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Moderated conference on rural advisory services for family farms: 1-18 December 2014

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"Moderated conference on rural advisory services for family farms: 1-18 December 2014" <[log in to unmask]>
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Mon, 1 Dec 2014 18:19:13 +0100
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I am Mahesh Chander, Principal Scientist (Agricultural Extension), Indian Council of Agricultural Research, currently posted at the Indian Veterinary Research Institute as Head, Division of Extension Education.



The theme “Tailoring rural advisory services to family farms" is very timely, relevant-demand driven! Thanks to the organizers for the opportunity to be able to participate!



A Situation Assessment Survey of Farmers in India by the National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO) on Access to Modern Technology for Farming indicated that only 5.1 percent of the households access information on animal husbandry (NSSO 2005), while 41% of households access information on modern technology on crops. This Survey also revealed that the main sources of information on animal husbandry in India are the progressive farmers (29%), followed by the input dealers. Most of the public and private sector extension initiatives are focusing on crop husbandry and largely neglect the information delivery on animal husbandry. However, successful information and extension delivery models for strengthening livestock sector growth need constructive feedback from different categories of livestock keepers including landless livestock owners.



Many studies have also indicated weak scientist-extension worker-farmer linkages adversely affecting agricultural productivity. There is little interaction between extension workers and scientists regarding farmers’ needs and their feedback on the technologies. There is very little opportunity for farmers to interact with the scientists. In many situations, the extension agents are also aloof to the farmers’ needs. This poor feedback or weak linkages leads to development and promotion of technologies which are inappropriate to the farmers’ situations resulting in wastage of resources. When we are talking of “Tailoring rural advisory services to family farms", we must keep in mind the findings of all these reports particularly the micro-level studies done, including by student researchers in agricultural extension. Effective extension services can help develop appropriate technologies and their speedy transfer to the target group farmers only when micro-level situations are correctly assessed before making interventions.

 

Dr Mahesh Chander

Head

Division of Extension Education

Indian Veterinary research Institute, 

Izatnagar (UP) 

India

Phone +91 581 2302391, Fax: +91 581 2303284

Email: Mahesh64 (at) email.com

 

[Some background to the Situation Assessment Survey of Farmers mentioned in the message is available at http://www.fao.org/fileadmin/templates/ess/documents/meetings_and_workshops/RAP2009/STAT-EMPOWER-6.pdf (400 KB). Also, the report referenced near the top of the message is: 

NSSO, 2005. Situation assessment survey of farmers: Access to modern technology for farming. National sample survey, 59th round (January–December 2003). Report 499(59/33/2). New Delhi: Government of India, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. http://planningcommission.gov.in/sectors/agri_html/access%20to%20modern%20technology%20for%20farming%2059%20round%202003.pdf (6.4 MB)...Moderator].



[To contribute to this conference, send your message to [log in to unmask] For further information, see http://www.fao.org/nr/research-extension-systems/res-home/news/detail/en/c/264776/  



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