and Integrated Pest Management - part - usaid

EXI-NSION-COMMUNICATION STRATEGII.S INTI IAI.AND
farmers of the same social status within the village, and not so much
in
wilh
neighboring
those
villages. There exists, however, a tendency for those
gained
who have
firsthand knowledge of a new technology not to pass it on readily to thcir
fellow farmers. It is, therefore, of utmost importance in extension programs
the farmer
that
leader or conutct farmer is one that is sufficiently open-minded
willing
and
to pass on new knowledge for the benefit of the broader community.
The use of mass media (rdio, television) has proved to be insufficient
communicain
for
,g extension information. Active-seeking behavior by
themselves
farmers
at information souIces ;n the viilhge, and even in larger urban
(agricultuml
centers
officc, dealers of agricultural production goods, etc.) seems to be
most
die
irnpoiant delerm ir--t in the adoption of new tchiu if t.(I! tme C onomic
benefit of the tc:hnology is very obvious, farmers themselves wil
adoption
initiate
process
the
on the local level. lowever, presently in Thailand,
information supply to fatrmers is still too inadequate in quantity and quality to
facilitate rapid adoption of new technologies.
The Structure and Quality of Plant Protection Extension
As has been stressed previously, the staff of the plant protection service
insufficient
is
in number to transfer the project's technology package to
number
a large
of farnmers. At least 50% of the surveillance technicians are alreal
good
y very
communicators and the project has been actively engaged in increasing
practical
their
skill in this subject. Nevertheless, their role remains a dual one
technician
­
and ,xtension agent - because they are still responsible for
Surveillance
the
Crop Loss Fields in their respective surveillance
Cooperation
areas.
with the Kaset Tambon should be stressed to improve overall
effectiveness of plant protection extension. With increasing recognition
importance of
of
the
the National Agricultural Extension System by farming
communities throughout thi country, the sub-district extension
continue
agent will
to become more effective as a tangible source of information
farmer.
for the
A continuing input of adequate operational funds from the Department
of Agricultural Extension, both for the field activities of the Plant Protection
Service Division and of the Kaset Tainbon through the Provincial Agricultural
office, will be needed (luring the remaining 8-10 years of the project, and
beyond.
CONCLUDING REMARKS
In view of the above discussions, it is pertinent to ask how we can improve
the ex'tension/communication situation for a better diffusion of the SEWS
technology.
We believe that, using the Plant Protection Farmer Centers and the recent
introduction of two attractive posters containing comprehensive informnation on
the use of pest surveillance and the economic threshold, tile Thai-German Plant
Protection program is on the right track to reach its specific target. However.
many more Farmer Centers are needed. Preparations are tnderway to create a
"slogan" type of poster which shows the particular benefits of SEWS in a very
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