EXTENSION METHODOLOGIES AND APPROACHES

By DR. EVELYN ARO-ESQUEJO, MNSA Assistant Director for Planning and Special Concerns Agricultural Training Institute, Quezon City

Presented during the 1st Agriculturists Congress, held on November 18, 2004 at the Convention Plaza Hotel, Bacolod City.

INTRODUCTION
What is EDS? The Need for a Strong EDS

What is EDS?
An organized service involving the sharing of technical knowledge on better and improved methods and practices in farming, home and community activities and affairs for farmers, homemakers and their children to increase their production and improve their living conditions.

The Need for a Strong EDS?

TO REDUCE GAP BETWEEN TECHNOLOGICAL KNOW HOW AND PRACTICE Work closely with agricultural
research in accessing new information and improved technology; Collaborate with farmers in testing technologies in their fields and in feedbacking results to researchers;

The Need for a Strong EDS?

Reduce technically worded
research work to the farmers language;

TO MAKE FARMERS MORE COMPETITIVE, SUSTAINABLY PRODUCTIVE AND EMPOWERED Link farmers to agricultural
inputs, credit, markets, processors and policy decision makers.

GLOBAL TRENDS IN EDS

External Pressures on
Organizations Global Shifts in Organizations Implications on EDS Trends in EDS The Challenge

External Pressures on Organizations

Economic Pressures
Environmental Issues, Equity and Social Justice Technological Changes Deregulation Improved Productivity and Quality Assurance Global Competitiveness

Global Shifts in Organizations

Old Paradigm
Seniority an asset Management Human labor Middle managers 8-5 work hours Local Gold as currency Bigness Stability Predictability Hierarchy Mass production Hiring Production oriented

New Paradigm
Seniority as a liability Leadership Automation Computers Teleworking/telecommuting Worldwide competition for labor Information as currency Smallness Change Flexibility Empowerment Specialty shops Outsourcing/leasing Customer/client oriented

Implications on EDS
Shift from a production-driven
approach to a market-driven approach, including consumers demands for: Product consistency Reliability of supply Food safety Product choice Sustainability of production

Implications on EDS
Concern for the environment, especially issues of: Water quality and quantity Soil salinity Acidification and degradation Air quality Climate change and equity.

Implications on EDS
Increased globalization resulting
in greater competition and growing power of transnational companies especially in the food industry research, processing and marketing Reduced government involvement in agriculture and rural services and increased privatization including resourcing of research

Implications on EDS
New technologies involving a
trend to patented input systems, including
Genetic manipulation of plants and animals Precision farming Information management

Increased recognition of the

clients knowledge and ingenuity

Implications on EDS
Development of an
industrialized system of agriculture, with
Increased vertical integration A systems approach to agri industries Implementation of industry wide quality assurance

The Challenge
Clients/ Competition Customers
Why Do We Want To Be Better?

Cost

Crisis

Trends in EDS
Establishment of learning communities Development of knowledge from experiences and from linking action research with other development research activities Sharing knowledge systematically Establishment of vibrant partnership at all levels to enhance learning and sharing processes Marketing core competencies

Trends in EDS
Replication: Franchise approach Mandated replication Staged replication Concept replication Spontaneous/endogenous replication Networking as a tool for dissemination Wide range of professional development initiatives Emphasizing open learning and flexible extension delivery

Trends in EDS
Extension Approaches Participatory approach Project approach (integrated) Commodity based approach Training and visit approach University-Based extension Privatized or Commercial extension Client-based and client-controlled extension

PARADIGM SHIFT IN PHILIPPINE EXTENSION

Todays Philippine EDS Extension of Tomorrow The NEAP Networking

Todays Philippine EDS

Individual/Personal: Group:
Personal Visits, etc. Farmers classes, FFS, Meetings, Result/Method Demo/Farm Models/ Showcases, etc. Print, Radio & TV

Mass Media:

Extension of Tomorrow
E-Extension Contracted Extension Services of the Private Sector SUCs as ESPs Agro-Chemical Company Extension Strategies Elementary Schools: Vehicles for Techno Transfer

Extension of Tomorrow
Youth/HS Students Rural Based Organizations ATI Alumni Internship and OJT in BS Agricultural extension courses Para-Extensionists/ FarmerTeachers

Networking
Process bringing diverse people,
groups, organizations or communities working together to share each others resources in response to a common need or problem;

Pursuing development action to

create patterns of progress larger than those of individual members;

Uses of Networking
Exchange and/or dissemination of information Policy advocacy Human resources development Research and planning Data storage and retrieval Technology transfer/diffusion of innovations Community Projects Institution building

Characteristics of a Functional Network

Open: accepts other members Informal: bypasses bureaucracy Creative: tries out innovative approaches Flexible: accepts an issue, a problem or
need in whatever context Active: meets problems/needs within desired immediacy, seriousness Coordinative: synchronizes efforts Transactive: negotiates for needed resources

Approaches in Networking
Referral Approach

Relay Approach

Approaches . . .
Distribution Center Approach

B N

Approaches . . .
Interest Group Approach

B
C

Desirable Conditions for Networking

Commitment to give and take arrangement Close coordination Assessment of internal and external resources Sharing of responsibility through teamwork Quality consciousness Existence of an effective M&E scheme Supportiveness of members Shared leadership Participative decision making

Types of Networking

Lateral Networking Heterogenous peoples, groups, organizations or communities that bond together to establish peer relations Vertical Networking Members cooperate with each other upon a leaders order or suggestion, to obtain objectives they have committed themselves to

Enhancing Networks
Bonding
Access, common frame of reference, shared leadership, interdependence, coordination, complementation, cooperation, negotiation