(a) Mention four target groups of the extension agent. (b) Discuss five important qualities of a good extension worker (c) State four functions of an extension worker.
Explanation
(a) Target Groups of The Extension Agent: Commercial farmers. Subsistence farmers. Farmers' cooperative societies. Nomads. Youth Organisations e.g. Young Farmers Club. Non-governmental organisations. Fishermen/ fish farmers. Community Development Association. Bee keepers.
(b) Qualities of a Good Extension Worker:
(i) Originality: For an extension officer or worker to succeed as an agent of change, he must be original. He must have the native intelligence to be original in his thoughts, words and action.
(ii) Leadership: He must be a leader among leaders. He must be able to know the way i.e. his goal and lead the rural farmers to grasp and embrace that goal. He must be patient and able to inspire the rural farmers to achieve the goal.
(iii) Initiative: A good extension worker must have initiative to tackle problems himself before referring them to supervisors. He must be able to take steps without being directed.
(iv) Organisational Ability: The success of any extension activity will depend on how it is planned, organised and executed. He should be able to organise training of leaders.
(v) Problem Solving. Ability: A good extension worker must be able to recognise problems, define them in simple terms and solve then if they fall within his training and experience.
(vi) Clear Judgement: He must possess great foresight, he must be able to appreciate the problems of the farmers on the ground and know what to do to solve them.
(vii) Reliability Honesty: An extension worker must be reliable, a man of his words. If the agency sends him down to the rural area, he should go down to deliver the piece of information and bring back feedback. If the rural farmers discover that he is reliable, they can then assimilate the new innovation and research findings.
(viii) Communication Skill: An excellent extension worker must possess good communication skills e.g. good command of local language, boldness and oratory abilities.
(ix) Freedom from Local Politics: A good extension worker must not be involved in the local politics as as to win the confidence of all members of the target group.
(x) Respect for Culture and Traditions: He must be a good mixer for him to succeed. He must be able to come down to their level. He should dress like them, eat whatever they present, possibly drink their water, while not losing his goal for doing all these. By the wise behaviours he will win the hearts of the rural farmers. He should not feel superior to the farmers so as to achieve his goal. He must be approachable.
(xi) Technical Knowledge: With sound training, an extension worker must be able to impact knowledge. He should be able to motivate these adult learners to acquire knowledge
(xii) Punctuality and Availability: He should be able to attend all pre-arranged meetings, seminars, workshops, etc, promptly and always make himself available.
(c) unctions of an Extension Worker: To change peoples' outlook towards their living conditions. To teach rural people to recognise and take interest in their problems so as to overcome them To teach farmers improved practices using various methods, demonstrations, lectures, film shows, symposia, radio, etc, To act as a link between farmers and research institutes/Government. To teach farmers efficient management on the farms. To assist in obtaining loans and credits. To assist in locating markets for their farm produce, To monitor the use of Agric loans. To assist farmers tolocate sources of farm input. To evaluate the success or otherwise of the extension programme. To educate rural women on home management. To plan and execute farming educational programmes.