Vivekanand Ashram’s
Vivekanand Agriculture College
Vivekanand Nagar, Hiwara Bk., Tq. Mehkar, Dist. Buldana-443301
Affiliated to Dr.Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola
College Code : 11144 Intake Capacity : 120
College Code : 11144 Intake Capacity : 120
Agricultural Extension and Communication is a key discipline in agriculture that focuses on transferring scientific knowledge and modern technologies from research institutions to the farming community. It plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between agricultural research and on-field practices, ensuring that innovations in crop production, animal husbandry, soil management, and agribusiness effectively reach and benefit farmers. This subject combines elements of education, communication, sociology, and rural development to bring about desirable changes in the attitudes, knowledge, and skills of farmers.
Extension Education: Study of principles, methods, and philosophy of extension education for adult learning. Focus on non-formal education systems that help farmers learn new skills and practices outside traditional classrooms.
Communication for Development: Use of verbal, visual, and electronic communication tools such as farm radio, video, posters, SMS alerts, and social media. Application of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) in agriculture for real-time information delivery and farmer advisories.
Extension Methods and Approaches: Use of techniques such as demonstrations, farmer field schools, group discussions, result demonstrations, and method demonstrations. Conducting farm and home visits, exhibitions, field days, kisan melas, and campaigns for mass awareness.
Training and Capacity Building: Organizing skill-based training programs to enhance farmers ability to adopt new technologies. Building leadership qualities and decision-making skills among progressive farmers, rural youth, and women farmers.
Adoption and Diffusion of Innovation: Understanding how and why farmers adopt new technologies or resist change. Studying stages of adoption, communication channels, and the role of opinion leaders in technology transfer.
Rural Sociology and Psychology: Insight into rural social structures, customs, traditions, and behavior which influence technology adoption. Understanding farmer motivations, perceptions, and social influences in the decision-making process.
