extension linkage causes slow growth of rural development. 7. Untrained, unskilled, inexperienced staff in extension

linkage cannot provide satisfactory help to rural peoples. 8. Every one want to go to the cities, so that rural peoples remains as ignores part by the policy makers also. 9. Privatization concept is useful for rural development but, government not paying much attention to this aspect. 10. Policy makes prepared policies, programmes for betterment of rural people but, if these programmes are not implemented very well then have no used.

Development Programmes of Pre-independence and Post Independence Era The present day human institution has not developed in a day or two nor in the creations of one man. They represent the cumulative fruit of the endeavour, experience, thoughtful planning and patient labours of large number of people through generations. To comprehend, understand and appreciate the present day human institutions adequately, it is necessary to have a back ground knowledge of the course of its growth and development since the roots of these institutions lie deeply buried in the past, Organized extension work in India was

started during post independence the alien rule under East India Company was largely concerned with maintenance of law and order rather than development. However, concern for villagers and woes of toiling masses moved saints, sheers and social leaders to launch voluntary efforts at rural reconstruction. One can find resemblance of extension work in these endeavours of pre-independence era. Developmental Programmes of Pre-independence Era 1) Sriniketan: Early effort at rural development was initiated by Shri. Rabandranath Tagore in 1908 by

establishing youth organization in the KaligramProgana of his Zamindari, He tried to create a class of functionary workers who could learn to identify themselves with the people. In 1921 he established a Rural Reconstruction Institute at Shantiniketan in West Bengal. A group of eight villages was the centre of the programme. This project, co-incidentally, had many elements of extension education in both spirit and action. Activities like demonstration on scientific methods of agriculture, training of youths, adult education and

health co-operatives were important aspects of the work aimed to make a group of villages self-reliant. This was a very comprehensive programme combining culture, health, education and economic aspects of village life together. Concept of village level workers and regeneration of village organization were put to work. This project was closely guided by Mr. Leonard Elmhirst, an Englishman trained in economics from USA.

Objectives of the Programme: 1. To create a real interest in people for rural welfare work. 2. To study rural problems and to translate conclusions into action. 3. To help villagers develop their resources and to improve village sanitation. These objectives were desired to be achieved by creating a spirit of self-help, developing village leadership, organizing village scouts called BratiBalika, establishing training centers for

handicrafts and establishing a demonstration centre at Shantiniketan. These demonstration centers conducted demonstration or farmers holding for improved practices. Under this programmes establishment of dairy to supply pure milk and better animals to the farmers poultry farm for development of farmers. The students and worker of the institute were provided facilities for training in tanning, pottery, embroidery tailoring etc. This institute also had a mobile library

and runs night schools film shows in the rural areas. Though the institute could not get much help from the government it could not conduct research work on the lines initially planned by R. N. Tagore and so its work remained limited to the eight villages only. But in the course of history, the Government of Independence India did recognize it as an important pioneering centre of extension research in India.

2) Marthandam: The work was commenced by Dr. Spencer Hatch an American Agricultural expert in Travancore under the auspicious of young Mens Christian Association (YMCA) in 1921. The aim of the project was to bring more abundant life for rural people. It was intended to symbolize the three-fold development, not only spiritual, mental and physical but also economic and social. The essential technique of the centre was Self-help with intimate expert counsel. From the

demonstration centre at Marthandam, about hundred villages were covered through Y.M.C.A. centers in villages. The extension secretary was appointed supervise the activities of the group. Marthandam was in a strategic position to serve the villages. It kept prize bulls and goats, model bee-lives, demonstration plots for improving grain and vegetable seeds, poultry runs with prize laying-hens, a weaving shed, etc. Inside the centre, there was equipment like honey extractors, health charts and the items

needed for other cottage vocations. At the centre, cottage vocations were taught and agricultural implements tested. The emphasis throughout was on self-help and co-operation. The successful output of this project was the Egg-selling Club. In 1939 which became a self governing body. Another co-operative society was honey club, where the villagers were taught the use of modern bee-hives and extracted honey scientifically. The honey was cured and marketed co-operatively. There were Bull clubs, weavers blub also. The

activities conducted at centre could meet the mental, physical and spiritual needs of the villagers. The main shortcomings of the project were inadequate funds and governmental help. The activities were mainly organized the Marthandam and the village workers did not stay in villages. The religious bias of the institution was also a major hindrance in its activites. 3) Gurgaon Experiment: Rural upliftment movement on amass scale was first started by Mr. F. L. Brayne, Deputy

Commissioner in the Gurgaon district of Punjab state. He was prompted by the backwardness, poverty and misery of the people. A village guide had been posted to act as a channel through which the advice of the experts in various departments could be passed on to the villagers. The programme of introducing improved seeds, implements, the methods of cultivation etc. was started throughout the district. As the village guides were not technical men, very little permanent value was achieved in fact. The project could not

develop leadership in the villages that would continue work when the village guides had left the villages. The work again gathered momentum, after 1933, where Mr. Brayne was appointed Commission of Rural Reconstruction in the Punjab. 1935-36. Government of India granted Rs.1 crore for various rural works which acted as a stimulus. Nevertheless the project could not make much headway ass the local talent was not utilized for development process.

Most of the work done by exercising authority over the people rather than by voluntary participation of local people. 4) Gandhian Constructive Programme / Sewagram: Self contained and self sufficient village life was the dream of Gandhiji. He was aware about the grassroots problems of India, rural set up and he wanted to solve these problems without intervention of any outside agency. He wanted to solve these problems by local people and

through local resources. People know Gandhiji not only as a Mahatma or political agitator, but also as a social and economic reformer. He made people to understand that India lives in villages and that the common mans upliftment is the upliftment of the country. Regarding development work in the country, he emphasized that the salvation of India lies in cottage industries. They key-words of his economy are: Decentralized production and equal distribution of wealth Self-sufficiency of Indian villages. For equal distribution of wealth, cruel

process of extermination was not followed but throughout the heart of the owners by persuasion and appeal to the better sense of man. According to him self-sufficiency of Indian villages can be achieved by eradicating middlemen, so that the farmer could get the full price for his produce. He wanted that the tiller should be able to consume his own products like fruits, milk, vegetables etc. Only then will come up the true India. For better of people he formulated an 18 point programme, which includes the promotion of village industries, basic and adult education rural sanitation, uplift of

backward tribes, uplift of women, education in public health and hygiene, propagation of natural language, love for the mother tongue, economic equality, organization of kisans, labour and students and so on. He wants to make villagers self-sufficient and also want to develop stamina which is useful against oppression and injustice. The important institutions, which were organized to foster his ideas were; all India Spinner Association, All India Village Industries Association, Gandhi Ashram at Tiruchungodi, Gandhi Niketan at Kallupatti, Gandhi Gram at Dindigal, Gandhi SewaSadan at Porur (Malawar), Kasturba Ashram in Trichr, Kerala. Truly speaking, the Gandhian constrictive

Programme was became big institutions and simple ideas became philosophies. His emphasis on Khadi became the Charka movement and then, the All India Khadi a Village Industries Board. His thought, against untouchability and caste system, resulted in the organization of HarijanSewakSangh and many like this. He created leaders like VinobaBhave, Nehru, Jayaprakash Narayan, Mira Ben etc. who cameform common stock, but got inspiration from Gandhi. All the people engaged in reconstructive programme felt that their work was needed in a great programme for their country reconstruction. They were soldier of the Grand Army of the Father of Nation. They

were builders of a new society and torchbearers of new civilization in this country which, due to their efforts, has again been recognized as an important country. Developmental Programmes of Post-independence Era 1. Firka Development Project: This project was government sponsored and aided at the attainment of the Gandhian ideal of Gram Swaraj by bringing about not only educational, economic, sanitary and other improvements in villages, but also by making the people self-confident. The scheme

was launched in 1946 in 34 Firkas (group of 5 villages) throughout the state, and on April 1, 1950, it was extended to another 50 additional Firkas at the rate of two Firkas for each state. The selection of the Firkas was based on general backwardness of area and the possibilities for initiating the production of handloom cloth and other cottage industries to give a encouragement to Rural Reconstruction. This scheme was aimed at attacking the problem of rural people as well as short term plans

for the development of rural communication, water supply, formation of panchayats, organization of co-operatives and sanitation programme. In long term plans, to make the area selfsufficient through agricultural, irrigational and livestock improvements and the development of Khadi and other Cottage Industries. The Collector was primarily was primarily responsible to see the working of the scheme in the district. Then he was assisted by rural welfare officer of the rank of NaibTahsildar. He was put

incharge of 2-3 selected Firkas. Each Firkas was divided into 5 to 10 group of villages which were put in the charge of Gram Sevaks who were of the rank of Revenue Inspecrtors. Each Firka or group of Firka was provided with special staff like agricultural field men, administrative officers, Mistries, P. W. D. supervisors and minor irrigation overseers. To associate the people with the implementation of the programme, Development committees, consisting of officials and non-officials, were constituted in each Firka. At the

state level, there was a State Rural Welfare Board comprising the heads of the Departments and influential and constructive social workers. For stimulating healthy competition between the official and non-official agencies, the Government of Madras decided to entrust the development schemes to non-official agencies were selected and paid grants for doing Firka development of :- a) Rural Reconstruction, b) Drinking water facilities, c) Sanitation d) Agriculture and Khadi and other

village industries. At the end it was realized that these efforts were restricted in scope and lacked co-ordination. There was lack of direction, support and encouragement from the central authority. However, it was provide that no extension programme which is implemented without the help and co-operation of local people could continue for long and have a desired impact on the Rural Reconstruction. 2. Etawah-Pilot Project: The ideal of this project was

conceived and born in 1947. Actually this projected was put into action in September, 1948 with headquarter a Mahewa village about 17 miles formEtawab (U. P.) First 64 villages which were then increased to 97, were covered under it. Lt. Col. Albert Maya was the originator of this project. He started this project with the aim of introducing work on the rural reconstruction front. The Government of U.P. helped him in setting up machinery at district level and with extra staff for the project. The point 4-programme

of America also provided finances. This project had a widespread effect on educating the villagers and broadening their mental horizons. The experiment proved not only that the material was moldable, but that the saying that the villager is ignorant, conservation and incapable of improvement was an outmoded one. The project handled the rural problem by Efforts to broaden the mental horizon of the villagers so that he might accept new and tested ideas which might then become

self-generating and selfperpetuating. Dealing with the villagers land, his tools and his surroundings. The method of approach used under this project was educative and persuasive rather than coercive. For getting faith and confidence of village people, it was essential to extension worker to live in the village and prove themselves as friend of rural people. The project started as a pilot project for introduction of improved agricultural technology. It also included general

awakening of all round villageupliftment activity, so that the panchayats get on a sounderfooting. The most effective achievement of this project was that the entire area was under improved wheat crops. The area under vegetables was extended and diseases like Rinderpest and HemorrhagicSepticemia controlled. The other programmes taken on were the construction of roads, soak pit, adoption of improved agricultural practices etc. In this project, all round development in the village life, in

terms of social, economic, health and hygiene etc. were reported form the area. Nelokheri Experiment: Nelokheri was the part of State of Punjab and witness of displacement and destitution due to partition. It was started to rehabilitate 7000 displaced persons from Pakistan and later integrated with the 100 surroundings villages into what came to be a rural-cum-urban township. It was built round the vocational training centre that

was transferred form Kurukshetra, in July 1948 to the 1100 acres of swampy land on the Delhi-Ambala highway. The central figure of this project was Shri. S. K. Dey, later Union Minister for Communal Development and Co-operatives up to 1965. This scheme was called urban township in all the essential requirements of life, The colony has school, an agricultural farm, polytechnic training centre, dairy, poultry farm, piggery farm, horticulture, garden, printing press, garment factory, engineering workshop, soap

factory and so on. This was probably as ideal experiment which provides to be comparatively more successful addressing the immediate problems of providing help to the displace people of Punjab

Objectives of Community Development Programme The community development programme has for its objectives economic development, social change and democratic growth. These three objectives are to be promoted jointly and in such a

manner that they support one another. In India, the objective behind the community development programme is to develop the resources of the people and to assist each village in planning and carrying out the integrated agricultural production. Like this, the major objectives of this project are: 1. 2. To change the outlook of all To improve existing village village people. crafts and industries and organizing new ones, providing minimum essential health

services and improving health practices. 3. Providing required educational facilities for children and adults as well as recreational facilities. 4. Improving housing and family living conditions of villagers. 5. To develop a responsive village leadership, village organization and institutions. 6. To develop village people so that they become self reliant and responsible citizens.

7.

To help people that they can

increase their income and quality of life. 8. Organizing or arranging trainings for voluntary local leaders like members of panchayats, village and block advisory committees etc. and professional community development workers like village level workers, extension officers, block development officers.

Main Lines of Activity in Community Development Programme The main lines of activity which will be undertaken in a community project can be briefly divided into the following: a) Agriculture and Related Matters: The programme includes

reclamation of available virgin and wasteland; provision of commercial fertilizers and improved seeds; the promotion of fruit and vegetable cultivation, of improved agriculture technique and land utilization; supply of technical information, improved agricultural implements, improved marketing and credit facilities; provision of sol surveys and prevention of soil erosion, encouragement of the use of natural and compost manures and improvement of livestock, the principal emphasis here being on the establishment of key villagers

for breeding pedigree stock and the provision of veterinary aid, as well as artificial insemination centers. For attaining this objective, agricultural extension service will be provided at the rate of one agricultural extension worker for every 5 villages. b) Irrigation: The programme visualizes provision of water for agriculture through minor irrigation works, e.g. tanks, canals, surface wells, tube wells etc. the intention being that at least half of the

agricultural land, if possible, be served with irrigation facilities. c) Communication: The road system on the country side is to be so developed as to link every village within the project area up to a maximum distance of half a mile form the village, the latter distance being connected by feeder roads through voluntary labour of the villagers themselves, only the main roads being provided for and maintained by the state or other public agencies.

d) Education: It has been realized that the full development of a community cannot be achieved without a strong educational base, alike for men and women. The community projects have been planned to provide for social education, expansion to basic type, provision of educational facilities for working children and promotion of youth welfare. Vocational and technical training will be emphasized in all the

stages or the educational programme. Training facilities will be provided for imparting improved techniques to existing artisans and technicians, both in urban and rural areas. Training centers which already exist in any area, will be strengthened and developed, and new ones established to meet the requirements of the project area. e) Health: The Health Organization of the project area will consist of 3 primary health unit equipped with

a hospital and a mobile dispensary at the headquarters of the project area and serving the area as a whole. It would aim at the improvement of environmental hygiene, including provision and protection of water supply; proper disposal of human and animal wastes; control of epidemic diseases such as Malaria, Cholera, small-box, Tuberculosis etc. provision of medical aid along with appropriate preventive measure, and education of the population in hygienic living and in improved nutrition.

f) Supplementary Employment: The unemployed and the underemployed persons in the village community will be provided with gainful employment to such extent as in possibly by the development of cottage and small-scale industries, construction of brick-kilns and saw mills and encouragement of employment through participation in the tertiary sector of the economy.

g) Housing: Apart from the provision of housing for community projects personnel, steps will be taken, wherever possible, to provide demonstration and training in improved techniques and designs for rural housing. In congested villages, action in the direction of development of new sites, opening of village parks and playgrounds and assistance in the supply of building materials, may also be necessary.

h) Training: The training of village level workers, project supervisors and other personnel for the community development programme will be carried out in 30 training centres which have been set up with the assistance of the Ford Foundation of America. Each training centre will have facilities for about 70 trainees. Each centre will have double training staff so that the trainees can be divided into two groups. One group will be getting practical

and supervisory work experience, while the other group will be utilizing the centers facilities for lectures, demonstrations and discussions. The training period will be limited to six months. Other than this, step will be taken for the training of the agriculturists, panches and village leaders. i) Social Welfare: There will be provision for audiovisual aid for instruction and recreation, for organizations of

community entertainment sports activities and melas.

Principles of Community Development Canadians Michael and Julie Bopp described the principles of community development as follow: 1. Harnessing Community Tensions: For changes to occur there must be a tension in peoples mind between the way things are and the way people want them to be. There must be a desire for change and a desire to work together to

create the change. 2. Facilitating Consultation about Community Realities and Needs: As noted in detail below, for community development to work successfully, there has to be awareness about community needs as decided upon by the community themselves, not as decided upon by outsides. 3. Maintaining Unity and Healthy Human Relations:

It is important to build respectful healthy relationship between members of the group and to work on managing conflicts as they occur so as to maintain a collective vision. 4. Developing a Common Vision of Sustainable Future: If community development is to work, it must be sustainable and the process must include everyone. Stories abound of development processes failing because the resources or the process were not sustainable or

well devised or were done without consultation. We have all seen pictures of computers lying unused because the hardware or software broke or just because people in the community didnt actually see need for computers. 5. Supporting Core Group Development: It is essential to encourage and support your group. Get to know the people in your group. What are their interests and skills? How much time can they dedicate to the groups activities? Everyone

needs to be clear about their capacities and the limits to their time and energy that may exist. Encourage and build up a strong support base so that the group is not dependent upon only one or two people. Make sure the group is as representative of the community as it can be-that means including and listening to the needs of women and children as well. 6. Personal Revitalization and Healing: Good community development

processes provide an opportunity for people to become empowered, energized and to undo some of the harms of the past. 7. Facilitating Learning: The entire development process is a learning experience. People can become aware of their environment, their social and political reality and can learn how to make the steps necessary to change and improve their situation.

8. Building Effective Organizations: Formalizing the initial volunteer group is crucial part of the development process. Creating and implementing formal organization structures creates legitimacy and respect for the organizations and lets the community know that you are serious about your endeavours. It helps keep people unified and accountable and is part of the process of developing and implementing plans and activities.

9. Networking with Resources and Allies: Creating the networks between like minded individuals who then form a group who then network with other groups in order to learn and share skills and resources and knowledge is a crucial part of the community development process. The most effective groups are those that are well networked and work on co-operation with others in their area. Find out whether your area has a friendship school or rotary club or other group that is already

working. 10. Programme Development: It is important to have a clear programme. An as hoc approach to community development processes will not work. A programme must be developed in conjunction with the community and be about community needs and priorities. They must adhere to realistic timelines and have inbuilt monitoring and evaluation processes so that changes can be tracked. The prorgramme acts as a map to signal where it is the

group going. 11. Reflection on the Process: Monitoring and Evaluation: Monitoring and Evaluation is very important as it allows the group to track progress, identify problems, and improve upon community development processes. 12. Protecting the Process: Community development processes are dependent upon a rant of other processes: the good

will of those involved, the continuation of funds, a secure political environment, a lack of violence. Once any of these dynamics is disrupted, then negative change and conflict may occur. It is important to have risk management strategies built into your process Less well developed processes might have fallen victim to the conflict and insecurity.

Organizational Set-up for Community Development Extension Service The organizational set-up for Community development Programme runs form the national level through state, district and block levels to the village level and there are three main constituents of this new setup. 1. The direct-line staff such as State Development

Commissioner, B.D.O and Village Level Worker. 2. The auxillary or specialist staff, such as different heads of technical departments at the state and district levels and extension officers at the block level. 3. Panchayati Raj System- The ZilaParishads, Block Samitis and Village Panchayats. A) National Level: At the National level programme, the policies are formulated by the National Development Council presided over by the Prime

Minister of India. Membership of the Council consists of the Central ministers of the concerned ministers, chief ministers of all states, and members of the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission provides guidance for Plan formulation and gives it approval to annual and Five-year Plans of the states as well as of the Centre. The Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation is responsible for giving national guidance, policy formulation and technical assistance in regard to Agriculture Extension and Community Development (now

Rural Development programmes). In the Agriculture department, the Agricultural Commissioner, Government of India, assisted by a number of assistant commissioners and directors, with the supporting staff, is in charge of all agricultural development programmes at the national level Within this Department, special mention may be made of the Directorate of Extension Training responsible for the training of Extension officers, VLWs, instructors of Village-Level Workers Training Centers and others and the Directorate of

Farm Information which is concerned with the dissemination of new agricultural technology and innovations through various media. B) State Level: At state level also, there is usually a State Development Committee presided over by the Chief Minister of the state with the other concerned ministers as its members. This Committee is responsible for the states plan and programmes and for fixing the targets for regions and

districts. Besides this committee, there are usually a number of other advisory or technical committees. As regards the actual administrative functioning the State Developments Commissioner is the top-level executive responsible for directing, coordinating and providing overall guidance for development programmes and maintaining a two-way channel of communication between the state governments and the Central government. He co-ordinates the

activities of different de3velopment departments, such as agriculture, animal husbandry, co-operation, panchayati raj, health, education, irrigation, power and electricity. The heads of these technical departments are responsible for planning and implementing the technical programmes and for providing the necessary technical guidance, manpower and support. C) District Level: At the district level also, there is usually a District Development or

District Planning Committee presided over by the District Collector or Deputy Commissioner. The other members of this committee are the heads of the departments in the district, chairman and vicechairman of the district boards, representatives of voluntary organizations, local bodies and members of parliament and state legislatures. In the states, where the Panchayati Raj is operating, the ZilaParishads are responsible for planning, co-ordinationg and consolidating the development

programme in the district. The District collector is the key official who co-ordinates the activities of all development departments at the districts level. The districtlevel technical heads of agriculture, animal husbandry, co-operation, panchayats, public health, irrigation, education and rural industries are responsible for planning and implementing the development programmes relating to their departments, Administratively, they are responsible to the district collector on one hand and to their state heads of development

departments on the other. D) Block Level: A district is subdivided into a number of community development programmes. The block development officer is the head of the block team, and coordinates all the activities of the development departments at the block level. He is assisted by eight extension officers form different fields, namely agriculture, animal husbandry, health, co-operation, panchayats, engineering, social education and rural industry.

At the non-official level in the states, where the Panchayati Rah has been implemented, the Panchayatisamiti (also called the Block), this Samiti) has the statutory powers for formulating and executing development programmes. The Samiti is assisted by the B.D.O. and the extension officers. Wherever the panchayati Raj is not working, there are block development advisory committees. E) Village Level: At the village level, the multi-

purpose village-level worker is the main extension staff. He is the last extension functionary in the administrative hierarchy and is the main contact person. He is responsible for all developmental work at the village level, and forms a connecting link between the various technical departments and the rural people. Usually, in a normal community development block, there are 10 village-level workers. Their number has been double in the intensive Agricultural Development Programme (IADP) blocks.

On the non-official side, usually there is Panchayat in every village or for a cluster of villages, and is responsible for planning and implementing the community development programmes and ensuring peoples participation in them.

1. Panchayat Raj: There is something anomalous

and contradictory in the term Democratic Decentralization. It was also not easily understood by our people in India. At the instance of the Prime Minister it was seceded to give this process of the three-tier administration a strictly Indian name Panchayat Raj evolved as the natural expression that fitted admirable to the situation. Panchayat Raj means a system of Government horizontally it is a network of village panchayat. Vertically, it is an organic growth of the Panchayat rising

up to the national level. Panchayat Raj was accepted as the new concept because it meant administration by mutual consultation, Consent and consensus. A three tier system of democratic decentralization recommended the system operates at the district, block and village level, as follow District level - ZillaParishad Block level - PanchayatSamiti Village level - Village panchayat (Gram Panchayat)

Gram Panchayat It is basic, first formal democratic institution at the village level. The chairperson of this unit is called as Sarpanch. It is primary unit of local self-government. Gram panchayat is a cabinet of the village elders, directly elected by the adult citizens of the village. There are 8 to 10 ward punches, two or three coopted members, who constitute the body of Gram Panchayat; they are consists of 8 to 10 villages. There are three

functional sub committees which meet four times every month to decide agricultural production programme, cottage industry programme, finance and budget and social amenities in Gram panchayat area. The members of the Gram Panchayats have tenure of five years and are directly elected from wards while the Sarpanch is elected by the members. There is provision for reservation of seats for women and for scheduled casts and scheduled tribes. There is Gram Sabha for each

panchayat and the Sarpanch is required to conduct Gram Sabha meetings at least once in six months. Also Sarpanch is required to conduct meeting of the members of the Panchayat once in a month.

Powers and Functions of the Sarpanch: 1. To convene and preside over the meetings of the Gram Panchayat.

2.

To conduct and regulate and

be responsible for the proper maintenance of the records of the proceedings of the meetings. 3. To execute documents relating to controls on behalf of the Gram Shasan. 4. To be responsible for the proper custody of all records and documents, all valuable securities and assets belonging to the Gram panchayat or belonging to the Gram shasan. 5. To be responsible for the proper working of the Gram

panchayat as required by or under the Act. 6. To exercise supervision and control over the acts and proceedings of all officers and employees of the Gram panchayat. 7. To have authority to enter into correspondence on behalf of Gram panchayat. 8. 9. To order preparation of all To exercise such other statements and reports. powers, discharge such other duties and perform such other functions as may be conferred

or imposed on or assigned to him. Power of Gram Panchayat Members: 1. To supervise during office hours, the records of the Gram Panchayat after giving due notice to the Sarpanch. 2. To move resolution or question on any office bearer on matters connected with the administration of the Gram Panchauyat. 3. To exercise inspection overt all works undertaken by the Gram Panchayat.

4.

To supervise all institutions

working under the direction, management and control of the Gram panchayat. 5. To bring to the notice of the Sarpanch the irregularities if any, noticed during such inspection. Functions of Gram Panchayat: There are number of functions perform by Gram Panchayats. These functions are divided into two categories, namely, the obligatory functions and the options functions.

Following are the obligatory or the compulsory functions. Following are the Obligatory or the Compulsory Functions: 1. Construction, repairs, maintenance, alteration and extension of village roads, provisions of lights on the roads and other places of public resort and removal of encroachments and obstructions on the roads and other public places.

2.

Construction, maintenance

and cleaning of drainage system and provision of sanitation in the village by the removal of filth and clearance of marshy areas. 3. 4. Supply of drinking water to Adoption of preventive the villages. measures against epidemics and other dangerous diseases, prevention of obnoxious and dangerous trade, registration of births and deaths and the preparation of the necessary records for the purpose.

5.

Maintenance of common

pasture and other public institutions. 6. Preparation of census records of men and animals, maintenance of relevant records and submission of periodic records and returns. 7. 8. 9. Management of Panchayat Spread of primary education Social conservation. properties as assets. and its management. 10. Control of Markets, ferries, fairs, Ghats and other public places.

11. Adoption and encouragement of improved methods of cultivation. 12. It has to perform such other functions which are given to the Gram panchayat on a compulsory basis. Optional Functions: In addition to the compulsory functions, each Gram Panchayat is also required to perform certain optional functions for the development of the rural people. These functions are given below:

1. 2. 3. 4.

Planning and maintenance Development and Development of the Construction, management

of trees. maintenance of village forests. livestock. and control of slaughter houses. 5. 6. Reclamation of cultivable Organization and wastes and follows land. management of multi-purpose co-operative societies. 7. Famine relief measures.

8.

Establishment and

maintenance of village libraries. 9. Marketing of agricultural produce 10. Organization of the Fire services and protection of life and property in case of fire. 11. Maternity and child welfare and establishment of centers of the purpose. 12. Establishment and management of village Akharas and clubs. 13. Establishment and maintenance of works for providing employment in time

of scarcity and establishment and granaries. 14. Organization, management and promotion of cottage industries. 15. Organization and maintenance of industrial and agricultural exhibitions. 16. Construction and maintenance of Dharmasalas and Rest houses. 17. Provision of adult education, establishment of primary schools with the prior approval of the panchayatsamiti. 18. Prevention of gambling and implementation of prohibition.

19.To keep the records about the unemployed persons. PanchayatSamiti This is the next tier of administration at the Block level. It consists of: 1. Sarpanchas of all panchayat. 2. Local M.L.A. and M.L.C. with right to vote but not to hold office. 3. One person nominated by District Collector for every panchayat for which no Sarpanch has been elected

Reservation and Cooption: 1. Tow women. 2. One from scheduled castes. 3. One form scheduled tribes. 4. Two persons with experience in administration and public life. The president and vice-president of the samiti are elected form among the village panchayat presidents. Block Development Officer appointed by the Government is the chief executive of the samiti and function as the leader of the team of block level officials.

Every PanchayatSamitiNormally ahs Seven Standing Committees as Follow: Standing Committee I - Planning and Production II - Co-operation and Industries III - Education IV - Women Welfare V - Social Welfare VI - Communication VII - Taxation and Finance Each standing committee consists of 7 members including the

Samiti President who is the Chairman of all standing committees. Each standing committee has independent powers of sanction within specified limits and arranges for executing the works and schemes within it jurisdiction, Powers and Functions of PanchayatSamiti: 1. The President and members of the PanchayatSamiti have to endeavour to instill among the people within their jurisdiction a spirit of self-help and initiative

and harness their enthusiasm for raising the standard of living. 2. They have to enlist the wholehearted support of the people for the implementation of the Development Programmes, not only of those which relate to the community for which Government assistance is forthcoming but much more so of those which relate to individuals and which as mainly based on self-help. 3. They have to exercise all the powers conferred on and perform all the functions entrusted to the

PanchayatSamiti by the Government. 4. In particular all the activities of Community Development Programme are taken over by PanchayatSamiti. The activities concerning the rural welfare and development in the field of agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Health and Sanitation, Elementary Education, cottage industries, social welfare etc. which were being carried on by the normal Development Departments are now entrusted to the PanchayatSamiti. These schemes

have been transferred with all the institutions, staff and funds to the PanchayatSamiti. 5. The powers and functions of the District Boards, with institutions, staff and assets and liabilities have been transferred to the PanchayatSamiti with effect form 1, Dec, 1959. The Presidents and members will have to see to the proper implementation of tall the programmes and working of the institutions entrusted to them. 6. The PanchayatSamiti can borrow funds for carrying out the purposes of the Act subject to the

conditions laid down in the Andhra Pradesh panchayatSamitiand ZillaParishad Loans Rules 1959. 7. The powers of the various authorities to accord administrative and financial sanction in respect of the works and schemes of PanchayatSamiti are embodied in the rules issued by Government. 8. Government of Andhra Pradesh have given funds to the PanchayatSamiti provided under the head Loans for irrigation and rural housing in the Community

Development Programme. These funds will be recovered form the PanchayatSamiti in installments. The PanchayatSamiti will have to sanction and disburse loans to individuals and will have to recover them from the loanees. 9. The loan funds available with some of normal development departments such as Agriculture. Animal Husbandary, and Industries etc. are also made over to PanchayatSamiti to be similarly spent and recovered. 10. The funds available under the Village Housing Project are also

entrusted to PanchayatSamiti. All these loans will have to be recovered form the loanees by the PanchayatSamiti Themselves.

ZillaParishad and its Function

This is the third tier of Panchayat Raj operating at the district level. It consists of:

1. All Presidents of PanchayatSamiti in the district. 2. The district collector. 3. M.L.A.s of the District 4. M.L.Cs.with right to vote but not to hold office. 5. M.P.s of the District 6. Tow women representatives. 7. One representative of Scheduled Casts. 8. One representative of scheduled Tribes. 9. Tow persons interested in rural development. 10. The members of the Parishad elect a chairman and a vicechairman.

The District heads of development departments take part in the proceedings of the parishad and its standing committees. There will be a secretary appointed by the Government, who attends all meetings of the Parishad and its standing committees. Official members are not entitled to vote. Every ZillaParishad has normally seven standing committees. As follow: Standing Committee I- Planning and Production II - Co-operation and Industries

III - Education IV - Women Welfare V - Social Welfare VI - Communications VII - Taxation and Finance Powers and Functions of the ZillaParishad: 1. ZillaParishad should function as advisory body over the PanchayatSamiti with powers to a) approve their budgets b) co-ordinate their plans and c) distribute funds given by the Government among the blocks. 2. It has to prepare plans for all items of developmental

activities in the district including Municipal areas. 3. It has to secure execution of plans etc. which are common to two or more blocks. 4. 5. Secondary education is the The parishad should perform responsibility of ZillaParishad. such of the powers and functions of the District Board as are transferred to it by the Government. 6. It should also perform the functions of PanchayatSamiti in respect of non-samiti blocks. 7. It should advise the Government in all matters

relating to rural development in the district. 8. It should discuss and review at its ordinary meetings the progress made or the results achieved under-various items. Similarly the District Officer of every Development Department furnishes to the Parishad a brief note on the achievements in the schemes of his department. Such notes will be periodically reviewed by the Parishad. Organization Set Up:

National Level

State Level

ZillaParishad Deputy Collector District Level

Block Level

Village Panchayat Gram Sevek (V.D.O.)

Village Level

Agricultural Development Programme 1. Intensive Agricultural District Programme (I A D P) 2. High Yielding Varieties Programme (H.Y.V.P.) (1964-65) 3. Institution Village Linkage Programme (I V L P) (199596) 4. Watershed Development

Programme (W D P) - State Watershed Programme Implementation and Review Committee - Sanctioning of Watershed Project, Funding Mechanism and Flow of Funds 5. National Agriculture Technology Project (N A T P) 6. Agricultural Technology Management Agency (A T M A) 7. Agriculture Technology Information Center (A T I C) 8. National Horticulture Mission (N H M)

9. National Agricultural innovation Project (NAIP)

Intensive Agricultural District Programme (I A D P) It was felt that the increase in agriculture production under the community development programme was for less that necessary to feed the rapidly increasing population of this country. To tackle this urgent problem the government in collaboration with Ford Foundation launched the intensive agricultural district programme

(1960-61) which is popularly known as the package programme. The significant feature of this programme is that the cooperative institutions have become the agency for distribution of credit and supply of agricultural inputs which were essential for implementing the programme. The district selected throughout the country under this programme are pali, thanjavur, West-Godavari, Shahabad, Raipur, Aligarh, Ludhiana, Aleppey, palght, Mandga, Surat,

Sambalpur, Bardwan, Bhandeva and Cochar. Objectives: 1. To increase the income of the cultivator and his family. 2. To increase the economic resources and potential of the village. 3. To create employment facilities. 4. To demonstrate the most effective ways of expansion of the national food production technology by co-operative efforts between officials and not-officials,

villagers and individual cultivators. The following points were kept as the minimum criteria for selection of the district for IADP: a) Districts have adequate supply of water. b) Should have minimum natural hazards. c) They have well developed village industry. d) They have maximum potential to increase agricultural and animal production. High Yielding Varieties Programme (H.Y.V.P.) (196465)

It was introduced in 1964-65 with a new dimension of agricultural production created in the community development project. HYV of Wheat, Paddy and introduced in selected 100 districts but later on it spread in other area also. The objective of this programme is to adopt HYV for maximum production. For optimizing the yields of the available high yielding varieties of rice, it has been found necessary to advance their sowing time. Efforts were directed to educate the farmers to raise rice nurseries

in advance of the main kharif season. A special programme for timely supply of seedlings, by raising community nurseries at tube-well points and on government farms, was undertaken in three command areas in Bihar. This programme has given encouraging results and is being extended to Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa and West Bengal during 1975 kharif Institution Village Linkage Programme (I V L P) (199596)

It is an innovative programme initiated by the Indian council of Agricultural Research (ICRA) on a pilot basis form 1995-96 which was later brought under World Bank funded National Agricultural Technology project (NATP) since 1999. It is different form the earlier first line extension efforts of ICAR, in sense that it lays emphasis on the research aspect through the participation of farmers to be carried out by the multidisciplinary team of scientists, Moreover, IVLP is a production system oriented project with agro-ecosystem

analysis of the adopted villages as the basis of identify problems, priorities them and final out technological intervention point which are further developed into action plants to overcome the problems through assessment and refinement of technologies. Objectives: The significance of client oriented projects received higher attention among had policy makers, which led to the concept, Technology Assessment and Refinement through IVLP. The specific objectives of Technology

Assessment and Refinement programme are as under: 1. To introduce technological interventions with emphasis on stability and sustainability along with productivity of small farm production system. 2. To introduce and integrate the appropriate technologies to sustain technological interventions and their integration to maintain productivity and profitability taking environmental issues into consideration in a comparatively well defined farm production systems.

3. To introduce and integrate the appropriate technologies to increase the agricultural productivity with marketable surplus in commercial on and off farm production system. 4. To facilitate adoption of appropriate post-harvest technologies for conservation and on-farm value addition of agricultural products, by products and wastes for greater economic dividend and national priorities. 5. To facilitate adoption of appropriate technologies for removal of drudgery increased

efficiency and higher income of farm women. 6. To monitor socio-economic impact of the technology intervention for different farm production system. 7. To identify extrapolation domains for new technology modules based on environmental characterization at meso and mega level. Watershed Development Programme (W D P) Watershed development refers to the conservation regeneration and the judicious use of all the resources natural (like land,

Water plants, animals) and human within the watershed area. Watershed Management tries to bring about the best possible balance in the environment between natural resources on the one side and man and animals on the other. Since in is the man which is primarily responsible for degradation of environment, regeneration and conservation can only be possible by promoting awakening and participation among the people who inhabit the watersheds.

Man and his environment are interdependent. The changes in the environment directly affect the lives of the people depending on it. A degraded environment means degraded quality of life of the people. Environmental degradation can be tackled effectively through the holistic development of the watershed. A watershed provides a natural geohydrological unit for planning any developmental initiative. Geographical Details of India: AREA (m.ha) Total Geographical Area 329 mha.

Records available 304 mha. Area fit for vegetation 264 mha. Are under Crops 142 mha. Area under forest 67 mha. Degraded Area in villages 35 mha. Degraded Area with farmers 20 mha. The New Guideline for Watershed Development: 1. The IWDP scheme is being implemented on the basis of new Guidelines for Watershed Development from 1.4.1995. The new common guidelines envisage the bottling up approach whereby

the Users Group themselves decide their work programme. 2. The strength of the Guidelines lies in the decentralization of decision making process by involving local Panchayati Raj Institutions, NGOs, Government Departments and the watershed community at the grass root level It is an effort on the part of the Govt. to remove the stumbling blocks that have delayed the process of development. In fact, the initiatives taken by the DOWD aim at establishing a system under which village people can

actually involve themselves in planning, implementation and monitoring of watershed development programmes. In preparation of the Watershed Development Plan, Users and Self Help Groups and other people directly depending on the watershed are actually involved. 3. Another strength of these guidelines lies on the flexible approach followed in the method of release of funds, the area to be covered in each watershed as well as choice of components.

4. The new guidelines attempt to make the projects sustainable by establishing Watershed Development Fund and involving people in deciding equity issues and usufruct sharing mechanism. Institutional Arrangements: To make the programme successful, proper Institutional arrangement has been provided in the Guidelines from state level to village level. These institutions help in making the programme broad based, sustainable and equitable. These institutions are given below:

State Watershed Programme and Review Committee: ZILA PARISHADAS/DRAS WATERSHED DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEES PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION AGENCIES (PIA) WATERSHED DEVELOPMENT TEAM (WDT) WATERSHED COMMITTEE (WC) USER GROUPS SELF HELP GROUPS National Agriculture Technology Project (N A T P)

This project was launched by the ICAR on June 30, 1998, with the support of the World Bank to strengthen and complement the existing resources and to argument the output National Agricultural Research System (NARS). Objectives: The major objective of this component is 1) To accelerate the flow of technology form research, and extension to farmer. 2) Improve the dissemination of location specific and sustainability

enhancing technologies. 3) Decentralize technical and decision making authority to the district level. 4) Create a more effective and financially sustainable public extension system. 5) Step up the privatization of certain technology transfer activities. Salient Features:

Pilot testing new institutional arrangements for technology dissemination at the district level and below through establishment of district

Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA).

Moving towards integrated extension delivery. Bottom up planning procedures for setting the Research Extension agendas.

Addressing gender concern in agriculture and Increasing use of information technology for effective dissemination.

Agricultural Technology Management Agency (A T M A) The ATMA at district level would be increasingly responsible for all

the technology dissemination activities at the district level. It would have linkage with all the line departments, research organizations, non-governmental organizations and agencies associated with agricultural development in the district. Research and Extension units within the project districts such as ZRS or substations. KVKs and the key line Departments of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Horticulture and Fisheries etc. would become constituent members of ATMA. Each Research Extension(R-E) unit would retain

its institutional identity and affiliation but programmes and procedures concerning districtwise R-E activities would be determined by ATMA Governing Board to be implemented by its Management Committee (MC). Location of the Office: The registered office of the ATMA shall be located at district collectorate premises. Aims and Objectives: The aims and objectives for which the ATMA is formed are:

1. To identify location specific needs of farming community for farming system based agricultural development; 2. To set up priorities for sustainable agricultural development with a Farming Systems Approach; 3. To draw plans for production based system activities to be undertaken by farmers/ultimate users; 4. To execute plans through line departments, training institutions,

NGOs, farmers organizations and allied institutions; 5. To coordinate efforts being made by various line departments, NGOs, farmers organizations and allied institutions to strengthen research extension-farmers linkages in the district and to promote collaboration and coordination between various State funded technical departments; 6. To facilitate the empowerment of farmers/products through assistance for mobilization,

organization into associations, cooperatives etc. for their increased participation in planning, marketing, technology dissemination and agroprocessing etc. 7. To facilitate market interventions for value addition to farm produce; To Attain this Objective, the Society May: 1. Take steps to ensure that problems, constraints and needs to the farming system based agriculture development are identified and diagnosed

periodically. 2. Draw up plans for an integrated research-extension linkage approach for farming systems based agriculture development. 3. Ensure that lime departments/institutions draw up integrated development plan based upon resources available with them and incremental/supplementary resources mobilized by the ATMA. 4. Forge or develop systematic linkages between national/state/district institutions

of excellence in the field of agriculture and marketing. 5. Ensure capacity building of manpower engaged in overall agricultural development and strengthen infrastructural support for the benefit of the farmer/producer. 6. Create suitable mechanism to ensure location specific adaptive, Indigenous knowledge based research. 7. Ensure adequate linkages and frequent interaction between scientists, extension functionaries and technicians and farmers, in

order to prepare an integrated plan to effectuate their linkage, support each other, better understanding and appreciation of their problems, means adopted to sort out problems and plans etc. and to develop a mechanism of feed back; 8. Ensure capacity building of the ultimate users- the farmers in terms of physical, financial and skill resources base by way of adequate financial support channelized through credit institutions, private investments and training for skill up gradation.

9. Facilitate farmers organization to take lead role on mobilizing support services and resources. 10. Facilitate private investments for infrastructure development, private institutions have to take lead in the delivery of goods and services to ultimate users (farmers). 11. Facilitate the processing and marketing activities of the agricultural, livestock, dairy, poultry, silk and allied produce of the farmers with the help of private sector institutions.

12. Receive and expend project funds, maintain revolving accounts, enter into contracts and agreements, receive donations and provide services and deliver goods to beneficiaries. 13. Accept grants of money, securities or property of any kind and undertaken and accept the management of any endowment, trust funds or donations riot inconsistent with the objectives of the ATMA, on such terms and conditions as may be fitted with the objectives of the ATMA and be

prescribed by the Government of India form time to time. 14. Generate resource in order to bring financial sustainability through charging for selected services rendered to beneficiaries by ATMA. 15. Create administrative, technical, ministerial and other posts in the ATMA and make appointments thereto in accordance with the rules and regulations of the State Government. 16. Make rules and bye-laws for the conduct of the affairs of the

ATMA and add to amend vary or rescind them form time to time. 17. Do all such other lawful acts and things either alone or in conjunction with other organizations or persons as the ATMA may consider necessary, incidental or conductive to the attainment of the above objectives. 18. To do all such lawful acts and things whether incidental to objectives tin force or not as may be requisite in order to furtherance of the objectives of the ATMA.

19. Sell, lease, exchange and otherwise transfer of any portion and the properties of the society (ATMA). 20. Do all other such things as may be considered by the society (ATMA) and may be incidental or conducive to the attainment of its objectives. Agriculture Technology Information Center (A T I C) The importance of an appropriate information package and its dissemination as an input has assumed added emphasis in this information age. The kind of

information and the way it is to be used are critical factor to the growth of agriculture. It is also worth noting that it is no longer enough for research to generate information alone. The required information is also to be delivered to the end user at one place. This information must be direct, clear and easily understandable and without any room for distortion. There is a greater need for coordination between researchers and technology users. A higher degree of integration needs to be achieved by having a formal

management mechanism linking scientists or department in charges of different disciplines (though engaged in interdependent tasks) on the one hand to the technology users on the other. The linkage mechanism should be with formal, permanent, mandated, facilitated and designated function. The establishment of an agricultural Technology Information Centre will provide such a mechanism beyond the individual unit of a research institution to contribute to the dissemination of the information. This will serve as a

single window delivery system for services and products of research for the areas in which the concerned institute is involved. The cornerstone of Indias agricultural revolution has been the availability of improved varieties of cereals, oilseeds, pulses, etc. breed of livestock including poultry and fisheries; horticultural plant materials, and improve management practice for increase productivity, sustainability and stability of various crops and livestock enterprises. This has raised the

search by farmers for future availability of seed, planting materials and other materials, easy accessibility to diagnostic services for soil fertility and plant protection, availability of appropriate information through leaflets and pamphlets and increased scope in sale of consultancy services. Often the farmers are not aware as to whom and where to approach for field problems. It is felt that the facility of a single window approach at the entrance of the ICAR Institute/State Agricultural Universities will enable the

farmers to have the required information for the solution to their problems related to the areas in which the concerned institute is involved. Because of the dominance of small and resource poor farmers and concentration of poor people in several sectors, public institutions like ICAR institutes and SAUs will continue to play a vital role in supply of information for increasing the overall productivity in agriculture. The rationale for establishment of ATIC are

1. To provide diagnostic services for soil and water testing, plant and livestock health. 2. To supply research products such as seeds and other planning materials, poultry strains, livestock breeds, fish seed, processed products, etc, emerging form the institution for testing and adaptation by various clientele. 3. Providing information through published literature and communication materials as well as audiovisual aids.

4. Providing an opportunity to the institutes/SAU/s to generate some resource through the sale of their technologies. The important criteria of Agricultural Technology Information are 1. Availability (or accessibility) of new technologies, 2. Relevance of new technologies; 3. Responsiveness of new technologies to the needs of different categories of farmers; and

4. Sustainability of such unit within the overall institutional system The Agricultural Technology Information Centre (ATIC) is a single window support system lining the various units of a research institution with intermediary users and end users (farmers) in decision making and problem solving exerc ise. By building on the past investment in infrastructures in these institutions considerable farm worthy techniques/

technologies/ knowledge material have been developed in the institutions which can provide the techniques, technologies, seeds and planting materials to the farmers and other organizations for taking up the frontier technologies, to the field. This will facilitate in dealing effectively with the complexity and diversity of information system and channels. Such information will be useful for: 1. 2. Farmers; Farmer-entrepreneurs;

3. 1. 2.

Extension workers and NGOs; and Private sector organization.

development agencies;

These centers will provide a balanced scorecard in terms of 1. Financial- Resource generation and financial sustainability; 2. Customers-measures on performance of the technology from the customers point of view; 3. Process- the performance of key internal processes in terms of providing quality services, seed and plant materials, etc. linkage

with district extension system and, spread of improved technology and productivity in the area: and 4. Learning- the ability of the research organization to improve continuously and innovate in its products, services and processes. Objectives: The objectives for establishment of such centers as a single window system are as follows: 1. To provide a single window delivery system for the products and species available form an institution to the farmers and

other interested groups as process of innovativeness in Technology Dissemination at the institute level. 2. To facilitate direct the farmers access to the institutional resources available in terms of technology, advice, technology products, etc. for reducing technology dissemination losses; and 3. To provide mechanism for feedback from the users to the institute Agriculture Technology Information Center (A T I C):

The importance of an appropriate information package and its dissemination as an input has assumed added emphasis in this information age. The kind of information and the way it is to be used are critical factor to the growth of agriculture. It is also worth noting that it is no longer enough for research to generate information alone. The required information is also to be delivered to the end user at one place. This information must be direct, clear and easily understandable and without any room for distortion.

There is a greater need for coordination between researchers and technology users. A higher degree of integration needs to be achieved by having a formal management mechanism linking scientists or department in charges of different disciplines (though engaged in interdependent tasks) on the one hand to the technology users on the other. The linkage mechanism should be with formal, permanent, mandated, facilitated and designated function. The establishment of an agricultural Technology Information Centre

will provide such a mechanism beyond the individual unit of a research institution to contribute to the dissemination of the information. This will serve as a single window delivery system for services and products of research for the areas in which the concerned institute is involved. The cornerstone of Indias agricultural revolution has been the availability of improved varieties of cereals, oilseeds, pulses, etc. breed of livestock including poultry and fisheries; horticultural plant materials, and

improve management practice for increase productivity, sustainability and stability of various crops and livestock enterprises. This has raised the search by farmers for future availability of seed, planting materials and other materials, easy accessibility to diagnostic services for soil fertility and plant protection, availability of appropriate information through leaflets and pamphlets and increased scope in sale of consultancy services. Often the farmers are not aware as to whom and where to approach for

field problems. It is felt that the facility of a single windowapproach at the entrance of the ICAR Institute/State Agricultural Universities will enable the farmers to have the required information for the solution to their problems related to the areas in which the concerned institute is involved. Because of the dominance of small and resource poor farmers and concentration of poor people in several sectors, public institutions like ICAR institutes and SAUs will continue to play a vital role in

supply of information for increasing the overall productivity in agriculture. The rationale for establishment of ATIC are 1. To provide diagnostic services for soil and water testing, plant and livestock health. 2. To supply research products such as seeds and other planning materials, poultry strains, livestock breeds, fish seed, processed products, etc, emerging form the institution for testing and adaptation by various clientele.

3. Providing information through published literature and communication materials as well as audiovisual aids. 4. Providing an opportunity to the institutes/SAU/s to generate some resource through the sale of their technologies. The important criteria of Agricultural Technology Information are 1. Availability (or accessibility) of new technologies, 2. Relevance of new technologies;

3. Responsiveness of new technologies to the needs of different categories of farmers; and 4. Sustainability of such unit within the overall institutional system The Agricultural Technology Information Centre (ATIC) is a single window support system lining the various units of a research institution with intermediary users and end users (farmers) in decision making and problem solving exercise.

By building on the past investment in infrastructures in these institutions considerable farm worthy techniques/ technologies/ knowledge material have been developed in the institutions which can provide the techniques, technologies, seeds and planting materials to the farmers and other organizations for taking up the frontier technologies, to the field. This will facilitate in dealing effectively with the complexity and diversity of information system and channels. Such information will be useful for:

1. 2. 3. 1. 2.

Farmers; Farmer-entrepreneurs; Extension workers and NGOs; and Private sector organization.

development agencies;

These centers will provide a balanced scorecard in terms of 1. Financial- Resource generation and financial sustainability; 2. Customers-measures on performance of the technology from the customers point of view; 3. Process- the performance of key internal processes in terms of

providing quality services, seed and plant materials, etc. linkage with district extension system and, spread of improved technology and productivity in the area: and 4. Learning- the ability of the research organization to improve continuously and innovate in its products, services and processes. Objectives: The objectives for establishment of such centers as a single window system are as follows: 1. To provide a single window delivery system for the products

and species available form an institution to the farmers and other interested groups as process of innovativeness in Technology Dissemination at the institute level. 2. To facilitate direct the farmers access to the institutional resources available in terms of technology, advice, technology products, etc. for reducing technology dissemination losses; and 3. To provide mechanism for feedback from the users to the institute

National Horticulture Mission (N H M) Recognizing the importance of horticulture sector in the growth of Indian agriculture, Honourable Finance Minister announced launching of National Horticulture Mission in his budget speech on July 8, 2004. The horticulture sector includes fruit, vegetables, spices, medicinal and aromatic plants, flowers, mushroom and a variety of plantation crops like coconut, areca nut, cashew nut and cocoa which has been contributing significantly to the

GDP in agriculture (28.5 per cent form 8.5 per cent area). National Horticulture Mission is a centrally sponsored scheme in which Government of India provide 100% assistance to the state mission during the year 2005-06 (During XI plan, the assistance form Government of India will be 85% with 15% contribution by the State Government. Objectives: To develop horticulture to the maximum potential available in the State and to augment production of all horticultural

production of all horticultural products (Fruits, Vegetable, flowers, Plantation crops, Spices, Medicinal Aromatic plants) in the state. 1. To provide holistic growth of the horticulture sector through an area based regionally differentiated strategies 2. To enhance horticulture production, improve nutritional security and income support to farm households; 3. To establish convergence and synergy among multiple on-going and planned programmes for

horticulture development; 4. To promote, develop and disseminate technologies, through a seamless blend of traditional wisdom and modern scientific knowledge. 5. To create opportunities for employment generation for skilled and unskilled persons, especially unemployed youth; In pursuance of the above goals, the National Horticulture Mission will focus in the areas of horticultural research, development, post harvest

management,, processing and marketing. The programmes under horticulture research will concentrate on technology generation appropriate to each region/state keep in in view their specific agro-climatic and socioeconomic conditions. Emphasis will be given for effective transfer of technologies in production, which are already available in India and abroad. The Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in association with State Agriculture Universities (SAUs) and other

research institutes /organizations in the public and private sector having capabilities will be involved in the research programme. The programme under the horticultural development aims at increasing the production and productivity of all horticultural crops through adoption of improved technologies in crop production. Under this programme, special emphasis will be given for regionally differentiated crops, which are most suitable for the state /region. This programme will be

implemented by the Horticultural Departments of the State Government, which may also include cooperative organizations, self-help group, NGOs and economically organizations for achieving the targeted production and productivity of identified crops. Risk management in the form of crop insurance is also proposed Post harvest management would include creating suitable infrastructure for efficient post harvest management and marketing of horticulture produce such as handling, transfer,

storage and markets etc. besides taking up market promotional activities such as dissemination of market information to the farmers, processors, traders, and consumers. Special trust would be provided to promote the export of horticultural produce through establishment of AEZs, for which there is potential global market. National Horticulture Board, Directorate of Marketing and Inspection, National Cooperative Development Corporation, NERAMAC, TRIFED and Agriculture and Processed Food Products export Development

authority will be involved for the purpose. It is proposed to make use of the existing schemes of the National Horticulture Board (NHB), Directorate of Marketing and Inspection (DME) and National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) to maximum possible extent. The Mission will also focus on promoting processing of horticultural produce and value addition buy providing incentives for setting up of horticulture processing industries and food parks in potential areas and to encourage linkages between the markets for the horticulture produce and processing industry. This activity will be

supported by the Ministry of Food Processing Industry (MFPI) and implemented through agencies under the administrative control of MFPI and other organizations and the concerned departments of the State Governments. These programmes would be credit-linked through NABARD/IDBI/State Financial Corporations. National Horticulture Mission (N H M) Recognizing the importance of horticulture sector in the growth of Indian agriculture, Honourable Finance Minister announced launching of National Horticulture Mission in his budget speech on

July 8, 2004. The horticulture sector includes fruit, vegetables, spices, medicinal and aromatic plants, flowers, mushroom and a variety of plantation crops like coconut, areca nut, cashew nut and cocoa which has been contributing significantly to the GDP in agriculture (28.5 per cent form 8.5 per cent area). National Horticulture Mission is a centrally sponsored scheme in which Government of India provide 100% assistance to the state mission during the year 2005-06 (During XI plan, the assistance form Government of India will be

85% with 15% contribution by the State Government. Objectives: To develop horticulture to the maximum potential available in the State and to augment production of all horticultural production of all horticultural products (Fruits, Vegetable, flowers, Plantation crops, Spices, Medicinal Aromatic plants) in the state. 1. To provide holistic growth of the horticulture sector through an area based regionally differentiated strategies

2. To enhance horticulture production, improve nutritional security and income support to farm households; 3. To establish convergence and synergy among multiple on-going and planned programmes for horticulture development; 4. To promote, develop and disseminate technologies, through a seamless blend of traditional wisdom and modern scientific knowledge. 5. To create opportunities for employment generation for skilled and unskilled persons, especially unemployed youth;

In pursuance of the above goals, the National Horticulture Mission will focus in the areas of horticultural research, development, post harvest management,, processing and marketing. The programmes under horticulture research will concentrate on technology generation appropriate to each region/state keep in in view their specific agro-climatic and socioeconomic conditions. Emphasis will be given for effective transfer of technologies in production,

which are already available in India and abroad. The Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in association with State Agriculture Universities (SAUs) and other research institutes /organizations in the public and private sector having capabilities will be involved in the research programme. The programme under the horticultural development aims at increasing the production and productivity of all horticultural crops through adoption of improved technologies in crop production. Under this

programme, special emphasis will be given for regionally differentiated crops, which are most suitable for the state /region. This programme will be implemented by the Horticultural Departments of the State Government, which may also include cooperative organizations, self-help group, NGOs and economically organizations for achieving the targeted production and productivity of identified crops. Risk management in the form of crop insurance is also proposed Post harvest management would

include creating suitable infrastructure for efficient post harvest management and marketing of horticulture produce such as handling, transfer, storage and markets etc. besides taking up market promotional activities such as dissemination of market information to the farmers, processors, traders, and consumers. Special trust would be provided to promote the export of horticultural produce through establishment of AEZs, for which there is potential global market. National Horticulture Board, Directorate of Marketing and

Inspection, National Cooperative Development Corporation, NERAMAC, TRIFED and Agriculture and Processed Food Products export Development authority will be involved for the purpose. It is proposed to make use of the existing schemes of the National Horticulture Board (NHB), Directorate of Marketing and Inspection (DME) and National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) to maximum possible extent. The Mission will also focus on promoting processing of horticultural produce and value addition buy providing incentives for

setting up of horticulture processing industries and food parks in potential areas and to encourage linkages between the markets for the horticulture produce and processing industry. This activity will be supported by the Ministry of Food Processing Industry (MFPI) and implemented through agencies under the administrative control of MFPI and other organizations and the concerned departments of the State Governments. These programmes would be credit-linked through NABARD/IDBI/State Financial Corporations. National Agricultural Innovation Project (NAIP)

The Government of India has launched the National Agricultural Innovation project with a credit support of the World Bank. The project will run up to June 2012. The ICAR is operating the Project. The overall objective of the project is to facilitate accelerated and sustainable transformation of Indian agriculture for rural poverty alleviation and income generation by the application of agricultural innovations through collaboration among public research organizations, farmers groups, NGOs, the private sector and the civil societies and other

stakeholders. The India National Agricultural Innovation Project contributes to the sustainable transformation of Indian agricultural sector to more of a market orientation to relieve poverty and improve income. The specific aim is to accelerate collaboration among public research organizations, farmers, the private sector and stakeholders in using agricultural innovations. The project has four objectives. 1. Strengthens the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) as

the catalyzing agent for managing change in the Indian National Agricultural Research System (NARS) by focusing on: 1.1 Information, communication and dissemination system; 1.2 Business planning and development; 1.3 Learning and capacity building; 1.4 Policy and gender analysis and visioning; 1.5 Remodeling financial management and procurement systems; and 1.6 Project implementation. 2. Funds research on productionto-consumption systems.

3. Funds research on sustainable rural livelihood security. 4. Supports basic and strategic research in the frontier areas of agricultural science features The project will have a strong and transparent governance strategy for efficient working. Institutional and implementation arrangement will be fully streamlined to follow modern financial management, procurement system, knowledge management, and a results framework and monitoring which will ensure continuous progress and achieving the expected output. Systematic economic and financial analysis will be pursued along with close monitoring of

environmental and social safe guards. Another major component of the project is a strong institutional learning and capacity building plan for self-renewal of National Agricultural Innovation System. The plan includes comprehensive training need assessment, harnessing modern ICT in knowledge and education dissemination management for agriculture, capacity building to deal with globalize agricultural market and economy, capacity building for visioning and foresight etc. Social Justice and Poverty Alleviation Programmes 1. Integrated Tribal Development project (I T D P) 2. Integrated Rural Development

Programme (I R D P) 3. Swarnajayanti Gram SwarojgarYojana (S G S Y) 4. Prime Ministers Employment Yojana (P M EY) Integrated Tribal Development Project (I T D P) The Programme on Integrated Tribal Development Projects (ITDP) under Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) is being implemtnted since the Fifth Five Year Plan wit specific objectives of reducing poverty, improving educational status an eliminating exploitation of the tribal families. The

programme was evaluated by the programme Evaluation Organisation (PEO) in 1996 to assess the effectiveness anpergformance of planning and monitoring arrangements, and impact of the programmes on the well being of the Scheduled Tribes. The report was released in July, 1997. The fundings of the study indicate that a large majority of the tribal fees that they are better off now in terms of possession of productive and utility assets and access to food, clothing, transport

facilities, electricity, schools etc. than they were 10 years ago. Though, the administrative arrangements to execute this programme existed in all the states as per Central guidelines, the system of decentralised planning, implementation and monitoring as envisaged in the guidelines for the scheme were not operational in most of the states. The delivery system of the programme was not effective and a very large number of tribal farmers were found to use irrigation water, High Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds, fertilizers

and other inputs form private sources, even though a signigicantproporrtion of funds in being spent on free delivery of such inputs. Inadequate facilities ofr primary education and health were also observed. In order to improve the situation it has been suggested that ITDP Project Officer should be made more effective in planning and implementation of Tribal Development Programmes. It is also necessary to assess the deprivation of tribal in all the areas of social concern for adoption of an appropriate principle for determining the size of Tribal Sub-plan and allocation of funds across various

sectors. This must be backed by a strong monitoring mechanism. Integrated Rural Development Programme (I R D P) IRDP launched on October 2nd. 1980 all over the Country and accordingly all the 15 Blocks of Boudh- Kandhamal district have been covered under the Scheme. Since then, prior the above period, IRDP was in operation in 8 blocks of the district since 197879. The I.R.D.P. continues to be a major poverty alleviation programme in the field of Rural Development. The objective of

I.R.D.P. is to enable identified rural poor families to cross the poverty line by providing productive assets and inputs to the target groups. The assets which could be in primary, secondary or tertiary sector are provided through financial assistance in the form of subsidy by the Govt. and term credit advanced by financial institutions. The programme is implemented in all the blocks in the country as a centrally sponsored scheme funded on 50:50 basis by the Centre and State. The Scheme is merged with another scheme

named S.G.S.Y. since 01.04.1999. Limitations: 1. In the integrated rural development, the village has been treated as a homogeneous concept and as a unit of development which is not there. Thus there is a serious problem of uneconomic and non-viable villages or rural settlements that can form a more economically efficient base for integrated rural development. 2. No attempt was made to consider the policy of distribution

of land or for more equitable distribution pattern and revitalizing the possessing of other productive assets in the rural areas by limiting size of individuals units. 3. Inability of science and technology to solve, by itself, the problem of rural poverty. Swarnajayanti Gram SwarojgarYojana (S G S Y) This programme was launched in April, 1999. This is holistic programme covering all aspects of self employment such as organization of the poor into self

help groups, training, credit, technology, infrastructure and marketing. Objective: The objective of SGSY is to provide sustainable income to the rural poor. The programme aims at establishing a large number of micro-enterprises in the rural areas, based upon the potential of the rural poor. It is envisaged that every family assisted under SGSY will be brought above the poverty-line with in a period of three years. Scope:

This programme covers families below poverty line in rural areas of the country. Within this target group, special safeguards have been provided by reserving 50% of benefits for SCs/STs, 40% for women and 3% for physically handicapped persons. Subject to the availability of the funds, it is proposed to cover 30% of the rural poor in each block in next 5 years. Funding: SGSY is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme and funding is shared by

the Central and State Governments in the ratio of 75:25 respectively. Strategy: SGSY is a Credit-cum-Subsidy programme. It covers all aspects of self-employment, such as organization of the poor into selfhelp groups, training, credit technology, infrastructure and marketing. Efforts would be made to involve women members in each self-help group. SGSY lays emphasis on activity clusters. Four-five activities will be

identified for each block with the approval of panchayatSamities. The Gram sabha will authenticate the list of families below the poverty line identified in BPL census. Identification of individual families suitable for each key activity will be made through a participatory process. Closer attention will be paid on skill development of beneficiaries, known as swarozgaris, and their technology and marketing needs. How to Seek Assistance: For assistance under the

programme, District Rural Development Agencies and Block Development Officers may be contacted. The objective of SwarnajayantiGramaSwarojagarY ojana(S.G.S.Y.) is to provide sustainable income to the rural poor. The programme aims at establishing a large number of Micro-enterprises in the rural areas building upon the potential of the rural poor. It is envisaged that every family assisted under SGSY will be brought above the poverty line in a period of three years. This scheme is launched on

1 st April, 1999, the programme replaces the earliarself Employment and allied programmes IRDP, TRYSEM, DWCRA, SITRA, GKY and MWS, which are no longer in operation. The programme covers families under below poverty line in rural areas of the country within this target group, special sage guard have been provided by reserving 50% of benefits of SC/STs, 40% for women and 3% for physically handicapped persons subject to availability of funds. It is proposed to cover 30% of the rural poor in each block in the

next five year. S.G.S.Y. is a credit cum subsidy programme. It covers all aspects of aspects of self employment such as organization of the poor into selfhelp groups training, credit technology, infrastructure and marketing. SGSY is a centrally sponsored scheme and funding shared by the Central and State Government in the ratio of 75:25.

Prime Ministers Employment Yojana (P M EY) Prime Minister Employment Yojana for providing selfEmployment to Educated Unemployed Youth was announced by the Prime Minister on 15th August, 1993 to provide self-employed opportunities to one million educated unemployed youth in country. The Scheme has been formally launched on 2nd October, 1993. Objectives: The PMEY has been designed to provide employment to more than

a million Person by setting up of 7 lakhs micro enterprises by the educated unemployed youth. It relates to the setting up of the self-employment ventures through industry, service and business routes. The scheme also seeks to associate reputed nongovernmental organizations in implementation PMEY scheme especially in the selection, training of entrepreneurs and preparation of project profiles. Educated constitute nearly 40% of the unemployed. Incidence of unemployment among the

educated lab our force is 11.8% against 3.8% for educated and uneducated taken together. Further, the incidence is much higher viz. 26.7% among women than 9.8% among educated men. Women constitute 27% of the educated unemployed level of education. Projection made using alternative techniques put the estimate of educated unemployed at 6-7 million in 1992. This is out of an estimated educated labour force of 52 million. Of the mew employment opportunities that are being generated in the economy in recent years, about

45 per cent are estimate to be going to the educated. But, though relatively high, the employment growth of the educated still falls short of the growth of labour force by about 7 lakhs in a year. The trend of a higher growth of their employment is likely to continue with the introduction of modern technologies There may, in fact be a shift towards employment of the educated in the activities which hitherto were the preserve of the uneducated. Hence, the problem of the educated needs a special focus within the overall

strategy for tackling unemployment. Prime Ministers Employment Yojana (PMEY) seeks to address itself to this problem. New Trends In Extension Privatization Extension has been, and still is, under attack from a wide spectrum of politicians and economists over its cost and financing. As a result, Extension Systems have had to make changes, by restating the systems mission, developing a new vision for the future, and formulating plans for the

necessary transition to achieve the desired change. At least three scenarios have been suggested by government and farm organizations with regard to privatization of extension: 1. Public financing by the taxpayer only for the kinds of services of direct concern to the general public. 2. Direct charging for some individual services that produce direct return in the form of improved income, with the possibility of differential rates for

specific situations or target groups. 3. Mixed funding shared between public and private professional association contributions for services, with delayed return or collective services, such as applied research, training of farmers and agents, and improvement in Extension methods and tools. Extension service has been traditionally organized and delivered by the public sector all over the world, which led to a situation wherein, whenever one

refers to extension, it denoted public extension service. Similarly, whenever private sector is referred to, there is a tendency to consider only the corporate sector in the category. However, private extension has a broader canvas including all relevant private groups than the narrow canvas of corporate sector. Privatization of extension services does not aim at substituting private sector for public extension service. In fact, privatization has adopted a variety of forms involving different stakeholders.

The paper portrays the major stakeholders, viz, private corporate firms, credit institutions, farmers associations non-governmental organizations and media organizations and analyses their participant configurations. The success of an extension service depends on the effectiveness of planning at four levels policy, programmes, projects and strategy. Policy and programmes must be decided by the public extension system, while projects and strategy can

be formulated by the private extension organizations. When the private extension organizations get involved in providing extension support to farmers, it is likely there will be competition among the various extension providers, which will result in more efficient and demand-driven service. Both technical and allocative efficiency which are basically economic in nature are well take care of by the private extension agencies, resulting in cost minimization, profit maximisation and optimal use of resources, which are

warranted in a competitive environment. Public extension service often views sustainability of programmes only in terms of continuity. Sustainability is different form continuity, which has both ecological and equity dimensions. The private extension agencies, especially NGOs and media organizations provide valuable service in ensuring sustainability of programmes in terms of the above two dimensions.

The private extension system in India offers the following services for farmers terms of sharing, augmenting and supplementing the public extension efforts besides offering unique and innovative initiatives, which the public extension service can also emulate. Some of the Services are: 1. Cost sharing by farmers groups 2. Cost recovery on selected services offered to farmers 3. Contracting services to small groups

4. Paid extension services for affordable farmers 5. Value addition by agroprocessing firms 6. Consultancy services (both technical and managerial) 7. Privatised service centres for farmers 8. Self Help Groups of farmers 9. Information support through media organizations Private extension system can offer a variety of services for farmers in a competitive environment which the public

sector may not be able to. Hence, it is suggested that public sector extension may limit its activities only to regulatory and enabling functions, and should mainly focus on educational activities, which are unattractive to private sector delivery.

Meaning and Types of Education Meaning: Education is the process of bringing desirable change into the

behavior of human beings. It can also be defined as the Process of imparting or acquiring knowledge or habits through instruction or study. The behavioral changes must be directed towards a desirable end. They should be acceptable socially, culturally and comically and result in a change in knowledge, skill, attitude and understanding. With the development of society; education has taken many shapes, such as child education, adult education, technical education, health education,

physical education and so on. The other broad classification could be: 1. Formal Education 2. Non formal education and 3. Informal Education

Formal Education Formal Education is: 1. Institutional activity.

2. Chronologically graded hierarchically structured. 3. Uniform. 4. Subject oriented. 5. Full time. 6. Leads to certificates, diplomas, degrees

Non Formal Education is: 1. Flexible. 2. Life environment and learner oriented.

3. Diversified in content and method. 4. Non-authoritarian and 5. Built on learner participation. 6. It mobilizes local resources. 7. It enriches human and environmental a potential. E.g. Agricultural Extension

Informal Education Informal Education is: 1. Life long process. 2. Individual learns from daily experiences. 3. Individual learns from exposure to the environment at home, at work, at play etc.

Extension Education and Rural Development Importance and Scope of Extension Education

Importance of Extension Education: 1. Extension uses democratic methods in educating the farmers. 2. Extension helps in adoption of innovations. 3. Extension helps in studying and solving the rural problems. 4. Extension increases farm yields and improve the standard of living of farmers. 5. Extension makes good communities better and progressive. 6. Extension contributes to

national development programmers. Scope of Extension Education: It includes all activities of rural development. So extension programmers should be dynamic and flexible. The areas indicating scope of Extension are listed below: 1. Increasing efficiency in agricultural production. 2. Increasing efficiency in marketing, distribution and utilization of agricultural inputs and outputs. 3. Conservation, development

and use of natural resources. 4. Proper farm and home management. 5. Better family living. 6. Youth development 7. Leadership development. 8. Community and rural development. 9. Improving public affairs for all round development.

Objectives of Extension Education Objectives:

1. To raise the standard of living of the rural people by helping them in right use of their resources. 2. To help in planning and implementing the family and village plans for increasing production in various occupations. 3. To provide facilities for better family living. Specific Objectives: 1. To provide knowledge and help for better management of farms and increase income.

2. To encourage the farmers to grow his own food, eat well and live well. 3. To promote better social, natural, recreational, intellectual and spiritual life among the people. 4. To help rural families in better appreciation of SWOT in their village. 5. To open new opportunities for developing talents and leadership of rural people.

6. To build rural citizens who are: i) Proud of their occupation. ii) Independent in thinking. iii) Constructive in outlook. iv) Capable, efficient and selfreliant in character. v) Having love of home and country in their heart. Principles of Extension Education

Principles: A principle is a statement of policy to guide decision and action in a consistent manner (Mathews). A principle is a universal truth that has been observed and found to be truth and a settled rule of action. The principles of extension education are given hereunder: 1. Principle of cultural difference: 1. People differ in thinking, living and culture.

2. Extension education methods should be in line with these differences. 3. It is difficult to recognize nonmaterial culture than material culture. 4. The blue print of extension programme for one area may not suit to other areas. 5. Changes will have to be made in the programmes according to changing situations. 2. Principle of cultural change: 1. Culture undergoes change due to extension. 2. Change occurs otherwise also.

3. Extension Workers should gain the confidence of people. 4. Extension workers should organize result demonstration. 5. After increasing production, the Extension workers should concentrate on marketing. 6. Extension workers have to change to meet the cultural changes among the people. 3. Principle of grass-root organization: 1. Extension workers should pay attention to all the groups needs and interests. 2. Imposed innovations have no

relevance to groups. 3. People will accept the innovations only when they find those useful. 4. Principle of interests and needs: 1. People and extension workers should work together. 2. Co-operation and help of each other needed for social upliftment. 5. Principle of interests and needs: 1. People should voluntarily participate.

2. Work should start from interests and needs of people. 3. Fulfillment of needs create interests. 4. First concentrate on felt needs and then develop felt needs. 6. Principle of participation: 1. Attachment will not develop by offering ready made things. 2. Participation develops leadership and increases confidence. 3. Involving leaders increases peoples participation. 7. Principle of adaptability in the use of teaching methods:

1. People differ in knowledge and understanding. 2. Method should vary accordingly. 3. Use of more than one method is beneficial. 4. If needed new methods must be devised to meet new situations. 8. Principle of leadership: 1. Extension workers should utilize local leadership for increasing speed of work. 2. Identification, training and encouragement of leaders is necessary.

9. Principle trained specialists: 1. Agricultural and other sciences are developing speedily. 2. Maintaining competency in any of these sciences is a continuous process. 3. Without specialists support the extension cannot strive. 4. SMS is responsible to solve the extension workers problems. 5. Subjects Matter Specialist (SMS) is a link between research and application of research. 6. SMS should have broad outlook and be well versed. 10. Principle of satisfaction:

1. The extension programme should give satisfaction to the people. 2. People will not participate if they do not get satisfaction. 11. Principle of whole family approach: 1. Extension work should reach all the family members. 2. Neglecting any member may result in rejection of innovations e.g. Hybrid maize in U.P. 12. Principle of evaluation: 1. Determining the research results in unbiased way is

necessary. 2. Intermittent review of progress is necessary. 3. Corrective measures are needed if the direction is found wrong 4. Behavioural changes should be measured. 5. Evaluation helps in improving the quality of work. 13. Principle of applied Science and Democracy: 1. People have freedom to accept or reject the technology. 2. Applied agricultural Science is a two way process.

14. Principle of Learning by doing:

Some more Other Principles: 1. The citizen is the Sovereign (Supreme) in the democracy. 2. Home is the fundamental unit of civilization. 3. Family is the first training group of the human race and 4. Average farm is endowed with great resources and facilities.

scope of Extension The areas indicating scope of Extension are listed below: 1. 2. Increasing efficiency in Increasingefficiency in agricultural production. marketing, distribution and utilization of agricultural inputs and outputs 3. Conservation, development and use of natural resources.

4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Proper farm and home Better family living. Youth development. Leadership development. Community and rural Improving public affairs for

management

development. all round development. Objectives: 1. To raise the standard of living of the rural people by helping them in right use of their resources. 2. To help in planning and implementing the family and

village plans for increasing production in various occupations. 3. To provide facilities for better family living. Specific Objectives 2. To provide knowledge and help for better management of farms and increase incomes. 3. To encourage the farmers to grow his own food, eat well and live well. 4. To promote better social, natural recreational intellectual and spiritual file among the people.

5.

To help rural families in

better appreciation of SWOT in the village. 6. To open new opportunities for developing talents and leadership of rural people. 7. To build rural citizens who 1. 2. 3. 4. Proud of their Independent in Constructive in capable, efficient and are: occupation thinking. outlook. self-reliant in character

5. 8. 9.

having love of home

and country m their heart Panchayat Raj System Democratic

Decentralization: The world democracy is derived from the greet roots cracy meaning rule of and demos meaning the people. It is governance of the people , by the people , for the people The emphasis is on the people as distinct from offer .Rule by majority is , no doubt , an important feature of this system of governance ;but the

more important ingredient is rule by consultation consultation between the peoples representatives on one hand , and consultation with hey officers on the other. It is, in essence, a pooling of the intelligence and the experience of all concerned administration. As corollary it also implies and even enjoins on them an implicit acceptance of the decisions taken by the body of members, and a resolve to implement them.

Decentralization means devolution of central authority among local units close to the areas served .Where authority devolves by this process on peoples institutions, it is democratic decentralization. The team headed by Balwantrai Mehta (1956) recommended democratic decentralization. According to this committee to delegate the powers, responsibility and resources for planning and execution of the development programme to peoples institutions. As per the recommendations of the

committee it was aimed to secure the maximum participation of the rural people in their own development programmes. The committee was of the opinion that one of the major reasons for the failure of the community development programme which are implemented after Indias independence was the apathy and the non-participation of the people in the developmental programme. The study team recommended a basic pattern of democratic decentralization with the Gram

panchayat (Village Council) at the village level, the PanchayatSamit at the block level and the ZillaParishad (district council) at the district level. The Gram panchayat is at the bottom of the Panchayat Raj System and the ZillaParishad is at the apex. The PanchayatSamit constitutes the middle tier of this three-tier new set up of rural administration. The study teams recommendations as approved by the National Development Council were communicated by the Center to the State for

implementation. In the middle of 1958 the State of Madras had started as an experimental measure a pilot block of democratic decentralization in her own way as early as 1957. The experiences of this block were there Andhra State started in July 1958, twenty pilot blocks more or less on the same lines as recommended by the study team, one in every district of Andhra. Inspired by these experiences the State of Rajastan become the pioneer to bring the whole of Rajastan under democratic decentralization on October 2,

1959 On Nov, 1, 1959, Andhra Pradesh state introduced this scheme of democratic decentralization. In the entire state, then it was adopted by Mysore, Tamil Nadu, Orissa, Assam, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and other states. Now all the state of India has introduced the system with minor variations so as to make it suitable to their own conditions and requirements.

Philosophy of Extension Education Philosophy: Philosophy is a body of general principles or laws of a field of knowledge; it provides guidelines for performing the activities in life in a particular way. Different individuals have different philosophies of life, e.g. the traditional minded farmer and progressive farmer may react

differently to the concept of artificial insemination of cows. Philosophy of extension education includes the principles or guidelines with which to shape or mould the developmental programmes relating to that field. It provides to extension worker the basis for working out the programmes and the policies to be adopted in extension work. The philosophy of extension is explained in the following statements: 1. Extension has a philosophy of culture:

a. It respects culture of people. b. It brings about cultural change through cultural development. 2. Extension has philosophy of social progress: a. Its works is based on needs and desires of the people b. It facilitates change and help people to adjust with them. 3. Extension has philosophy of education for all: a. Disseminates useful knowledge to all people.

b. Regardless of personal, social and economic characteristics. 4. Extension has philosophy concerning teaching: a. It teaches by doing: i) Hearing doubtful ii) Seeing possibly doubtful iii) Do believe b. It reaches people to practice themselves. c. Teaching is inadequate till the knowledge is put into practice. 5. Extension has philosophy of leadership:

a. Teaches, educates, and stimulates people through local leaders. b. Utilizes assistance of voluntary leaders. c. Locates, trains and uses functional leaders. d. Extension trusts in what it can get others to do. 6. Extension has philosophy of local responsibility: a. Encourages people to contribute increasingly in their own affairs.

b. Prepares suitable leaders to determine programmes and plans. 7. Extension has philosophy about truth: a. Sells only proven facts. b. Realise that going beyond truth will loose peoples faith in extension. c. Continuously seeks new truth as todays whole truth may be tomorrows partial truth. 8. Extension has philosophy of democracy:

a. Functions only with voluntary co-operation of the people. b. Co-operation with the individuals, groups and institutions interested in common welfare. c. Selects and solves the problems based on the felt needs through group action. d. Democratic in organization. 9. Extension has philosophy of a dignity of individual and his profession:

a. Believes that each individual is endowed certain inalienable rights. b. Dignifies the farm, home and family. c. Holds that changed man is more important than the changed practice. 10. Extension personnel have philosophical characteristics: a. Extension personnel have the right attitude, integrity and high sense of service.

b. Extension personnel have deep faith that man does not alive with bread alone.

What is Agricultural Extension? Agriculture is the mainstay of Indian economy. It sustains over 70% of the populations contributes 35.6% to gross national products and adds 39% as its share towards exports. The growth in population and migration of the people to

the city has led to an increasing demand for agricultural products. Agricultural extension efforts in India have made significant strides towards development of the agricultural sector. The report of the national commission on Agriculture (1976) has emphasized the need for massive extension efforts to modernize the outlook of the farmers and to make them more enterprising and willing to adapt readily to innovations so that agricultural production could be increased. Agriculture extension is favorite whipping boy in the agricultural system. It is an applied behavioural science, the

knowledge of which is applied to bring farmers or people through various strategies and programme of change by applying the latest scientific and technological innovations. Agriculture extension education, its principles, methods and techniques are applicable not only to agriculture but also to other sciences like veterinary, animal husbandry, dairying, health and family planning etc. To summarize, agriculture extension viewed as an educational programme to be undertaken by public agencies to activate the process of transferring knowledge, science and technology from laboratories to people or farmer and to help them in farm planning, decision making, record

keeping, use of inputs, storage, processing and marketing, ensure supplies and services, increase their production, develop people and their leaders, improve their occupation, family, and community life. Agricultural extension is known was known as the application of scientific research and new knowledge to agricultural practices through farmer education. The field of extension now encompasses a wider range of the communication and learning activities organized for rural people by professionals from different disciplines, including agriculture, health and business studies.

Thrust Areas of Agricultural Extension 1. Assessment refinement and demonstration of technology / products. 2. Training of farmers. 3. Training of extension personnel areas of technology. 4. Single window delivery system of technology products, diagnostic service and information through Agricultural Technology Information Centers. 5. Development of gender-specific technologies.

6. Creating awareness of improved agricultural technologies among the farmers Agricultural Extension aims at improving technology dissemination of farm technologies to the farmers. The Extension system has undergone several changes over a period, in terms of content and delivery approaches

Four Paradigms of Agricultural Extension Any particular system can be described both in terms of both how communication takes place any why it takes place. It is not the case that paternalistic systems are always persuasive, nor is it case that participatory projects are necessary educational. Instead there are four possible combinations, each

of which represents a different extension paradigm. As fallows: 1. Technology Transfer (Persuasive+ Paternalistic): This paradigm was prevalent in colonial times, and reappeared in the 1970s when the Training and Visit system was established across Asia. Technology transfer involves a top town approach that delivers specific recommendations to farmers about the practices they should adopt.

2. Advisory Work (persuasive + participatory): This paradigm can be seen today where government organizations or private consulting companies responds to farmers enquiries with technical prescriptions. It also takes the form of projects managed by donor agencies and NGOs those participatory approaches to promote pre-determined packages of technology. 3. Human Resource

Development (Educational + paternalistic): The paradigm dominated the earliest days of extension in Europe and North America. When universities gave training to rural people who were too poor to attend full time course. It continues today in the outreach activities of colleges around the world. Top-town teaching methods are employed, but students are expected to make their own decisions about how to use the knowledge they acquire.

4. Facilitation For Empowerment (Educational +Participatory): This paradigm involves methods such as experimental learning and farmer-to-farmer exchanges. Knowledge is gained through interactive processes and the participants are encouraged to make their own decisions. The best know examples in Asia projects that use Farmer Field School (FFS) or participatory technology development (PTD). That means the provisions of information to farmers on

agricultural production technologies designed to increase production protect natural resources and the environment, or achieve some other objective.