Paper Code and Title: H12EE Extension Education

Module Code and Name: H12EE01 Extension Education: Meaning, Definition, Scope and
Importance
Name of the Content Writer: Dr. Basavaprabhu V. Jirli

Component – I

Role Name Affiliation

Principal Investigator Dr. N. Vasugi Raaja
Co-Principal Investigators Dr. G. Bagyalakshmi
Mrs. E. Indira
Dr. K. Arockia Maraichelvi
Dr. G. Baradha
Paper Coordinator Dr. S. Rajalakshmi
Content Writer Dr. Basavaprabhu V. Jirli
Content Reviewer Dr. R. Netaji Seetharaman
Language Editor Dr. Basavaprabhu V. Jirli
Avinashilingam Institute for
Home Science and Higher
Education for Women,
Coimbatore
Avinashilingam Institute for
Home Science and Higher
Education for Women,
Coimbatore
Avinashilingam Institute for
Home Science and Higher
Education for Women,
Coimbatore
Institute of Agriculture
Sciences, Banaras Hindu
University, Varanasi
Tamilnadu Agricultural
University, Coimbatore
Institute of Agriculture
Sciences, Banaras Hindu
University, Varanasi

Component-I (B) Description of Module

Items Description of Module

Subject Name Home Science
Paper Name Extension Education
Module Name Extension Education: Meaning, Definition, Scope and Importance
Module ID H12EE01
Pre-requisites Aware of extension system, specialist in the field
Objectives To understand the concept of Extension Education, Meaning, Levels,
Definition, Scope and Importance
Keywords Extension, education, linkage, leadership, youth, community
Paper Code and Title: H12EE Extension Education
Module Code and Name: H12EE01 Extension Education: Meaning, Definition, Scope and
Importance
Name of the Content Writer: Dr. Basavaprabhu V. Jirli

EXTENSION EDUCATION: MEANING DEFINITION, SCOPE AND IMPORTANCE

1.1.1 Meaning of the term “Extension Education”

When we come across the term “Extension” first and foremost thing coming to our mind
is it is like “Ravindrapuri Extension” or “Rajaji Nagar Extension”, electric wire “Extension Box”
nowadays in the language of computers there is a ‘file extension’ also. Is it the thing that we will
be discussing throughout this lecture? NO, the term Extension has its roots in Latin word ‘Ex’
means out and ‘Tensio’ means stretch, put together we can say that taking anything out of the
four walls of source institution is termed as extension. There is one more term suffixing
extension is education. Collectively we come across the term ‘extension education’. Then what is
this education? Education is the process of bringing desirable changes into the behavior of
human beings. Then next question arises is what is desired? The desired changes are change in
knowledge; change in skill and change in attitude. Then the question remains is what is extension
education? The general perception regarding education is if we acquire education, then it will get
a degree or diploma etc. we try to identify it as part or type of formal education. Extension
education is that type of education, which will not produce any degree/diploma etc but interested
in changing the behavior of people.

The concept of extension was instigated in United Kingdom around the year 1840 for
taking the outcomes of research conducted in various fields of science in Universities. The
scientists involved in research were curious to share their research outcomes with the community
in a way the common man can understand. It was popular exercise among the communities.
Later the concept moved to United States of America, and took the shape of service along with
the educating communities. Rest of the world followed the suite in subsequent years. In this
context we can say that Extension is one of the youngest sciences which has history of about 175
years. In Indian context even though the concept of extension prevailed with civilization of
human race, formally it was not recognized as ‘Extension service’ or ‘Extension education’.
Similar services were available to the communities by the members of society, but not under the
banner of extension. Over a period of time the concept was accepted by society and extension
was developed as a profession and a discipline.

The term extension education has different connotations in different countries. In United
States of America, Extension means Education, they believe in providing education, so that
extension service is automatically taken care of. In United Kingdom extension means, Advisory
work. In case of Germany it means enlightenment. While in France extension means
“Vulgarisation” with a meaning lighting the pathway. An Austrian understands extension as
furthering, means taking things ahead while in Spain it is capacitation, meaning capacity
Paper Code and Title: H12EE Extension Education
Module Code and Name: H12EE01 Extension Education: Meaning, Definition, Scope and
Importance
Name of the Content Writer: Dr. Basavaprabhu V. Jirli

building of people. In Dutch extension means “Voorlitching” means simplifying the complex
message for the benefit of common man. In Korea it is rural guidance, but in Malaysia it is
showing torch. The countries have made their efforts to put meaning in their own way but the
crux of these meanings is all these nations leaves the responsibility of outcomes of extension
process to the end users but in case of India the term extension education is largely understood as
“Transfer of Technology”. Wherein the extension service provider retains the responsibility of
transferring the technology rather than end user. If the technology has not reached anybody
means it is not transferred by extension agency. Hence largely we can understand the meaning of
extension education as “Reaching the unreached and constantly enriching the reached”

1.1.2 Levels of Extension

Both these processes viz., reaching the unreached and constantly enriching the reached
are done by extension professionals. The process of reaching the unreached is largely done by
the extension service providers or field extension professionals. The process of constantly
enriching the reached is being done by extension educators or centre extensionists. These are the
two levels extension education operates.

1.1.3 Definition of Extension Education

Now coming to more holistic understanding of the concept of extension education. The
available definitions of extension education can largely be classified into two groups as we have
made efforts to understand levels of extension.

At the outset whenever there is mentioning of extension education, it is popularly

understood in the context of extension service only. This type of misconception prevails among
extension academia also. This is only one face of the coin. The other face is real education,
specially extension education. Hence to begin with let’s take the definition of extension service
given by J. P. Leagans (1961). Extension education is an applied science consisting of contents
derived from research, accumulated filed experiences and relevant principles derived from
behavioural sciences synthesized with useful technology developed into a body of philosophy,
contents, principles and methods focused on the problems of adults and youth. The components
of definition deals with providing appropriate services to a specific target group may it be adult
or youth, may undertake any profession. Also the definition reveals that extension is a hybrid
science basically meant for making people innovative. As it is evident from the definition that
the content of extension comes from research. What is that research that we are referring to?
There are two aspects. One the outcomes of the research which are technologically or
economically beneficial to people in general and respondents of extension in particular. The
second aspect is extension research. The outcomes of the extension research specially which
benefit extension service providers as a conceptual and methodological support. These things are
Paper Code and Title: H12EE Extension Education
Module Code and Name: H12EE01 Extension Education: Meaning, Definition, Scope and
Importance
Name of the Content Writer: Dr. Basavaprabhu V. Jirli

synthesized with useful technology which are technically profitable, economically feasible and
socially viable and specially focusing on the addressing the problems of adults and youth.

The definition which emphasizes on educational aspect of extension was revealed by

Dahama. He says that Extension Education is an educational process to provide knowledge to
rural people about improved practices in a convincing manner and to help them to take decisions
within their specific local conditions. This definition emphasizes on providing knowledge to the
people. Now the question arises can we transfer knowledge from one person to another? If your
answer is “YES” you are grossly wrong. We cannot transfer knowledge, but we can provide only
the information. It depends on the receiver to translate the received information into knowledge.
Information is the product of interpretation of data received/collected from various sources. So
now we are aware that when we attach certain meanings to data, it translates into information
and when we make an effort to understand the information it is converted into knowledge. So as
per the definition of Dahama, Extension Education emphasizes on providing appropriate
knowledge to the people. The sole purpose of this process is to help the people to take
appropriate decisions. When are our decisions appropriate? It is only when we have appropriate
knowledge about the issue under consideration.

While National Commission on Agriculture puts Extension Education as an informal,

out of school education and services for the members of the farm family and others directly or
indirectly engaged in farm production to adopt improved practices in crop, livestock and
fisheries production, management conservation and marketing. Wherein we can see that this
definition is advocating combination of education and service aspects. The key element of the
definition is extension education is an out of school education. Where we are making an effort to
understand the concept of non-formal education. Non formal education is carried under the frame
work of formal education but with certain deviations. The beauty of non-formal education or
Extension Education is, it starts with practical aspects and ends with theoretical aspects. We
don’t find the obligatory aspects of formal education like attendance, fixed syllabus, fixed hours
of classes etc, but with certain modifications it involves all the characteristics of formal
education. Under non-formal system of education, both teacher and learner are the beneficiaries
of experiences and accumulated knowledge of each other.

This is how extension operates at two levels one to provide education and other to
provide service.

It is evident from the discussion that extension is an educational activity as well as service and it
is for all. Basically extension helps people to help themselves. Extension believes in working
with groups of people rather than working for the people. Extension believes in teaching people
learning by doing and seeing is believing. Essentially it is a two way channel. Extension is a
living relationship between people and extension workers. Extension education is a continuous
Paper Code and Title: H12EE Extension Education
Module Code and Name: H12EE01 Extension Education: Meaning, Definition, Scope and
Importance
Name of the Content Writer: Dr. Basavaprabhu V. Jirli

process in which both teacher and learner contribute and gain. Ultimately we can understand
extension as a science of making people innovative.

1.1.4 Forward and backward linkages of extension education

The popular understanding of extension is, extension is a bridge between research

institutions and farmers or housewives. But the discipline of extension education maintains
beautiful linkages with various institutions. Yes, as the popular understanding goes, there are
excellent forward linkages with the communities (includes, farmers, farm women, house wives,
youth etc.). As a part of backward linkages of extension maintains powerful linkages with
research and development institutions (financial institutions, input supply agencies, non-
governmental organizations, cooperative institutions, governmental agencies etc.). These forward
and backward linkages make extension education as well as extension service more effective and
meaningful.

1.1.5 Scope of Extension Education

Education intends to produce desirable changes in behavior of people. The changes in

behavious obviously lead to changes in living standards of people and these changes are
generally termed as development. An individual demands it and a nation needs it. The concept of
development has many dimensions. Bringing changes in living standards of people is the primary
focus area of extension education. To achieve this ultimate goal, the niche areas which focus the
scope of extension education include;

1. Enhancing efficiency in production: may it be agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry,

home science etc, we need to increase production as well as productivity for which system has to
be efficient. The basic element to achieve enhanced production is “Knowledge/Information”
once we start making use of knowledge for production and enhancing productivity, then we can
see the change. This change has to be planned and implemented in such a way that we get the
desired results. It is the role of extension education. The moment we bring it under systems mode
the efficiency is enhanced. People need to be educated in this regard, that’s where primary scope
of extension education lies.

2. Enhancing efficiency in marketing, distribution and utilization: at this juncture the first
question comes to the mind is what is the role of extension in marketing? There are two aspects
that we need to look into. First organizing people into groups and second one providing
appropriate information regarding issues associated with marketing. Looking into typical nature
of Indian agriculture in general and various production systems in particular, it can be concluded
that extension has a dominant role to play in enhancing efficiency in marketing, distribution and
utilization. If we look into agricultural production and marketing systems, about 80% of the
Paper Code and Title: H12EE Extension Education
Module Code and Name: H12EE01 Extension Education: Meaning, Definition, Scope and
Importance
Name of the Content Writer: Dr. Basavaprabhu V. Jirli

production and marketing units are small and marginal. With their limited units of production,
small and marginal producers lack bargaining power in marketing of their produce. If you don’t
bargain, you won’t get better price in the market, then the chain reaction continues. Then what is
the way out? the way out is organizing small and marginal producers into groups. This particular
effort has seen many ramifications over a period of time. Whenever people (small and marginal
producers) have organized themselves there is change in socio economic status of people.
Extension is playing the role of binding force behind organizing people into groups. The
organized efforts started with concept of cotton cooperative marketing societies in 1904 and
current extension approach is organisisng small and marginal producers into group as “Producer
company”. Producer Company is an innovation brought by amending the companies act in 2005.
But during this journey of more than a century the crux of modus operandi remained same, i.e.,
people should come together to envisage change. The outcome of the change is termed as
development, and extension has a role to play in development

3. Conservation, development and use of natural resources. The natural resources are the part and
parcel of nature. Many of natural resources are non-renewable in nature. What is the role of
extension in conservation, development and use? Had we understood the importance of natural
resources, it would not have given the scope for extension. Then how to address the issue? The
way out is extension, what and how it will do it? Extension has its own way of bringing people
together and addressing the issue. May it be Operational Research project, Lab to Land
programme, watershed approach, participatory approach etc., are some to quote here.

4. Management on the farm in the home: Extension plays a key role in identifying a place for
everyone and putting everything in its place. This is what precisely management is. Clients of
extension are constantly in search of information regarding the inputs for management of
resources. May it be human, financial or material, it needs a skilled manager. Extension has
potential of translating individuals into managers. Once the managerial skills are acquired by
individuals, purpose of extension is achieved. Hence there is lot of scope in this direction.

5. Family living: Of the five basic social institutions we study in sociology, the primary social
institution is family. It provides base for all processes. The extension inputs target each and
every individual in a family. The principle of extension “Whole family approach” clearly spells
out the role of family and involvement of family in extension services. The definition of
extension also emphasizes on addressing the problems of adults and youth, which covers the
entire family. The discipline home science has a great role to play in family living. The issues
addressed in human development lead to better family living and through which achieve the
objectives of extension.

6. Youth Development: The most productive phase of life, needs to be nurtured properly for
achieving long term objectives. If the phase of life is productive, then, the entire life will be
Paper Code and Title: H12EE Extension Education
Module Code and Name: H12EE01 Extension Education: Meaning, Definition, Scope and
Importance
Name of the Content Writer: Dr. Basavaprabhu V. Jirli

productive. Hence catching the phase is very important. Extension approaches, principles and
definitions pay special attention to youth.

7. Leadership development: when we come across the term leader, the first and foremost picture
comes into mind is ‘Political leader’, and we reserve our expressions for political leadership. Is it
the connotation extension is going to promote? No, lets understand the concept of leadership. It
is not limited to only political leadership. There are various types of leadership viz., professional
leader, religious leader, opinion leader, prominent talent leader etc. What makes you a leader? A
quality lying within you makes you leader. The only thing is you need to identify the quality that
is lying within you. If you are not able to identify the quality of yours, extension plays a key role
in this direction. Extension helps you to identify the quality lying within you, which can make
you a leader. There are methodologies of identification of leader for taking up extension services.

8. Community development: As per the definition of Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)
Community development is possible only when governmental efforts are supported by peoples
efforts. It means it’s just like a simple chemical equation, when governmental efforts are clubbed
with peoples cooperation the outcome is development. There is definite role of extension here.
Governmental efforts are as a part of governmental policies, extension play a key role in
formulation of policies. Also extension has role in ensuring peoples cooperation is making policy
initiatives a reality.

9. Public affairs: every common man has to deal with many public affairs in a day today life. To
deal with each issue, needs professional skills. May it be information regarding the governmental
schemes or information related to technology etc. Gathering information is only one aspect of
management of public affairs. The most important thing is getting its benefits. Is an individual
ready to get the benefits of programmes of the institutions? As per the records available there are
about 160 programmes/schemes going on related to agriculture and allied sciences. But how
many are aware of these 160+ schemes, and how many are really getting the real benefits of the
schemes? I am sure it’s a billion dollar question still waiting for appropriate satisfactory answer.
Under such circumstances’ we can feel the role of extension education. How it is making people
aware of the schemes and becoming a mediating agency in getting the benefits to the people.

1.1.6 Importance of extension

A literate man is having comparatively more options of access to sources of information

than an illiterate man. Neo-literate and illiterates are facing challenges even today for getting
appropriate information from a valid source. Here comes the role of extension service providers
and extension educators.
Paper Code and Title: H12EE Extension Education
Module Code and Name: H12EE01 Extension Education: Meaning, Definition, Scope and
Importance
Name of the Content Writer: Dr. Basavaprabhu V. Jirli

According to Adivi Reddy, you cannot apply yesterday’s techniques today and be in the
business of tomorrow. What is that we need to understand out of this phrase? Through this
phrase the author wants to reveal the importance of extension education in our professional life.
We might have been educated in any of our specializations, and we might be good in our
specialization but if we don’t acquire the day today developments in my area of specialization,
nobody will be talking to me in the long run. It applies to every profession. In medical profession
they update knowledge through CME means Continuing Medical Education. In other professions
also we have such facilities in case of agriculture and allied sciences it is Extension Education
which supports regular updating of knowledge of professionals.

Conclusion

To comprehend the issues discussed so far, the concept of extension education is

responsible for translation of complex research information into common mans language.
Extension operates at two levels, as service and education. Basically extension service is having
the features of non-formal education, with some deviations from the features of formal
education. The definitions also emphasizes on service as well as education of people. The scope
of extension embraces almost all aspects of life. Over a period of time it has become part and
parcel of our life, without which the concept of development may become an imaginary word.
Hence we can say that extension plays a dominant role in development of communities in
general and agriculture and allied sciences in particular.