The Evolution of Agricultural Extension: A Comprehensive Review of Historical Developments and Modern Practices
Prashant Maratha *
Agricultural Extension Education, Mata Bhagwati Devi Dev Sanskriti Mahila Krishi Mahavidyalaya, Siswali, Baran, Rajasthan, India.
Shefali Soni
Agricultural Extension Education, Agriculture University Kota, India.
Saurabh Singh
Agricultural Extension Education, Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur, U.P., India.
Narinder Panotra
Institute of Biotechnology, SKUAST, Jammu J&K -180009, India.
Lalit Upadhyay
SKUAST, Jammu, India.
Mandeep Singh Azad
SKUAST, Jammu, India.
Sandeep Kumar
Department of Agricultural Extension Education, SKNAU, Jobner, Jaipur, India.
Arvinder Kumar
KVK, Reasi, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Since the beginning of agricultural extension in the 19 th century, agricultural extension has gone through extraordinary changes as being a mere transfer mechanism of knowledge has been refined into complex participatory methods. In this exhaustive review, the historical path of agricultural extension services is explored in analysis of major paradigms of technology transfer to farmer-first paradigms. The paper examines contemporary extension practices such as digital platforms, farmer field schools and innovation systems and also deals with the current issues concerning climate change adaptation, market linkages and sustainable intensification. This review centers on the most important success factors such as participation of farmers, institutional backing and integration of technology through the analysis of global case studies and Indian experiences. These results indicate that successful extension systems involve pluralistic methods comprising of the society, the business and the civil society. Future paths stipulate the necessity of the demand-driven nature of services, gender-based approach and integration of climate-smart agriculture.
Keywords: Agricultural extension, transfer of technology, involvement of farmers, digital agriculture, sustainable development