Agricultural Extension – SS3 Agricultural Science Lesson Note (First Term)

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES: At the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to

1. Define agricultural extension
2. State the objectives of agricultural extension
3. Discuss the problems facing agricultural extension

Agricultural extension

Agricultural extension is the application of scientific research and new knowledge to agricultural practices through farmer education.

 Agricultural extension officers are intermediaries between research and farmers. They operate as facilitators and communicators, helping farmers in their decision-making and ensuring that appropriate knowledge is implemented to obtain the best results about sustainable production and general rural development.

 Objectives of agricultural extension

1. Increase in agricultural production
2. Teachers improved farming practices
3. Collection and collation of basic information
4. It is an intermediary between farmers and research institutes
5. Supervision of agricultural loans
6. Changes people’s attitude towards their problems
7. Raises the standard of living
8. Identification of proper marketing channels
9. Acquisition of skills.
10. Teaches land management techniques
11. Teachers improved practices in product processing
12. Supervision of agricultural development programmes

 Problems facing agricultural extension

1. Farm or agricultural input is inadequate and often gets to the users (farmers)very late
2. Non-involvement of extension officers
3. Inadequate transport facilities
4. Inadequate motivation of extension agents
5. Poor supervision of farmers
6. Information to farmers is usually delayed and distorted due to poor training of the extension agents
7. Many agents are ignorant of the traditions and customs of their system. Making it difficult for them to receive an audience
8. Very few extension workers are available to work with too many farmers i.e. there is the low extension-farmer ratio
9. Poor facilities for extension communication which limits the scope and efficiency of coverage
10. Target farmers are largely illiterate and find it difficult to follow instructions
11. Inadequate extension tools: Extension tools and facilities are grossly inadequate for the extension work to succeed

EVALUATION:   

1. Define agricultural extension
2. State the objectives of agricultural extension
3. Discuss the problems facing agricultural extension

CLASSWORK: As in evaluation

CONCLUSION: The teacher commends the students positively