multipurpose tree species research for small farms: strategies ... - part

exhibitions, field visits and public tree planting
festivals creates awareness among the villagers and
motivates them to participatc in tree planting. The
Government of India sponsors a National
Environmental Awareness campaign carried out by
governmental and non-governmental organizations
and schools annually during the month of
November.
Organization of Extension Campaigns
For effective promotion of reforestation
programs, it is bust to organize a systcmatic
campaign using nultiplc media, spread over a long
pcriod of time, using appropriate messages for
different target group.,
In a hcterogcneous village community
composed of niixed income and caste groups, it is
difficult for an outside extension agcncy to
introduce a dcvclopmentiprogram to reach only a
particular sector such t small-scale farmers. Such
programs may not attract the attention of the
target groups, and they often reach only the more
progressive farmers who have been successful in
proevious vcnturcs. The elite farmers often
riisguide the small-scale farmers by telling them
not to participate in the program iftlie weilthier
group is not involved in it. Therefore, tile
extension cami aign should cover the entire .Illagc
community, whilc the program may be focuscd to
benefit the small-scale farmers.
Field Demonstrations
Publicity is an effective tool to motivate farmers
but its impact isshort- lived, however effective it
may be. Therefore, follow up activities such as
field visits and dcmonstrations can be organized to
prcsti further cvi,,:ncc of the usefulness of the
Program !o the miot ivated flrnicrs. The ;mpact of
eld demonstrations is fairly long lasting and it
makes it easier to convince tIlL farmcrs of the
benefits of the new technology.
Training
Training is the next step for the farmers who
decide to take part in the program. Skill- oricntc-d
training in the field, well obefore the initiation of tile
activity, can help in the adoption of apprpriate
Icehnology while reducing the cost.
Ti-raining can be more effective if it is organi/cd
at various ilcrvak,, and adapted to local needs.
The frequency and duralion of such training
programs depeul:, on the components of ihe
pi ogram and the clucational level oif the farmers.
102
A program of merely planting indigenous trees
may require only short training sessions, while
planting exotic trees and processing the produce
would necessitate training of longer duration to
teach specific skills.
In the initial stages of tihe program, training
helps to cncourag- the hcncl,-i;,,ies to take an
active role and to reduce the risk of failure.
Initial success motivates the farmers to manage
the program efficiently and encourages others
to participatc. Most of the farmers vatch the
early adopters bcforc they take part themselves.
Thcreforc, timely training to avoid failures
wOuld greatly benefit the expansion of social
forestry programs among small-scale l'armr, in
rural areas.