Extension Education

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Extension Education

Extension education is largely the process of teaching rural people how to live better by learning ways to improve their farm, home and community institutions.

It is ‘helping people to help themselves’ by changing their behaviour (knowledge, attitude and skills).

Hence, an extension educator must simultaneously wear multiple hats — that of a teacher, guide, friend and philosopher. To be a successful extension educator, you must not only have a sound knowledge and understanding of the subject, but also an interest and ability to work for and with villagers. The profession, while challenging, can also be very satisfying.

In addition to several other universities, almost all the State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) and four National Institutes (NIs)/Deemed Universities (DUs) of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) offer Master’s and doctoral programmes in different branches of extension education.

Institutes under ICAR:

• Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi.
• Courses: MSc and PhD in Agricultural Extension Education
• Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), UP
• Courses: Master of Veterinary Science (MVSc) and PhD in Veterinary Extension Education
• National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Haryana
• Courses: MSc and PhD in Dairy Extension Education
• Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE), Mumbai
• Courses: Master of Fishery Science (MFSc) and PhD in Fishery Extension Education.

Besides getting teaching and research positions in different educational and research institutions, as an extension educator, you can also be employed by national and international NGOs engaged in rural development and related research activities.