Module 2 is about the importance, objectives, and scope of Agricultural extension.

Agricultural
Extension is very important in bridging the gap between the government agencies to the end users
which are the farmers. Knowledge transfer is very vital because it aids the farmers to upgrade their
farming systems and increase their yield. When there is a greater yield, there is a greater income for the
family. They will have a better living and greater purchasing power to satisfy their needs and even a little
luxury. With Agricultural extension, the research is extended where it is needed and will not just be put
away hidden in an old bookshelf. If the farmers’ lives are improved, so are the communities where they
belong to, which in turn contributes to our national economy. Equipping the people with the ability to
develop and help themselves on the own is the ultimate objective of Agricultural Extension. The scope
of agricultural extension revolves around different areas including agricultural production, marketing,
distribution and processing of farm products, environmental protection and natural resources
development, proper farm and home management, family living, youth development, leadership
development, community improvement and research development, and public affairs.

Module 2 helped and enlightened my mind that the Agricultural Extension is one of the important
subjects in the agriculture program. It is important for us future agriculturists to learn this subject as we
can become a catalyst of change in our community. As I have observed in our community, many farmers
still apply what they have learned from the previous generations. Although some practices were proven
through time, there are few who does not have scientific basis. Some people in our community do not
also like to be corrected nor taught because they would feel as if insulted. They have farmed for many
years and then someone who is younger and new to the field would teach and correct then is an insult
for some. These are real challenges of agricultural extension workers in the field. The intention to do
good, to help is there, but the clientele may not be as receptive always. While in school, we must
develop and understand how can we handle these types of clients that we might have in the future. In
doing so, we may reach different people from different areas that we might be assigned to. We may
serve them best when we are able to understand them, their needs, and their situations. We must have
an adaptable nature as we can immerse well in different cultures, traditions, and personalities. The
heartwarming feeling of success can be achieved by seeing a person whom you shared your knowledge,
has utilized his or her learning as a stepping stone to a better life. It is a beautiful idea to be a part of
someone’s success over the years. It’s one thing to teach a person, but it’s another thing if that person
acknowledged your teachings. Hand in hand we may work for the betterment of our nation, starting
with agriculture.
Module 3 is all about the philosophies and principles of Agricultural extension. The foundation of
Agricultural extension is educational philosophy. The philosophical qualities of Agricultural Extension are
discussed below. First, Education is the most permanent way through which to bring about change;
extension is fundamentally education. This can be related to an often quoted saying which goes, “Give
man a fish, and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” Giving a
farmer a bag of fertilizer would only address his soil nutrient problem for a short term only. But if you
will teach that farmer how to take care of his soil, how to make alternative sources of fertilizers, etc , he
will be able to make use of these knowledge as long as he wants to. As future Agriculturist, we should
focus on giving solutions and helping our farmers in the long run. Although it may be a long and tedious
process, but we shall reap the rewards of our hardship in the future. Second is that effective extension
education must be based upon freedom of choice, voluntary participation and that participation in
extension activity functions best when democratic processes are applied. This means that we must
understand the situations of our clientele and give them the freedom if they wanted to learn or not. We
can only influence them by having different techniques on how to entice them to participate. But we
must keep in our minds that their family is their first priority and most of them are farmers,
homemakers, and out of school youth. Third one is that extension must be a form of education that
teaches people to do things, not a system of doing things for people. This relates to the first idea that
was stated and the quote that was mentioned. If we can teach them, we can improve their mindset and
they will improve their lives. Fourth is that idea must be put to work for the betterment of the human
race. Pursuing knowledge for its own sake is like keeping tools locked up in a tool chest. Knowledge
must be put to work. This statement is an anthropocentric way of thinking. But as humans, we care for
each other and we want our future generations to continue thriving on earth. We must share our
knowledge to help conserve what we can pass on to our future children. Fifth is that knowledge can only
be transferred through a process of man helping his fellowmen. This is through teaching them that we
can truly help them. And lastly, that there is no fundamental difference in the intellectual abilities of any
race or sex, if given a chance to acquire education and given the right stimulus and incentives to improve
their capacity to put knowledge and skills to practical use. This means that education is equal in all levels
and knows no sex or race. There is equality to education that everyone has a right to it.

There are nine dimensions of Agricultural extension as discussed in module 4. The first dimension is the
altruistic dimension which is aimed at helping farmers. This is the selfless act of helping another person.
We become selfless by sharing our knowledge and skills to our clientele. Educational dimension is the
second dimension of Agricultural extension, where in it is a non-formal method of adult education thus
extension professionals must be imbued with knowledge on how adults learn. the clientele would be
people coming from the agricultural sector which consists of farmers, homemakers, and out of school
youth. These people have already knowledge on farming which they acquired through experience. This
poses a challenge to our agricultural extension workers but eventually they get through it. Third is the
communication dimension. Of course, when we are teaching people, we communicating to them. It is
important that we know how to speak the mother tongue of our clientele as it helps them to fully, if not
better understand what are we teaching them. Behavioral dimension is the fourth one. Extension aims
at inducing behavioral changes among farmers. If the farmer has not changed his behavior, no extension
has been done. This means that if the farmer has taken the advised of the extensionist, he develops the
change in mindset that is to open their mind to the new practices and technologies in agriculture which
might help alleviate their poverty. Technology dimension is the fifth one. Extension should be able to
identify the technologies appropriate to clientele. It is hard to teach someone when the technology that
you are offering is not aligned with the current situation of the client. Sixth is research dimension. As we
know agriculture is program with many sciences. There are many new researches that will be helpful to
those employed in the agriculture sector. It is vital for extensionist to relay this information and pass it
effectively to its clientele. Input dimension is the seventh dimension. We have different learning styles
and capabilities. It is necessary that the agricultural extension worker would be able to utilize different
inputs to better teach the people in the agricultural sector and to equip them with the appropriate
knowledge to produce better yields while conserving the soil. Income dimension is the eight and it is
aimed at increased income for the farmer through increased production and productivity. When farmers
are educated with the new technology, they will try to apply it to gain better yields. Lastly, the
management dimension focuses on the aim to function according to sound management principles. It is
important to apply management principles so that the conduct of every extension work is reliable and
efficient. These dimensions are what fuels the mind and eventually opens them to be able to effectively
handle the clientele. Always keep this all in mind, as this will be the foundation for the sooner years to
come. Food security should be our main priority and so is everyone.