Fundamental 10 Principles of Extension Program Planning

Extension programs aim to improve rural life through individual group and community action.

Fremont, CA: The principle is a universal truth observed and found true under varying conditions and circumstances. A principle is an essential truth and a settled rule of action.

Extension programs aim to improve rural life through individual group and community action. Therefore, extension program planning has definite principles despite the nature of the cliental and the Enterprises they may pursue.

1. Extension program planning should be according to analyzing past experiences, present situations, and future needs.

For program determination, sufficient information about the people and their situation has to be collected. Then, the current situation is analyzed and interpreted according to past experiences by taking local people into confidence; This shall aid arrive at future needs.

2. Extension program should have clear and important objectives which could satisfy the important needs of the people

The final objectives of program building are to meet the needs of the people. For this sake, significant objectives about the important needs of the people should be selected and declared. The focus Shall be on what is attainable rather than ideal; one should not lose sight of the latter.

3. Extension programs should be refinished the priority according to available resources and time

Rural people, especially in developing countries, have a multitude of problems. However, all problems cannot be taken up at a time for a solution because of the limitation of trained personnel, availability of funds, facilities, and other resources.

Time is also a confining factor as both the people and the funding agencies cannot wait for an unclear period to get the result; considering these parameters, it is essential to fix priorities in the program.

4. Extension programs should demonstrate the availability and utilization of resources

An extension program should state where the funds, facilities, supplies, and needed personnel shall be available and how these shall be used. This shall make the program practical & workable.

5. Extension programs should have a Common agreement at various levels

Programs prepared at the levels, such as village, district, state, and National levels, should conform to each other and shall not work at cross purposes. Similarly, a particular department's extension program should not conflict with or contradict another department's extension program.

6. Extension programs should entail people at the local level

Extension programs are carried out at the local level. Therefore, local people should be applied all through program formulation and implementation.

7. Extension programs should entail relevant Institutions and Organisation

Extension programs cannot be executed in isolation. On the contrary, it requires the support of many institutions and organizations. Therefore, the program should broadly indicate the Institutions and organizations involved and how they shall contribute to achieving the program objectives.

8. Extension programs should have a sure plan of work

The work plan may be separately drawn up or incorporated into the program. The program should, anyhow, broadly indicate how it will be performed. Unless the plan of work is made up, the program remains a theoretical exercise.

9. Extension programs should offer evaluation of results and revision of the program

An extension program is not just a static outline of proceedings. Instead, the program should provide periodic monitoring and evaluation of results to judge its progress. Then, as per the evaluation findings, the program should be suitably modified to reach its objectives within the stipulated period.

10. Extension programs should offer equal distribution of advantages amongst the members of the community

It has been revealed that in a community, the resources-rich person generally benefits more than the poor from implementing extension programs, which may generate social disparity and tensions. Therefore, the planning of extension programs should give adequate emphasis on the weaker section of the community.