The Extension Worker - Prof. Rubi R. Orbeta
- 1. The Extension Worker PROF. RUBI R. ORBETA BUCAF, ATD DEPT.
- 2. Content of the Presentation • Introduction • Definition/Description • Characteristic/Qualities • Roles
- 3. Extension is a process of effecting positive change in the lives of people particularly those in the countryside.
- 4. Introduction • While working conditions of extension personnel have deteriorated, expectations with regard to their role are increasing. • They are no longer to be simply transmitters of technical knowledge. • They are to practice participatory methods, recognize and respect gender issues, identify indigenous needs and problem solutions, and serve as a link to the world outside the village, to name but a few of the present topics. • The emerging role is closer to that of a "socio-economic community worker" (Blackburn & Flaherty, 1994, p. 16) than a technical expert, but their training is insufficient for either.
- 5. • The whole extension process is dependent upon the extension worker, who is the critical element in all extension activities. • If the extension worker is not able to respond to a given situation and function effectively, it does not matter how imaginative the extension approach is or how impressive the supply of inputs and resources for extension work. • Indeed, the effectiveness of the extension worker can often determine the success or failure of an extension program.
- 6. • The extension worker has to work with people in a variety of different ways and whose circumstances are different from his own • It is often an intimate relationship and one which demands much tact and resourcefulness. • He is an educated, trained professional working with farmers, many of whom have little formal education and lead a way of life which may be quite different from his.
- 8. • In his extension work, he basically intervenes in the life of the farmers in a particular area. • The extension worker is a CHANGE AGENT: he intervenes to bring about change in order to help improve the lives of the farmers and their families. • This is not an easy task and a series of issues arise in relation to this intervention. • The basic role in bringing change into a rural area and what areas of knowledge and personal skills would be useful in performing this role both need to be considered in this case.
- 11. The Role of Extension Workers a.Extension worker create awareness of innovation, something new or perceived to be unknown before to his/her clients. b.Persuasion of the usefulness or importance of the new technology c. Reinforcement of continued use of technology that is created. The interest to continue to practice the new idea that was introduced is sustained through supporting services e.g. input etc. d.Intermediary between the researchers and farmers. This is done by creating awareness to the farmers, and also taking of farmer’s problem to the researchers. e. Diagnose problems of his/her clients by telling them the way out.
- 12. f. Extension workers stabilize change and attempts to prevent discontinuance, individuals tend to seek confirming information for the decision they may make. Extension workers can effectively stabilize new behavior by directing, and reinforcing messages to those clients who have adopted innovation. g. extension workers act as catalyst to speed up the rate at which his/her clients accept changes or innovation. h. Extension worker is a solution provider that is he or she has an idea about effective solution to farmers problems. i. Extension worker play a role of resource linker that is linking them with necessary agricultural inputs, to locate source of finance for their farms. j. Strengthening and supporting farmer organization
- 13. Role of an Extension Worker An extension worker tries to: • arouse people to recognize and take an interest in their problems, to overcome these problems, • to teach them how to do so, • to persuade them to act on his teaching, • so that they ultimately achieve a sense of satisfaction and pride in their achievements.
- 14. As A Change Agent …… • a person whose primary role is to achieve a transformation of attitudes, behaviour and social organization. • are multi-purpose agents serving as links between government and people. • is a person who sets in motion a process of change after realizing that certain changes are necessary for the rural society. • is an activist whose main role is to help people form their own organizations in order to be able to tackle their problems. • is a professional who influences the innovation/decision-making process in a direction deemed desirable by the change agency.
- 15. Knowledge/communication/innovation The extension worker : • provides the knowledge and information that will enable a farmer to understand and make a decision about a particular innovation, and then for communicating that knowledge to the farmer. • seen as a vehicle of knowledge, usually of a technical nature, and as a teacher who instructs farmers in the use of this knowledge. • formally trained for this position and is provided with the technical knowledge and information which he must then communicate to the farmers. • work is usually highly structured and based on existing government policies and programs of rural development.
- 16. Educator/facilitator/catalyst educator, facilitator or catalyst, • may need to perform in the course of his duties, • associated less with the knowledge/communication aspect and more with the farmers' personal development. • less concerned with specific programs or targets and more with helping the farmers to gain confidence, to organize themselves and to begin to get involved in extension activities. • essentially to help support and actively encourage farmers to develop their own initiatives and to begin to tackle their own problems.
- 17. Teacher Facilitator Organizer Arbitrator Educator Broker Administrator Advocate Leader Consultant Enabler Catalyst Communicator Intermediary Activist Friend Motivator Listener Provider Stimulator
- 18. Knowledge and personal skills Knowledge Four main areas of knowledge are important and form the basis of extension training. • Technical. - must be adequately trained in the technical aspects of his work and have a good working knowledge of the main elements of the agricultural system in which he is working. • Rural life. - includes anthropological and sociological studies of the rural area where he is working, local traditions, practices, culture and values.
- 19. • Policy. - should be familiar with the main legislation of government or other institutional policies which affect the rural areas, development programs, credit programs, and bureaucratic and administrative procedures. • Adult education. - Since extension is an educational process, the agent must be familiar with the main approaches to adult education and group dynamics? and with the techniques of developing farmer participation in extension activities.
- 20. Personal skills It is more difficult to determine the personal skills required for extension work, and to train them in these skills. The area of personal skills is less easily covered by means of specific knowledge and information and often refers to skills that he either has or has not. A vast range of such skills has been suggested; these have been grouped together to present a list of the main areas of skills required of an extension agent. • Organization and planning. -must be able to plan extension work, to organize its implementation and generally to manage and effectively control an extension office and its activities. • Communication. -must above all be a communicator, both verbally and non-verbally, and this skill is the basis of all extension activity.
- 21. • Analysis and diagnosis. - must be able to examine situations which confront him, recognize and understand the problems that exist and propose courses of action. • Leadership. - should inspire confidence and trust in the farmers he serves, set them an example and take the lead in initiating activities. • Initiative. - may often have to work in isolation and unsupervised. He must have the initiative and confidence to do so without depending upon guidance and support from his superiors.
- 22. Personal qualities Qualities to look for when selecting extension workers. Some of the qualities suggested are personal characteristics, and it is important to assess whether he possesses them before appointing him to an extension post. The personal qualities required: - Commitment to extension work and to working, at times, in isolated rural areas, with a sense of dedication and determination to get some extension activities under way. - Reliability, both in terms of carrying out extension work and also in relations with farmers. An extension worker's superior officers must be able to rely on him to carry out his tasks without close supervision, and the local farmers must come to have confidence in his advice and support.
- 23. - Humility in his work with the farmers. The agent must be sensitive to the wishes and feelings of the farmers and work with them in a way that respects them as people who have knowledge and ideas to contribute. - Confidence in his own abilities and determination to achieve something. An extension agent is often left to work in isolation with little supervision and needs self- confidence and courage to do so.
- 24. • Public speaking • Public speaking is a skill to practice frequently. A principal task is communication; this inevitably involves public speaking to explain a new idea, conduct a demonstration or generally take part in a community discussion. • A public speech gives the extension person an opportunity to demonstrate his enthusiasm and technical knowledge. • Some people are natural public speakers and easily and competently arrange their material and present it in a way which is both interesting and intelligible to the audience. • On the other hand, if an extension worker is poorly prepared to give his speech and delivers it badly in an uncomfortable situation, then his efforts could be counterproductive.
- 25. Useful guide to public speaking for the extension worker Preparation -Prepare no matter how simple or unimportant the activity -Check the place where the talk is to be given. -Consider: interests, needs and knowledge of the expected audience. -Rehearse the talk beforehand, or at least the main points. - Do not try to memorize the whole talk; - Note the main points.
- 26. Content • The subject should be introduced and a general outline of the subject given. • The main body should contain the key points that the agent wishes to make. • A short, concise and well-thought-out talk will have far more effect than a lengthy, rambling presentation. • Take some care in the use of words and expressions and to adapt these, where possible, to the local context. • Avoid the use of over-complex technical language or jargon, which might confuse the audience
- 27. Delivery • Confidence is very important in delivery. knows what he wants to say, prepares himself says it clearly and effectively, • useful to develop a friendly style and to talk to or with an audience, and not at them. • no circumstances should one underestimate the intelligence of farmers and talk down to them.
- 28. • During a talk, posture and body movement are important. • Excessive fidgeting, gesticulating or other theatrical gestures can often distract listeners, although some gestures can be used effectively to emphasize a particular point. • Should continually observe the faces of his audience and take note of signs of interest, boredom or disapproval. • A talk should be a two-way communication process. • Ensure that his voice is loud and clear enough for all those present to hear. • Should try not to be nervous, and should not apologize in advance for any shortcomings. • A positive attitude to the delivery of a talk is very important. • Finally, the talk should be relatively short, about 15-20 minutes. Farmers will probably be unwilling to concentrate for longer than that, so the content should be restricted to the time available.
- 29. Questions and discussion • The audience should be told beforehand about a question and discussion period at the end of the talk, so it has time to prepare itself accordingly. • Should encourage the audience to raise points, and be prepared to stimulate a discussion. • A question and answer session alone should be avoided as this will discourage genuine dialogue and reduce the educational purpose of the talk. • The discussion should not drag on for too long, or be dominated by just a few farmers. It is also acceptable to direct questions to the audience in an effort to stimulate a two-way discussion.
- 30. Report writing • Extension worker are regularly called upon to write reports; indeed, a very common and serious constraint upon an extension persons work is the frequency and number of reports which he will have to prepare. • Invariably, these reports are demanded by an agent's superior and they can often take up a lot of time. • Report writing is an important aspect of extension work and should be undertaken responsibly, • but he should do all he can to avoid being overwhelmed by such reports or allowing the demands of report writing to interfere with practical extension work.
- 31. Extension Worker as a Leader • Leadership is crucial in agricultural extension services. • Leadership defined as a position, a person, a behavioural act, a style, a relationship or a process. • In the field of agricultural extension, leadership has critical strategic importance since it deals with developing groups of farmers in the community
- 32. • Agricultural extension worker in this sense serves as an administrative leader and coordinator for formulating, developing, implementing and evaluating agricultural extension programs as well as develop farmers in managing resources in the rural areas. • He guides the extension education activities for farmers as groups or individuals towards the purposeful pursuance of given objectives within a particular situation by means of extension communication methods.
- 33. Three Major Lessons for Agricultural Extension Workers a It is important to make new things visible; An important role of extension is to make visible the state of the environment and the extent to which present farming practices are untenable. In addition, extension can demonstrate the feasibility of sustainable practices. Even more importantly is to give farmers the tools for observation and to train them to monitor the situation on their own farms. b. The use of farmers’ knowledge; the location-specific nature of sustainable agriculture implies that extension must make use of farmers’ knowledge and work together with the farmers. Often, indigenous practices, which have been ignored under the impact of chemical farming, can be fruitfully revived. Indigenous technology development practices and farmers experimentation can be an important ‘entry point’ for introducing sustainable farming practices (Brouwers and Rolling, 1999) c. An emphasis on facilitating learning; Instead of ‘transferring’ technology, extension workers must help farming ‘walk the learning paths’. Extension workers should seek to understand the learning process, provide expert advice where required, convene and create learning groups, and help farmers overcome major hurdles in adapting the technologies.
- 34. Extension workers advice to extension worker • Aim for credibility and confidence with an open mind • "The adviser does not hold the ultimate key to 'development"'. • "Listen, observe and say little." "Respect the rhythm of the farm families " • Observe carefully and listen patiently! • Get to know the country and its people well! • "First gel to know the conditions thoroughly and only then start elaborating concepts." "Be considerate towards the language and customs of the farmers."
- 35. • "Learn to see things with their eyes." "The farmer bears the consequences of any change on his farm." • Make the welfare of the farm family your center of interes • Learn from the farmer's example! • "Recognize the reasons for the use of existing techniques." "First find out what the farmer knows better than you." • "Farmers can often explain things to other farmers better than extension workers can." "Help to solve problems without imposing your own opinion
- 36. • Recognize the farmers as independent and experienced partners. • Aim for professional competence !! • "Don't give contradictory advice." "The extension worker must be able to combine theory and practice." • "Discuss the innovations with the farmers and adapt them to suit their resources." "Assess with the farmers the overall impact of an innovation."
- 37. • Adapt innovations to local conditions and assess them within the overall context !! • Plan and assess together with those involved and those affected! • "Stop a while, look back and reassess with your partners the work done." "Listen to the farmers' opinions." • "The counsellor must ask the right questions." • What have we forgotten?
- 41. Our actions today will shape our future Photo by Yeb Sano
- 42. Photo by Yeb Sano Reference: 1. “The Extension Worker” Dr. Leilani D. Pavilando 2. “The Crucial Role of Agricultural Extension Workers in Agricultural Technology transfer ” PDF 3. Pictures credit to the owner: BU Extension, Prof. Alberto Gonzales, Dr. Antonio Payonga