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Transcript

Hello friends. In our last class we were discussing about the inner-tensions of extension. The in-tension of extension. I hope you enjoyed the discussion. And remember the contents and the inner-tensions. So that you emerge as a successful extension professional. In today’s class we will be discussing about the dimensions of agricultural extension. The dimension per se connotes the size, scope and magnitude of something. So is it that we are measuring the extension. Because it is having the connotation of measurement. Is it that we are measuring the extension or can we measure the extension with dimensions like length, breadth and height, which is possible in case of physical sciences or the mathematical sciences or so and so forth. Is it so in case of the extension science also? And synonymously extension is also having the various dimensions which help us to understand extension. What are those things which are ultimately contributing to the extension service as well as extension education are identified as the dimensions of extension. Mishra in the year 1990 analyzed about 40 dimensions over a period between 1953 to 1989 and he reduced them to 10 which are prominent and very very essential to identify it as the dimensions of extensions.

So the first dimension that we are going to discuss about is the altruistic dimension. Altruism is concerning about being kind hearted to the others. Since beginning we have been emphasizing on embracing all aspects of life. And providing programs for each and every section of the society. And that is what is altruism is referring to. That was the approach of extension, that is the approach of extension and in the days to come it is going to be. So it is not that we are only sympathizing the situation of our end users. We need to empathize it, then only we can develop the altruistic dimension of that. In case of empathizing we are putting ourselves into the roles of others so that we can feel it and we can provide appropriate programs to them. The second dimension that we are going to discuss about is the educational dimension. So we have already defined the concept of education. When we say that education, let us not limit it only to the formal education that we all have enjoyed over a period of time. But there are two more types of education that we come across that is the informal as well as non-formal.

The informal education is a lifelong process. With our own experiences. Without involvement of any formal teacher, we are going to learn good number of things which is continuous as well as lifelong in the process. And the non-formal education which is being carried out outside the framework of formal education. But it is also having the similar contents, the programs, the processes like the formal education with some flexibilities. So that is what is the non formal education. Extension education itself is one type of non-formal education, like the distance education is also a type of non-formal education. This is what is the educational dimension of extension. Then coming to the third dimension that is what is communication dimension. So communication is the concept that we are all using in our day to day life on a continuous basis. So what exactly is the term ‘communication’ means. Communication is the process of exchange of ideas, facts and feelings in such a manner that the source as well as the receiver are going to develop the common understanding. Until and unless the common understanding is developed, we cannot say that communication has taken place. If there is any gap between what has been said and what has been understood, it means communication has not taken place. We try to identify it as communication gap. So extension professional should emphasize on the dimension of communication.

Then the behavioral dimension. So there are three components of behavior. That is the knowledge, skill and attitude. When all these three components are taken care of in its real sense. So then we can emphasize on the change in the behavioral aspect. And that is what is another important dimension of extension. The fifth dimension that we are going to deal with is technology dimension, which is the inseparable part of the process of extension. That is technology. Adopting suitable methods to take it to the target community is another important issue associated with extension. So we have seen in our previous discussion that in all the models, technology was dominant but the extension processes were taking the backseat. So in addition to the technology the processes of extension should be taken care of, then only the intended technology is transferred and it is getting its appropriate meaning with our target community. The sixth dimension of extension is the research dimension. When we say that research, there are two important issues that comes into the picture. Number one is research which is giving us the technology which is needed by your target community. And the research associated with the process of transfer of technology. So this applied research emphasizes on the feedback of the research processes. So the moment the technology is transferred to the target community, the reaction what we are getting from the target community, that again goes back to the research system and it becomes a continuous process.

The technology as well as the extension, both these units are the products of the research process. And it is going to be continuous with the help of the feedback mechanism. The next dimension that we are going to discuss about is the input dimension. So there are different types of input that we come across, that is a group of inputs, which are tangible in nature, like the seed, the plant protection chemicals, the agricultural machineries. So there are so many tangible inputs that we come across. In addition to this tangible inputs which are necessary for achieving the desired production levels in agriculture, the intangible inputs are also playing equal dominant role, that is nothing but the information input. So when we talk of this information input which is the product of extension, and which is undergoing through the processes of extension to reach ultimately to the farmers. Every unit of appropriate information provided to the target community is going to realize increase in their yield levels, increase in their income levels, change in their living standards. That needs to be understood when we talk of inputs. It is not only the tangible inputs. It is intangible inputs should also be given due credit.

Coming to the professional dimension of extension. Like other professionals, extension professionals also providing the services. So these professionals with their technological input as well as the extension inputs, the extension technological inputs are providing the appropriate services to the intended communities, and ultimate result is the change in their living standards or the behavior. So in this entire process, till date since its inception of this particular concept, largely the extension services are being provided free of cost. So in that context, so many times it becomes difficult to accept it as a profession, but in the changed scenario, in the subsequent classes we are going to discuss about the privatization of extension also extension as a profession, wherein we are realizing handsome amount of income out of the services that are being provided by the extension professionals. And over a period of time it is being accepted as the profession. It does not mean that so far it has not been accepted as a profession. It is already there but that cost is beared by the various other mechanisms, other than our end users.

The next dimension that is very important is, the income dimension. Every effort of extension is aiming at certain change in their income. So if it is not realized in that particular sense. So the technology is not being accepted by our ultimate end users. So and it is not having any utilization also. To make it more accepted, so we need to emphasize on the income dimension of our ultimate end user. To make it in its real sense. So the technology has to be adopted in its real sense. All the practices that are being suggested by the service providers should be taken care of and accordingly it should be practiced. And ultimately realize the benefit. That is what is the income dimension. And the last but not the least, the most important dimension is the management dimension. So when we look into the term ‘management’ especially from the point of view of agriculture. So it can be divided into three components. The first one is the manage. So what is that manage? So we need to arrange for good number of resources and the processes and various issues, inputs and all those things. So that’s what is the management. Then the second component is men. Manage men. It may be labor. It may be the resource persons or it may be the extension professionals, whatever it is. So management of men in the technical manner. Maybe you are dealing with the labor. Maybe you are dealing with the extension professionals. Maybe you are dealing with the researchers. In all these three ways you are involved in management of men in a technical manner. So that you can achieve your desired results.

With this so we have discussed 10 different dimensions of extension which makes the process of changing the behavior, a reality. We cannot have the blanket technology for the whole country, wherein we need to be situation specific, location specific. And because of that we need to understand the concept of dimension of extension also. The purpose of treatment of these messages is a common end user of the technology should understand and use it. For which we are going for the adoption of various treatments to the messages that are coming from various research institutions to reach our ultimate end user with appropriate meaning to the message. With this we are coming to the end of the discussion on the dimensions of extension. In our next class we will be discussing about the role of motivation in extension education.

Thank You.