Foundation of

Agriculture Extension
A practical hand book for undergraduate student

PREFACE
It is our great pleasure to involve as subject matter specialists in designing (conducting) the
manual for practical courses, under the course foundation of agriculture extension (2+1) for
th
the undergraduate student of B. Sc. (Ag.) under 5 semester. This manual tries to
encompass the years of experiences in rural development sector especially in agricultural
planning and development, participatory research and innovation and the agricultural
extension. We are grateful to the larger number of students and professional colleagues
who has expressed themselves about the usefulness of this book and for the suggestion for
further improvement.

Mahesh Jaishi, Bishnu Kumar Bishwakarma & Lochana Shahi

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Title of the handbook: Foundation of agricultural extension: Practical manual for
undergraduate students

Authors: Mahesh Jaishi, Bishnu Kumar Bishwakarma & Lochana Shahi

Publisher: Mahesh Jaishi

Year of Publication: 2015

ISBN:

© 2015
All right reserved

The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this publication are entirely those of the
authors and should not be attributed in any manner to the organization or its affiliated organizations,
or to the members of it’s the countries or community we represent.

The material in this manual can be photocopied and reproduced without written permission of
the publisher if the original text is properly acknowledged and the objective is not for profit. If
any sections of the handbook are translated into other languages, please send a copy of this
material to the Mahesh.jaishi@gmail.com.

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 PREFACE

In every village and community or settlement that we have visited around the country, we
have been profoundly moved and impressed by the spirit, will, creativity, and determination
of people to live and provide for their families, even in the most difficult circumstances. Our
challenge as outsiders is to find ways of tapping and unleashing the inherent creativity of
people to mobilize resources, come together, and solve their own problems.

The course fundamental of agricultural extension has been designed so that the students
can select and apply the most appropriate process, approach and techniques in developing
rural and community development programme and understand the importance of socially
organized groups and their mobilization in the development activities. This course will also
enable the student to understand the gender concept and issues in agricultural sector.

The main objective of the course, Foundation of Agriculture Extension is to develop

students’ ability to describe the basic concept of different types and forms of education, their
philosophy, principles, objectives, process and practices. This course will also help to
develop students’ understandings and ability to apply the knowledge of agricultural
extension system.

To achieve these fundamental objectives of the course, a practical course has been
designed to enable the student to use some exercise tools and suggest so that student after
passing out as an extension agents, could advice those farmers to select their most
potential farm enterprise. Moreover, this manual enable to undergraduate student to learn
and practice different planning process of farmer groups, line agencies and development
partners.

We dedicated this new edition of book to the future students and teachers, farmers,
professionals.

-Authors

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 TABLE OF CONTENT

EXERCISE PARTICULAR SIGNATURE OF

INSTRUCTOR
EXERCISE: 1 PREPARATION OF INDIVIDUAL FARM LEVEL
LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION AND MARKETING
PLAN
EXERCISE: 2 PREPARATION OF INDIVIDUAL FARM LEVEL
VEGETABLE PRODUCTION AND MARKETING
PLAN
EXERCISE: 3 VISIT AND INTERACTION MEETING WITH
COMMUNITY GROUP WITH AN NGO AND
STUDY THEIR PLANNING PROCESS
EXERCISE: 4 OBSERVATION OF ASC/DLSC OF DADO AND
DLSO’s PLANNING PROCESS
EXERCISE: 5 OBSERVATION OFPARTICIPATORY LOCAL
LEVEL PLANNING PROCESS AT THE LOCAL
LEVEL
OBSEVATION OF COMMUNITY LEVEL
EXERCISE: 6 AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN
FACILITED BY DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES
EXERCISE: 7 VISIT AND INTERACTION MEETING WITH
COMMUNITY GROUP FORMED DADO/DLSO
FOR EXTENSION PROGRAM

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 Exercise: 1
PREPARATION OF INDIVIDUAL FARM LEVEL LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION AND
MARKETING PLAN

Objectives

 To be able to prepare individual farm level livestock production plan

 To be able to make suggestion for individual farm owner about the production cost,
expenditure and net profit

1. Feasibility assessment of a livestock enterprise

New and experienced business owners, regardless of history or current situation, can
benefit from business planning. As a producer, you may have developed a business or
whole farm plan when you first acquired your farm or at least established goals for what you
wanted to achieve. You may now be considering how to go about achieving those goals
through a livestock production enterprise. Which livestock will you choose and what is the
cost/benefit of production? What are the resources and skills that you will need? What
quantity and quality of product will you need to produce to be profitable? Is your land and
resource base capable of achieving these production targets?

These are all important questions and need to be researched and answered with
confidence before you take the plunge and start investing in a single or mixed livestock
enterprise. This is business planning and if it is done right, it can save you a lot of time,
money and energy. Regardless of your circumstances, business plans are essentially
‘living’ documents and once they are developed they need to be reviewed and updated
regularly to reflect progress made, identify new opportunities or threats and map out any
changes that you envision for the future of your business.

2. Major consideration
This exercise is designed to take you through a logical, step by step approach to the
development of a Livestock Production Plan. This may be an element of a broader business
plan or a stand-alone document. It’s up to you to decide the format of your plan. Whatever
you decide, it must be practical, meet your needs and those of your key stakeholders (e.g.
business partners, bankers).For livestock enterprise you need to consider the followings;

 Business and personal goals: consider your lifestyle preferences, financial needs and
skills.
 Be realistic with your expectations,
 Enterprise choices: consider the advantages and disadvantages of different
enterprises,
 Think about your customers/processors: Do you have a buyer? Availability of a
suitable outlet for your product. Proximity to the processor/customer – there
are implications for cost of transport, welfare of animals and quality of end
product,
 Assess the suitability of the land for enterprise: – Shelter, soil type, climate, feed
availability, access to water, topography, and threat from predators, established
infrastructure such as fences.

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 Consider the scale of your operation: Size required being economically viable. –
Associated labor requirements. – Infrastructure requirements. – Resource availability
(quality and quantity of feed and water). – Is there room for expansion?
 Consider the financial implications: gross margins, return on investment and cash flow.
Consider how the new enterprise fits with existing enterprises.
 Planning considerations: – Consideration for neighbors. – Consideration of land
capability – be aware of fragile areas. – Potential impact on catchment. –
Permit requirements.

3. Example of the enterprises

Below a proposal for a cow farm as a sample enterprise has been given so that it make
easier to students to make a study. Students are advised to not to copy the enterprise and
select the enterprise of their own interest.

Name of the farm: Sundar Krishi Uthpadan Tatha Anushandhan Kendra Pv.Ltd
Address: Chisapani-5, Lamjung, Nepal
Project proposed address: Chisapani-5, Nepal
Capital: 10 Million
Nature of business: Milk production, milk, cattle and manure trading

Table 1: Name of major promoters/Shareholder and share holding Pattern:

S.N Name Designation Share holding
1 ……………… Executive Director 50%
2 ……………… Chair person 40%
3 ………………….. General Member 10%

Farm being managed by: ………………………..

Major Objective of the farm

 Milk production and trading- is this the major product or others?
 Cattle production and trading
 Manure production and trading

FEASIBILITY OF FARM

Financial planning
Out of 10 million initial investment 30% will be bear by the shareholders and remaining 70%
will be collected through the national financial intermediaries as a loan. The least interest
rate provider will be chosen as financial intermediaries. Repayment of the loan will be done
according to the financial condition of the company.

Human Resources
Adequate human resources including the labors are key to manage the farm operation and
provide required inputs in time. The farm should have either sound technical persons or
service linkages with such capacities to provide timely services.

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Technical Aspect
The farm is located in the sub-tropical region of mid hills. So the climate will be favorable for
chosen breed, Holstein and Jersey crosses. The project area (Tanahun) is also been
recommended by GoN for AI mission to improve the breed quality for incensement of the
milk production.

Environment Aspect
The farm will be run through intensive farming system. Therefore the available pasture and
range land won’t be affected by the animal in the farm. The produced by-product of the farm
will be composted and re-used for production of feed and fodder. So no negative impact will
be created by the farm to the locality and environment.

Social Aspect
The proposed business plan does not have any negative impact on the social custom,
culture and norms of the society. The farm can play the multiplier effect to the periphery of
the farm.

Commercial Aspect
Most of the requirement of farm will be produced within the farm and other input which is
not available in the farm will be purchased from the nearby market, Dumre bazaar,
Tanahun. The milk will be sold to the commercial dairy of Pokhara and Chitwan, cattle will
be sold within the Nepal from Farm and manure will be sold to the nearby farmers.

Assumptions
i. Cows
 Production level: 12 litre/day/cattle @300 Days
 Cost : Rs.75,000/ each
 Period between successive calving : 14 months
 Pure milk sold @ Rs.30 per lit

ii. Feed Cost

 Dry fodder @ Rs.3 per Kg , Green fodder @ Rs 3 per Kg , Concentrate @ Rs.25/ Kg

iii. Feeding
 Dry fodder @ 5 Kg / day; Green Fodder @ 20 Kg /day; Concentrate @2 Kg /day
(Maintenance ration, needs to be adjusted with production, general thumb rule
for Cow: Milk production 3Kg); Mineral Mix @ 30 grams per day (Rs.100 per Kg.)
iv. Insurance: Crossbred cow @ Rs.1600 per animal per year
v. Veterinary Care: @ Rs.500 per animal per year.
vi. Labor ( Mostly family): @ Rs.7000/ month for 10 animals
vii. Interest: @ 10%
viii. Cost of Construction: @ Rs.1000 per square feet

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Table 2: CAPITAL, EXPENSES, SALE, INCOME AND PROFIT OF FARM
A. Capital investment

Particular Number/square feet Rate Amount

Milch cattle 42 75000 3150000
Heifer 50 20000 1000000
Milch cattle shed 1280 1000 1280000
Heifer shed 1000 1000 1000000
Store 252 1000 252000
Silage pit 256 300 76800
Dung pit 160 50 8000
Equipment

Milking machine 1 300000 300000

Chaff cutter 1 30000 30000
Generator 1 75000 75000
Wheel barrow 3 5000 15000
Cream separator 1 60000 60000
Deep Freezer 1 200000 200000
Shovel 5 500 25000
Electric water pump 1 15000 15000
Water tank 1 5/lit 25000
TOTAL 7489300

B. Fixed expenses
Details of expenses Amount
Interest on Capital @10% 500000
Depreciation on Building @10% per year 133680
Depreciation on equipment @ 10% per year 72250
TOTAL 705930

C. Recurring expenses
Details of expenses Expenses per year
Feed 2764875 per year
Labor 637000 per year
Veterinary care @Rs.500 per animal /year 46000 per year
Total Recurring Expenses 3447875
TOTAL EXPENSES ( B + C ): 705930+ 3447875= 4153805

Debit credit Ratio: Net operation income/Total debt service= 3447875/705930 = 4.88

D. Income
1. Sale of Milk
Details Annual sale (liter)
Total Milk Produced 151200 annual
Total Milk Sold 151200 annual
Milk Sold as Pure Milk @Rs.30/lit 4536000 annual

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2. Sale of Manure @ Rs.2/Kg
Manure production @10 kg/large animal/day
Manure production @4 kg/small animal/day
Total manure from large animal= 42*10*365 =153300.00
Total manure from small animal= 50*4*365 = 73000.00
Income from manure = 153300+73000 = 226300 @2 =452600

TOTAL INCOME: 4536000+452600= 4988600

E. Profit
NET INCOME – TOTAL EXPENSES (Fixed + Recurring)
=Rs 4988600- Rs 4153805 = Rs. 834795
Profit per animal/year: Rs 19876 Profit per
animal /month: Rs. 1656

F. Trend of farm
1. Actual trend of animal in farm
Year 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th
Cattle 42 42 82 71 75 75
Heifer 50 21 25 25 25 25
Pregnant Heifer 0 50 21 25 25 25
Total 92 113 128 121 125 125
Cattle for sale 0 10 32 21 25 25
No mortality counted

2. Trend of Income (gross)

2.1 From sale of cattle
Hypothesis: Rs
75000/cattle
Year 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th
Number of cow 0 10 32 21 25 25
Total Income 0 750000 2400000 1575000 1875000 1875000

2.2 Milk
Hypothesis: 12 litre of milk/cattle/day on average
: Rs 30/litre of milk
: Cattle gives milk for 300 days
Year 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th
Number of cattle 42 32 50 50 50 50
Milk production 151200 115200 180000 180000 180000 180000
Income 4536000 3456000 5400000 5400000 5400000 5400000

2.3 Manure
Hypothesis
Manure production 10 kg/large animal/day, manure production 6/kg/pregnant animal/day
manure production 4 kg/heifer/day
manure market price Rs 2/ kilogram

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 Year 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th
Cattle 306600 233600 365000 365000 365000 365000
Pregnant
heifer 0 219000 91980 109500 109500 109500
Heifer 146000 61320 73000 73000 73000 73000
Total income 452600 513920 529980 547500 547500 547500
3. Total income

Year 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th

Sale of cattle 750000 2400000 1575000 1875000 1875000
Milk 4536000 3456000 5400000 5400000 5400000 5400000
Manure 452600 513920 529980 547500 547500 547500
Grand total 4988600 4719920 8329980 7522500 7822500 7822500

4. Trend of labour requirement

Hypothesis: 1 person per 10 large animal and 1 person per 20 small animal
 Rs 7000/labour/month,1000 increment in every two year
 13th month salary will be given
Year 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th
Number 7 10 12 11 11 11
Amount 637000 910000 1248000 1144000 1287000 1287000
5. Feed expenditure
Year 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th
Cattle 1916250 1460000 2281250 2281250 2281250 1368750
Pregnant heifer 0 532717.5 532717.5 634187.5 634187.5 634187.5
Heifer 848625 848625 424312.5 424312.5 424312.5 424312.5
2764875 2841343 3238280 3339750 3339750 2427250
6. Veterinary service requirement
Rs.500/animal
Year 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th
Amount 46000 56500 62500 62500 62500 62500
7. Total expenditure
Year 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th
Labour 637000 910000 1248000 1144000 1287000 1287000
Feed 2764875 2841343 3238280 3339750 3339750 2427250
Vet 46000 56500 62500 62500 62500 62500
Total 3447875 3807843 4548780 4546250 4689250 3776750
8. Net income
Year 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th
Income 2223725 1878578 5091700 4182750 4482750 5395250
Interest 500000 500000 450000 350000 250000 150000
Instalment 0 500000 1000000 1000000 1000000 1500000
Depreciation 705930 705930 705930 705930 705930 705930
Net income 1017822 172647 2935770 2126820 2526820 3039320

Based on this farm income and expenditure

 Calculate BC ratio  Calculate net present value
 Calculate IRR  Calculate break-even point

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 Exercise: 2
PREPARATION OF INDIVIDUAL FARM LEVEL VEGETABLE
PRODUCTION AND MARKETING PLAN

Objective

 To be able to prepare individual vegetable production plan

 To be able to make suggestion individual farm owner about the production cost,
expenditure and net profit

The Production Plan

It encompasses all the details surrounding how your farm operation will produce products
for market. It includes such things as land, buildings, equipment, supplies and processes,
as well as laws and regulations that impact the business. Production is the core income
producer for a farm, so farmers have to suggest to make detailed attention. Small farms
face serious problems in this complex and dynamic production and marketing system. The
farmers often make management decisions without fully considering such components as
cost of production, financing, market demand, associated farm risk, and profitability of
return on investment. Following are the knowledge about and integration of all levels of
production and marketing systems are required to improve profitability and viability of
individual farm.

1. Land, buildings and facilities - Description of land and buildings used by the
farm operation
2. Equipment - Description of equipment, vehicles, machinery used in the farm operation
3. Materials and supplies - Description of materials and supplies used in farm production
4. Production strategies - Production procedures. What to produce, when to produce
it, when to market it.
5. Construction/production schedules - Schedule of production and schedule for
construction of new facilities
6. Environmental assessment plan - Soil conservation, soil types, water quality control,
manure management, etc.
7. Political and legal aspects of production - Zoning, environmental policies,
regulations and laws which effect production.
8. Quality control and inspection requirements

Land, Buildings and Facilities

In this section you will include a detailed description of the land and all of the buildings
used by the farm operation. This needs to be specific. For instance, rather than listing
"barn" you should include the size of the structure and what activities will take place
inside of it. Include things such as fencing in this description. The idea is to have a
complete and detailed description of the physical facilities available. If there is an intent to
lease land, that too should be included here.

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Equipment

Here you will include each piece of farm related equipment. Tractors, implements, trucks
and other vehicles that will be used as part of the farm operation are obvious things to list.
Don't forget things like computers, printers, office equipment, etc. Also remember to list
other equipment that will be used that might include hand tools, shop equipment,
irrigation equipment and such.

Materials and Supplies

Include all materials and supplies necessary for the operation of the farm. Feeds and hay
are obvious examples. Less obvious are fertilizers, soil amendments, gasoline and oil and
other consumables, as well as materials that will be necessary for maintenance and repair.
It is important to capture as many foreseeable expenses as possible in this section.

Table 3: Fixed cost and depreciation

Depreciation Depreciation
SN Particular Unit Rate Total % Amount
Plastic house
1 construction 5 20000 100000 20 20000
2 Spade 5 500 2500 20 500
3 Shovel 3 500 1500 20 300
4 Pegs 1 1000 1000 20 200
5 Water pump 1 8000 8000 20 1600
6 Crate 15 500 7500 20 1500
7 Garden pipe 5 1000 5000 20 1000
8 Sprinkle 5 1200 6000 10 600
9 Water tank 1 50000 50000 5 2500
10 Automatic spray 2 15000 30000 20 6000
11 Labor house 1 30000 30000 5 1500
12 Water Harvesting pond 1 40000 40000 7 2800
13 Sickle 5 500 2500 20 500
Total 284000 39000

Production Strategies

It is important to not only identify what you are producing, but how you are going
to produce it. Include projected schedules.

Will you have spring or fall beginnings?

When and how will your produce be sent to market?

How will your production expand over time?

When will you know that you have achieved optimum size and production?

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Table 4: Seasonal calendar of vegetable production
Months in BS
SN Particulars 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
1 Cauliflower
2 Broccoli
3 Cabbage
4 Sponge Guard
5 Bitter Guard
6 Bottle Guard
7 Tomato
8 Brinjal
9 Chili
10 Coriander
Broadleaf
11 Mustard
12 Carrot
13 Spinach
14 Mustard Leaf

Construction/Production Schedules

By now you should have a vision of your farm's annual operations, as well as an idea of
what it will look like over the long term. In this section include both. For instance, for a
vegetable production, you will need to plan for nursery operation season and production
season. You will need to plan for routine husbandry (weeding, harvesting, marketing,
storage care, etc.). Experience has shown that it is helpful to have these things scheduled.

For the longer term, it is important to have an idea of when that new poly house will need
to be built, the new pond, fenced, the nursery, storage, manure pits etc. Having a plan for
these things will assist in controlling costs and budgeting.

Environmental Assessment Plan

In many areas of the country there is a growing emphasis on good stewardship of the
environment. It is wise to have a plan in place for this. How will you manage manure?
What steps will need to be taken to assure water quality, including run-off from pastures,
stream protection, etc.? If erosion on your land could be a concern, what steps will need to
be taken to control that? Many areas will have access to Government Agencies (e.g. Soil
and Water Conservation) that can provide information to help with developing this part of
the plan.

Conclusion

The component of your business plan establishes the framework for tracking cash flow,
growth, and overall profitability. After all, in the end it is what is produced that generates
income from a farm operation. Take time to think through the details of this part of your
operation.

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Table 5: Year round yield and income calculation of vegetable
Yield Per Total Market Gross
SN Particulars Ropani area Total Yield price Income
1 Cauliflower 700 10 7000 30 210000
2 Brocauli 600 5 3000 40 120000
3 Cabbage 2000 7 14000 10 140000
4 Sponge Guard 2000 5 10000 20 200000
5 Bitter Guard 1000 5 5000 40 200000
6 Bottle Guard 1800 5 9000 10 90000
7 Tomato 1000 5 5000 40 200000
8 Brinjal 2000 5 10000 15 150000
9 Chilli 1000 3 3000 50 150000
10 Coriander 150 10 1500 100 150000
11 Broadleaf Mustard 1200 7 8400 25 210000
12 Carrot 1000 5 5000 20 100000
13 Spinach 600 5 3000 20 60000
14 Mustard Leaf 150 15 2250 20 45000
Total 92 2025000

Table 6: Yearly production cost and cost estimation

Area of Total cost
production Seed requirement Per unit of seed
SN Vegetables (Ropani) (Gram) cost (Rs) (Rs)
1 Cauliflower 10 10 50 5000
2 Brocouli 5 10 60 3000
3 Cabbage 7 10 50 3500
4 Sponge Guard 5 80 30 12000
5 Bitter Guard 5 100 40 20000
6 Bottle Guard 5 50 25 6250
7 Tomato 5 10 150 7500
8 Brinjal 5 30 20 3000
9 Chilli 3 16 100 4800
10 Coriander 10 3000 0.6 18000
11 Broadleaf Mustard 7 10 0.1 7
12 Carrot 5 300 50 75000
13 Spinach 5 500 2 5000
14 Mustard Leaf 15 10 1 150
Total 163207
Particulars Unit
15 Seed 163207
16 Fertilizer 237973.6
17 Labor 2 10000 240000
18 Depreciation 39000
19 Rent 15 ropani 10000 150000
20 Electricity 365 days 6 3 6570
Grand total 836750.6

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 Exercise: 3
VISIT AND INTERACTION MEETING WITH COMMUNITY GROUP WITH AN NGO
AND STUDY THEIR PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS

Objectives

 To get acquainted with household level and group level agricultural planning.
 To be able to prepare farmers group level agricultural plan

1. Introduction
It is always need to consider that without appropriate and advance planning,
commercialization in agriculture is almost impossible. For subsistence farming, the intensive
planning is not necessary. The major objective of the planning is to utilization of production
resources including technology and information and manage input/output more efficiently to
increase the profits. Planning meeting is a group communication method which is
conducted two times a year in general. During these meetings important information are
shared and discussed to identify the need and interests of the farmers, potential products
and its marketing, challenges and opportunities, resources and services required for the
farmers and how these aspects are covered in the plan. This will helps to NGOs and
extension workers to design their activities and inputs management to respond the need of
the farmers.

Fig: A typical planning process of development organization

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2. Procedure

 Decide the objectives of the meetings,

 Decide the place, date and time of the meetings in consultation with the participants.
 Consider that the place should be central and appropriate to the participants and
the date should be on when the farmers are not busy on farm works.
 Decide who should be invited in the meeting? Who will make the arrangement?
What should be arranged? What materials are needed? and what are the agenda for
meeting ?
 Invite the participant through circular letter. Mention the time, date and place of the
meeting in the letter. This formal procedure promotes the farmers' prestige and
attracts the farmers towards the extension activities.

Conducting the planning meeting

Keep in mind that you are the facilitator and the each household and the group need to
develop their own plan so that they can implement. Consider the following factors while
conducting the planning meeting:
 Start the meeting on time.
 While opening the meeting put the group at ease focus attention on the objectives
of the production plan
 Analyze the seasonal calendar as per the altitudes of the location possible variety
of crops
 Present facts related with the planning issues of NGOs including targets,
indicators, and objectives of NGO program using illustration if needed.
 First of all prepare individual household level plan and composite with all
the household of the group. Then it is the plan of individual group
 Get ideas from participants and stimulate for their active participation, make sure
that every person takes part in the discussion.
 Analyze all the facts and ideas make final decision.
 Make a series of planning meeting as per need
 Analyze the marketing constraints and volume of marketable product
 Based on the discussion above prepare the household level plan
 Based those household level plan summarize and composite the farmer group
level plan
 Summaries the decision, indicate the needed action and assign various
responsibilities to the participants.
 Close the meeting on time.
 Acknowledge their participation.

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3. An example of the household & group level vegetable production plan

a. Table 8: Household level vegetable production plan

Farmers group name: Himchuli farmer groups
Address: Okhaldhunga-6, Altitudes: 1600 m
Farmer name: Trirupa thapa Duration:

Name and variety of Area Seed rate Transplanting Tentative

crop (Ropani) time production
(Quintal)
Cabbage
T621 0.5 5 Jestha- Asar 7
Green Coronate 1 10 15

Cauli
Silver cup 0.5 5 Asar-Shrawan 5
Ramy 0.5 5 6
Four season bean 1 3 kg Falgun -Chaitra 4.5

Vegetable production HH level plan Duration: Chaitra-Bhadra

Farmer Group: Chulachuli FG Address Kuntadevi
Farmers name: Bhola Chalise Altitude: 1200 m
Name and variety of Area Amount of Transplanting Tentative
crops (Ropani) seed time production (Mt)
Tomato Baishkh - Jestah 12
• Thems-16 0.5 5.0 20
• Naveen 1 10
Cabbage
• Green 1.5 15 Bishakh-jestha 15
Coronate
Cauli
• Silver Cup-60 0.5 5 Jestha - Asar 8
• Snow crown 0.5 5 10

Vegetable production HH level plan Duration: Chaitra-Bhadra

Farmer Group: Chulachuli FG Address Kuntadevi
Farmers name: xx Altitude: 1200 m
Name and variety of crops Area Amount of Transplanting Tentative
(Ropani) seed time production (Mt)
Tomato Baishkh - Jestha 12
• Thems-16 0.5 5.0 20
• Naveen 1 10
Cabbage 1.5 15 Bishakh-Jeshtha 15
• Green Coronate
Cauli
• Silver Cup-60 0.5 5 Jestha - Asar 8
• Snow crown 0.5 5 10

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b. Table 9: Farmers group level production plan (it is the collection of individual
household level plan)
Kauli Four Tomato Prodn Sell Income Support
S.N. Farmers Snow season (Srijana) (Kg) (Kg) (Rs) Needed
mistic beans
1 Kahgi Maya Magar 4 ana 8 ana Plastic
pond
2 Anju Magar 8 ana Sprayer
3 Govingda Achami 8 ana 8 ana 4 ana Plastic
pond
4 Kalpan Kapchaki 8 ana 8 ana Training
5 Saraswoti Darlami 4 ana 4 ana Crates

6 Him Kumari 4 ana 8 ana Training

Darlami
7 Shova Achami 4 ana 4 ana Plastic
pond
8 Dil Maya Achami 8 ana 4 ana Sprayer
9 Bhim Maya Acami 4 ana 4 ana Seed

10 Maiya Achami 8 ana 4 ana Seed

11 Indra Maya 8 ana 4 ana Training

Achami

Following factors affect the active participation in the planning process:

a. Make sure to individual farmer’ local resource available for vegetable production
for example how much land he/she can cultivate
b. Make sure what are the varieties are best suited in that location and niche specific
time of cultivation
c. Determine the rate of resource required like seed, fertilizer, plastic and the rate of
vegetable on farm gate price
d. Determine
e. Make those list of things required for implementation of plan like training, pond, seed
to be provided by the program
f. First of all collect all the production plan of farmers group and then composite for
the group level production plan

Exercise

1. Based on the discussion made in the FGs, prepare Hhs level vegetable production
plan for 10 Hhs of FGs.

2. Based on the individual Hhs level plan, prepare a farmer group level plan for
vegetable production.

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 Exercise: 4
OBSERVATION OF ASC/DLSC OF DADO AND DLSO’s PLANNING PROCESS

Objective
 To be able to acquainted with the planning process of ASC/DLSC
 To be able to provide facilitation to conduct ASC/DLSC planning process

1. The conventional GoN planning process in Agricultural Extension

The public extension system in Nepal still dominated by the top-down planning approach
where;
 Extension workers have been trained in some of the tools and techniques useful in
extension work which includes those such as PRA, problem census/problem solving,
projectization, PCN preparation, log framing, proposal writing, bottom-up planning,
participatory monitoring and evaluation, etc.
 Needs assessment is normally carried out at the Farmers’ Group (FG) level one year
in advance for use in planning during the following year but there is no assurance that
planned activities are carried out and funds committed for implementing these from the
Central Government.
 The Central Government provides the ceiling for funds allocated each year and the
district council approves an annual extension programme the extension programmes
are then translated into activities which form the targets for each ASC annually.
 Since the fiscal year 2059-60, due to enforcement of the Local Self Governance Act-
2055, the extension programs were devolved to the local concerned districts
government.
 Since then convergent planning (bottom up) was adopted in district livestock
development program, where guidelines and budget ceiling were provided from the
central level and resources were matched at the regional level.

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2. The decentralized planning process in agriculture sector
In 2001/02, the Government of Nepal devolved agriculture extension to the district level and
provided the authority for agricultural programme planning, management and co-financing
to the District Development Committee (DDC), the main decision making body at the district
level as provisioned by Local Self Governance Act (LSGA 1999) and its regulation (LSGR
2000). Likewise Nepal Agricultural Extension Strategy (NAES-2007) further focuses on
institutional pluralism, privatization and decentralization of extension services and enforce
the decentralized and participatory planning process in agricultural sector. Though the true
decentralization of the process is still not transmitted to the local level, some of the efforts
have been practiced to align the policies;
• After devolution, the budget was provided through the respective district development
committees. The final district level programs were passed by the DDCs.
• Keeping in view to the devolution and the central programs to be conducted by the
DADOs and DLSOs, the district level programs are categorized into two main groups
1. Devolved program: all the extension programs.
2. Central programs : a) programs that support the devolved programs b) the regulatory
programs
• Only the district level government can execute the regulatory programs alone like
standardizations, certification, quality control system, and inspection system.
Therefore, the central government has to provide such services to the farmers for the
proper regulatory system so as to harmonize with the international standards.
• The central level programs implement the national oriented programs that are in turn
implemented in the districts but covering more than one district. Such programs or
projects are not devolved to the local government

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3. Observation and discussion
Make a discussion with the officials of ASC/DLSC and prepare a programme list they have
prepared for coming fiscal year as per following formats.

Table 10: Detailed of the ASC/DLSC level program, budget and beneficiaries planed for FY……….
SN Program/activity VDC Major indicators Beneficiary Financial contribution
of achievement (hhs)
M F ASC Beneficiary VDC
support contribution support
(Rs) (Rs) (Rs)

Grand total

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4. Based on the discussion above prepare programme they have completed last
fiscal year

Table 11: Detailed of the ASC/DLSC level program, budget and beneficiaries implemented in
FY……….
SN Program/activity VDC Major indicators Beneficiary Financial contribution
of achievement (hhs)
M F ASC Beneficiary VDC
support contribution support
(Rs) (Rs) (Rs)

Grand total

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 Exercise: 5
THE OBSERVATION OF PARTICIPATORY PLANNING PROCESS AT THE LOCAL
LEVEL

Objectives
• To understand the participatory planning process at the local level,
• To be able to provide facilitation to conduct planning process at local level

1. The local level planning process

In regard to the agriculture sector, this approach employs the following processes: bottom-
up planning, community budgeting, participatory monitoring and evaluation, and public
audits. It has resulted in enhanced local ownership, and has improved the procedures for
claiming social rights and government resource allocations at the local level.

This approach is effective in initiating systematic agricultural production, in making best use
of local resources, and enhances the capacity of the service receiver; in addition, it is
successful in responding to the expectations of local farmers through effective service
delivery, based on demand proposals from the farmers.

The approach also contributes to the strengthening of local institutions, both government
and private, by linking an integrated community planning process to national policy and
procedures concerned with participatory planning - documented in the Local Self-
Governance Act (1999), the Good Governance Act (2006), the Right to Information Act
(2007), in various guidelines such as the Grand Mobilization Guidelines (2008, 2009, 2010),
the Local Bodies Resource Mobilization and Management Guideline (2012), and in related
programmes – the Local Governance Programme (LGP), the Decentralized Local
Governance Support Programme (DLGSP), and the Local Governance and Community
1
Development Programme (LGCDP) – all of which focus on citizen centric governance and
effective service delivery at the local level. In addition, the approach supports the process of
periodic planning at the district, municipality and national levels.

2. Integration of Agricultural Sector in the local level planning process

Participatory planning in agriculture at the local level involves all stakeholders – the
individual farming households, farmer groups, local community groups and organizations
(e.g. the Citizen Ward Fora and the Community Awareness Centers), and the VDCs. Based
on individual household plans and group consensus, farmer groups prepare their plans and
requests for support, which are endorsed, rejected or enhanced by the AFECs. The
approved plans are then included in the annual VDC agricultural plan of activities through a
locally agreed planning process. In relation to agricultural planning, the AFEC is central for
coordination, consolidating the plan, identifying and tapping of resources, and selection and
approval of the farmer group demand proposals, as well as fund allocation and monitoring
of the activities (see figure below).

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 The participatory local level planning supports;
 Effective utilization of local resources and local capacities and ensures effective
participation of the farmers,
 Encourages systematic planning,
 Results in ownership of the plan by the great majority of local residents,
 Provides a basis for the one window implementation of various programmes and
projects at the local level,
 Promotes effective service delivery to respond directly and efficiently to the needs of local
farmers,
 Contributes to the institutionalization of an organized local level planning process,
and improves local governance and transparency,
 Enhances the skills and capacities of the VDC personnel, the AFEC members, the
farmers, the farmer groups, the CSOs, and the involved local service providers.

THE PLANNING AND DEMAND RESPONSE MECHANISM AT THE LOCAL LEVEL

- FOLLOWED BY THE AFEC AT THE VDC

23
 Exercise

1. Prepare the diagram based on the program planning process followed

in VDC you have visited

2. Critically suggest your local level planning bodies you have visited to
improve the participatory planning process.

24
 Exercise: 6
OBSEVATION OF COMMUNITY LEVEL AGRICULTURAL
DEVELOPMENT PLAN FACILITED BY DEVELOPMENT
AGENCIES
Objective of the study

• To get acquainted with preparation of community level agriculture development plan.

• To be able to facilitate to prepare community level agriculture development plan

In general, most of the NGO/development agencies follow the participatory planning,

monitoring and evaluation process with the following major four components;
1. Project/activities identification
2. Project activities preparation and analysis
3. Implementation
4. Monitoring, evaluation and technical support

There are various steps and several stakeholders engaged in the planning process.
Following are the general process of participatory program planning and evaluation
procedure use in most of the development agencies, development partners, NGOs
and INGOs.

25
After preparation of individual household level plan, prepare the farmer group level plan.
Following are the major steps of preparing the community level development plan we
have to set up on our mind.
1. Summarize the total activity formed by household level
2. Summarize the total activity and sub activity under activity
3. Calculate the total beneficiaries of the program
4. Determine the tentative unit cost of activities
5. Determine the total quantity of activities
6. Determine the financial contribution for the program each of the program/project side,
community themselves and the VDC/DDC line agencies
7. Prepare the format for summarization of the annual program of the project or program

Table 12: Detailed of community level program, beneficiaries and budget contribution
Activity Beneficiaries Rate Quantity Financial contribution
Hhs Total Program/ Community DDC/VDC
project contribution /Others
Activity 1
Sub Activity 1.1
Sub activity 1.2
Sub Total
Activity 2
Sub Activity 2.1
Sub activity 2.2
Sub Total
Grand total

26
 Exercise:
1. Based on your visit and interaction to the NGos/CBOs in the district level prepare their sequence of
annual program planning

2. Based on your visit and interaction to the NGOs/CBOs in the district leve,l prepare their current fiscal
year annual program creating the table demonstrated in table 12 above.

27
 Exercise: 7
VISIT AND INTERACTION MEETING WITH COMMUNITY GROUP FORMED BY
DADO/DLSO FOR EXTENSION PROGRAM

Objectives

• To get acquainted with general meeting.

• To be able to conduct general meeting

Introduction

A meeting is a group communication method. It is organized (conducted) to consider and

communicate some important information or discuss common problems. In this method the
participants react to the extension worker and to the ideas expressed by other participants.
Therefore, it helps extension workers find the reaction of the people to certain activities.

Procedure

Planning for the meeting

• Decide the objectives of the meetings,

• Decide the place, date and time of the meetings in consultation with the
participants. Consider that the place should be central and appropriate to the
participants and the date should be on when the farmers are not busy on farm
works,
• Decide who should be invited in the meeting? Who will make the arrangement? What
should be arranged? What materials are needed? and what are the agenda for meeting
?
• Invite the participant through circular letter. Mention the time, date and place of the
meeting in the letter. This formal procedure promotes the farmers' prestige and attracts
the farmers towards the extension activities.

Conducting the meeting

Keep following factors in mind while conducting the meeting:

• Start the meeting on time.
• While opening the meeting put the group at ease focus attention on the objectives
of the discussion
• Present facts using illustration if needed.
• Get ideas from participants and stimulate for their active participation, make sure
that every person takes part in the discussion.
• Analyze all the facts and ideas make final decision.
• Summaries the decision, indicate the needed action and assign various
responsibilities to the participants.
• Close the meeting on time.
• Acknowledge their participation. Hand out relevant printed materials.

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Following factors affect the active participation of the members:
• Number of participants: larger number makes difficulty in decision making.
• Characteristics of participants: Experience, Level of education and economic factors
affect the active participation of the members in the discussion.
• Facilities available: Size of the room, furniture, seating arrangements, lightings
and ventilation.
• Time: Active people can seldom sit still for more than an hour.
• Subject: The subject and agenda should be related with the interest of the participants.

Exercise

1. Discuss the factors influencing the effectiveness of the general meeting based on
your observation.

2. What are the points you had considered when conducting a general meeting?

3. What precaution you had taken before and during the meeting?

29
 References

Dahal, H. 2010. National Agriculture Extension System, A Country report presented in the
workshop on rural development for high level Officer of AFACI member
country held on August 7-14 on Suwon South Korea. Retrieved February,
2015: http/www.MOAC/agriculture_extension_system_of Nepal.

SSMP/HELVETAS, 2011 Training manual on participatory planning, monitoring and

nd
evaluation FOR SUSTAINABLE SOIL MANAGEMENT In Nepali (2 ed).
SSMP/Helvetas Swiss Interco operation Nepal

Jaishi, M., L. Shahi and B. Khatiwada, 2013. Decentralised Agriculture Development

Practice in VDCs: An Experience of Okhaldhunga District. Participation: Peer
to Peer Journal. Year 15. 14:100-110

Joshi, N.N., K. P. Gajurel and A. K. Singh. 1989. (Agricultural Extension: Extension: A

Practical Manual), IAAS, Rampur, Nepal.

LBRMM 2069. Local Resource Mobilization and Management Guideline. Ministry of Federal
Affairs and Local Development, Government of Nepal.

LSGA 1999. Local Self Governance Act. Government of Nepal.

LSGR 2000. Local Self Governance Act. Government of Nepal

NAES 2007. National Agricultural Extension Strategy, Information, communication and

training center, MoAD, Government of Nepal

NAP 2004. Nepal Agricultural Policy, government of Nepal

SSMP, 2014. Sustainable Soil Management Program Phase IV – External Review. Report
to Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Nepal.
CATC, 2059. Trainers manual: Agricultural extension. Central Agricultural Training Center,
Harihar Bhawan, Lalitpur Nepal.

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