Introduction to Agricultural Extension

  1. Course Title: EE 104-INTRODUCTION TO AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION
  2. Course aim: the aim of the course is to introduce students to basic concepts and roles of extension as well as develop some analytical skills in addressing extension problems.
  • Course Expected learning outcomes:

By the end of the course students should be able to:

  • Describe basic concepts in agricultural extension
  • Identify roles of extension in agricultural development process
  • Analyse linkages and enhance positive attitude towards collaboration with various stakeholders involved in the process especially researchers and farmers
  • Identify and analyse problems related to extension
  1. Course status: Core
  2. Credit rating: 9 Credits
  3. Total hours spent: 90 hours

                                                Lecture                                    36 hours

                                                Seminars/Tutorials                   18 hours

                                                Practical                                  9 hours

                                                Assignment                             9 hours

                                                Independent Research            18 hours

            Pre-requisite:             None

  • Course Content:

Meaning of extension.Foundations and evolution of extension.Objectives and philosophy of agricultural extension.Role of agricultural extension in agricultural development. Extension programme development, implementation, and evaluation. Importance and methods of extension linkage and interaction with researchers. Models of extension organization: government-, education institution-, cooperative-, parastatal, co-operative extension service – based extension. Approaches to extension: commodity, farming systems, training and visit, farmer to farmer, farmer field schools and integrated. General problems with extension in the field: experiments from Africa, Asia and South America. Extension ethics.

Practical: Case studies will be used to develop practical skills. These will be complimented, where necessary and where financial resources allow, with field trips to relevant sites. Alternatively, candidates will be involved in analysing selected case studies of selected problems/issues and demonstrate level of articulation and proficiency through their participation in seminar presentations.

  • Teaching and Learning Activities

Teaching will involve lectures, practical, group assignments and seminar presentations, individual assignments to capture self- reading. Use of case studies in teaching for some practical aspects will be employed.

  1. Assessment Methods

The assessments will be through continuous assessments were written timed tests (theory and practical), quizzes, seminar presentation, practical reports, and submission of individual/group assignment papers will be used. The assessment will also include final University written examination.

 

  1. Reading List:

Adams, M.E. (1982) Agricultural Extension in Developing Countries. Essex, Longman

Swanson, B.E., R.P. Bentz and A.J. Sofranko (Eds) (1997) Improving Agricultural Extension: A Reference Manual, Rome FAO.

Van Den Ban and H.S. Hawkins (1996) Agricultural Extension (2nd Ed.) Harlow, Longman.

Leeuwis, C. (2004). Communication for Rural Innovation: Rethinking Agricultural Extension, 3rd edition. London: Blackwell Science.

Rollinson, E. (2005). Organizational Behaviour and Analysis: An Integrated Approach. 3rd edition. London: Pearson Education Limited

Scarborough, V., S. Killough, D.A. Johnson and J. Farrington (Eds) (1997) Farmer-led Extension: Concepts and Practices: ODI.

Windahil, S.B.S. and Olson, T.J. (1992). Using Communication Theory: An Introduction to Planned Communication. London: Sage Publications

Share this