Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
Agricultural extension plays a vital role in bridging the gap between research and farmers, ultimately boosting agricultural productivity. The individual contact method, a traditional extension approach, involves direct, one-on-one interaction between extension workers and farmers. This method, while diminishing in prevalence due to resource constraints, remains relevant in specific contexts. Historically, it was the cornerstone of agricultural dissemination, particularly in the early phases of the Green Revolution in India (1960s). This response will analyze the advantages and disadvantages of this personalized approach to agricultural extension.
What is Individual Contact Method?
The individual contact method in agricultural extension involves direct, personal interaction between an extension worker and a farmer. This can take the form of farm visits, one-on-one meetings, or demonstrations tailored to the individual farmer's needs and circumstances. It is distinct from other methods like mass media or group meetings.
Advantages of Individual Contact Method
- Personalized Attention: Extension workers can tailor advice and recommendations to the specific needs of each farmer, considering their land size, soil type, cropping patterns, and resource availability.
- Trust Building: Frequent and direct interaction fosters a strong relationship and trust between the extension worker and the farmer. This trust is crucial for the acceptance and adoption of new technologies.
- Detailed Problem Diagnosis: The individual contact method allows for a more in-depth diagnosis of the farmer's problems and challenges, leading to more effective solutions.
- Increased Adoption Rates: Studies have shown that personalized extension services often lead to higher adoption rates of new technologies compared to impersonal methods.
- Feedback Mechanism: Direct interaction provides a valuable feedback mechanism for extension workers to understand farmer perceptions and challenges related to agricultural practices.
Disadvantages of Individual Contact Method
- Time-Consuming: Reaching each farmer individually requires significant time and effort, making it difficult to cover a large area.
- High Cost: The cost per farmer reached is significantly higher compared to other methods, due to the intensive labor involved.
- Limited Reach: Due to the time and resource constraints, the individual contact method can only reach a limited number of farmers.
- Dependence on Extension Worker: Farmers can become overly reliant on the extension worker, hindering their ability to make independent decisions.
- Difficult to Scale Up: Scaling up the individual contact method to cover a larger population is challenging and expensive.
- Subjectivity & Bias: The extension worker’s personal biases can inadvertently influence the recommendations provided to farmers.
| Method | Advantages | Disadvantages | Cost | Reach |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individual Contact | Personalized, Trust, Detailed Diagnosis | Time-consuming, High Cost, Limited Reach | High | Low |
| Mass Media | Wide Reach, Cost-effective | Lack of Personalization, Limited Feedback | Low | High |
Case Study: Kerala's Krishi Bhavan
Kerala's Krishi Bhavan system, a network of agricultural extension centers, initially relied heavily on individual farm visits. While effective in disseminating specific technologies and building farmer trust, the system faced challenges in reaching all farmers due to limited resources and geographical constraints. The system has gradually integrated other methods like farmer field schools and digital platforms to improve reach and efficiency.
Conclusion
The individual contact method remains a powerful tool for agricultural extension, particularly when focused on building trust and providing personalized guidance. However, its limitations regarding cost and reach necessitate a blended approach, integrating it with other methods like mass media and farmer field schools. The future of agricultural extension lies in leveraging technology and adopting innovative strategies to reach a wider audience while maintaining the personalized touch that the individual contact method provides.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.