Farming Systems Approach - ICAR, Zonal Project Directorate (Zone-III)

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Sajeev M.V, V. Venkatasubramanian & A.K. Singhaleadership skills are essential features of an effective technology development, transfer andutilization subsystems. It is within the context of this overall framework that three mainsubsystems involved in the extension education programme of the rural areas have beendiscussed here.i) Research subsystemThe research or technology development subsystem plays a vital role in development of thenew technologies, the application of which expected to bring increase in production and othereconomic benefits to the farmers. The development of newer technology by the research subsystemin turn largely depends upon the perception of the researchers on the needs of the farmers, thefarming systems under which it is applied, available resources of the farmers and his socio-culturalcompatability. Therefore, the research subsystem cannot function independently as its objectivesand development goals largely depend upon the client system needs and potentials. The types ofagricultural technology that are developed for and adopted by farmers have a direct impact of theagricultural economy. An example is the development of labour saving technology. In this thetechnology largely aims at large scale mechanization which generally favours large scale productionunits. The land saving technology such as more intensive farming systems will tend to favour smallfarmers and producers. This system is mostly suitable to our rural areas condition as they absorbthe excessive labour of farm families in a productive manner and because they generally involvemany manual operations which need to be appropriate for small farm agriculture. At the same timethey are generally less suitable for large farmers unless there is an excessive supply of inexpensivefarm labour availability. Therefore, the research system alone cannot function independently andneeds to be actively linked with the client subsystem either directly or indirectly through the linkagesubsystem of the extension.ii)Extension Education SubsystemThe prevailing extension education approach in the rural areas is built upon diffusion theory. In operationterms, our extension workers concentrate their attention on the early adopter categories of farmers,and new technology is expected to trickle down through early majority, late majority and finally to thelaggards. This strategy is acceptable only when the government policies and research system does notfavour large farmers and if technology is not biased. In reality it is not so. In turn, mostly the resourceendowment of the farmers acts as the most important factor in affecting the adoption behaviour. Theinterpretation of studies on adoption behaviour of various client systems also revealed that many of thefarmers were mostly concerned with minimizing risk rather than maximizing profit. In addition, withtheir limited resources base availability in the islands the farmers personal system also plays an importantrole in accepting a particular technology. Therefore, with the proper understanding of the client system,appropriate types of improved technologies and extension education can be evolved for a broad basedagricultural development.The proper understanding of the client subsystems, the client and research subsystem linkagesare possible only through the extension subsystem and this can be achieved with ease when theextension subsystem follows appropriate educational strategy and mix. The suitable technologyFarming Systems of North East India23
Sajeev M.V, V. Venkatasubramanian & A.K. Singhaselection by the extension subsystem to the islands varied clientile needs most be based on theresults of on-farm research and extension trials. Generally, the subject matter specialists workingKVKS with extension workers need tobe involved in such on-farm research for getting first handinformation of the field applicability of a particular technology and the constraints involved for itseffective use. The extension personnel and SMS should help to locate representative farmers forthese trials and based on these On-Farm Trials (OFT), the technical committee has to recommendthe suitable technologies that need to be promoted. For a successful implementation of theserecommended technologies, well trained, open minded client system linked KCKS/SMS are neededalong with a suitable extension strategy and media combination. Efforts in these lines are need tobe made in these rural areas.iii)Farmers subsystemThe need for a broad based agricultural development has shifted our attention to a moreconsideration of the extension strategies and methods that are ‘appropriate’ for small farmers,including farm women, youth and settlers. The presence of different socio economic categories inrural communities, and that their circumstances are sufficiently different in the rural areas andtherefore it is to mean that appropriate technology must be developed and adapted by agriculturalresearch and then targeted through ‘appropriate’ extension programmes (which is presently notthere) to reach these major categories. The media of transformation of the selected message tothese different farmer categories need to be selected with utmost care on the basis of the clientsystem resources and cognitive styles. Therefore, instead of working with selected progressivefarmers in a community or rural areas and assuming that technology trickles down, it is importantthat each extension worker should understand the agricultural customs in his area, types of farmingsystem followed, socio economic and psychological distinctions of the farmers. Only by taking allthese factors in the client system under target, the extension specialist can aid the appropriatetechnology development and reduce some of the negative and disruptive social consequences oftechnological change and at last attempt an effective Transfer Of Technology (TOT) programme inthe rural areas.The education level of society at large and farmers in particular carries a significant influencefor the agricultural extension programme. First of all, it affects the educational level of the recruitscoming into the extension system. Secondly, it influences the technical competence that is requiredfor extension subsystem to assist farm families. Properly conducted vocational agricultural trainingcan expose the farmers to practical field or project experiences which gives knowledge about basicscience and a good foundation for the rural farmers of the rural areas about the agriculture and itstechniques.The usefulness of the systems approach for developmentWe have chosen for the use of the systems approach in Agricultural Development of North Eastregion since:24Farming Systems of North East India
Page 3 and 4: We sincerely acknowledge theconstan
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Farming Systems Approach - ICAR, Zonal Project Directorate (Zone-III)

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