About Lesson
This approach was implemented from 1975 up until 1989. As implementation progressed, the extension service developed fatigue with this system due to the following reasons:
- The T & V system could not be replicated in other districts where the donor finance was not available as it was costly to sustain in terms of both financial and human resources.
- The main emphasis was put on technical recommendations which farmers and extension workers found uninteresting when the same messages were repeated.
- The system emphasized more on the production aspects, and in the absence of corresponding post-harvest and agribusiness activities for value addition, farmers, extension workers and entrepreneurs experienced disincentives to raise production and productivity.
- The support services for inputs, credit and marketing were weak compared to farmers’ demand due to weak partnership and linkage between extension and the various stakeholders.
- Extension workers lacked motivation, and regular supervision especially of the front-line Village Level Agriculture Assistants (VLAAs), was hampered. VLAAs were not motivated given the meager honorariums paid to them and eventually sought to discontinue making regular visits to contact farmers.
- The system could not be replicated in the hilly areas owing to poor communication infrastructure given the difficult terrain where households are more scattered.