Individual contact methods
Individual Contact Methods of Extension
Individual or face-to-face methods are probably the most universally used extension methods in both developed and developing countries. The extension agent meets the farmer at home or on the farm and discusses issues of mutual interest, giving the farmer both information and advice. The atmosphere of the meeting is usually informal and relaxed, and the farmer is able to benefit from the agent's individual attention. Individual meetings are probably the most important aspect of all extension work and invaluable for building confidence between the agent and the farmer.
Learning is very much an individual process and, although group methods enable the agent to reach a greater number of farmers, personal contact with and the individual attention of the extension agent are important supports for a farmer. The personal influence of the extension worker can be a critical factor in helping a farmer through difficult decisions, and can also be instrumental in getting the farmer to participate in extension activities. A farmer is often likely to listen to the advice given by the extension agent and will be grateful for this individual attention.
the individual method, in which the agent deals with farmers on a one-to-one basis; and (b) the group method, in which the agent brings the farmers together in one form or another in order to undertake his extension work. Each of these methods demands different approaches and techniques on the part of the agent, and these will be examined later.
The two methods are suited to different purposes. It is important for the extension agent to consider the range of individual and group methods at his disposal and to select the method appropriate to the situation. It is also important to remember the educational purpose of extension work, and to ensure that the method selected is used to promote the farmers' better understanding of the technology involved. Both individual and group extension methods involve the agent in a face-to-face relationship with the farmer, and this relationship should be one of mutual confidence and respect. The agent, therefore, must think carefully about his use of individual or group extension methods and ensure that his relationship with the farmer is sensitively developed.
Course Material
- Conditions for effective use of extension teaching methods
- Learning situation, learning objectives, learning experiences
- Use of a variety of teaching methods
- Individual contact methods
- Field and home visits
- Office and telephone calls and personal letters
- Group contact methods
- Method and result demonstrations
- Meetings, group and panel discussions
- Symposia, seminars, workshops
- Field days, field tours and field trips
- Brainstorming, role playing and buzz group
- Mass contact methods
- Electronic media i.e. TV, radio, computers, cell phones etc.
- Print media i.e. books, newspapers, magazines, newsletters etc.
- Critical analysis, planning, conducting and making follow up of various extension methods
- Chapters 16
- Department Agricultural Extension
- Teacher
Dr. Muhammad Arshad Javed
