In the wake of globalization, the concept, philosophy and methodologies of extension system has gone under rapid change. In order to face the emerging challenges, there is need to develop synergistic and coherent strategy for enhancing crop productivity and providing livelihood options to the rural masses. For the purpose, an initiative was taken to document the salient contributions and approaches of esteemed personalities who are involved in agricultural and rural development process as the scientific expert, policy planner and stakeholders. This book entitled "Extension Strategies for Agriculture and Rural Development" devoted on five sub-themes (i) Policy initiative in extension education (ii) Market-led extension and commercial farming (iii) ICT application and methodological advances in agriculture (iv) Entrepreneurship development and innovative approaches in extension and; (v) Gender mainstreaming in farming system. The topics covered in the book have got tremendous variation and move around with the strategies and recent approaches by which agriculture can become more productive and income generating enterprise leading to turn economically viable and socially acceptable profession. This book is more useful for the scientists, development professionals, teachers, extension workers and policy planners who are involved in the area of agriculture and rural development.

This textbook is written for undergraduate and postgraduate students of Extension Education at Home Science Colleges. It shall serve as a reference book for Extension students of Agriculture, Veterinary, Forestry, Fisheries and Basic Science at Universities, Colleges and Institutes. It shall as well serve as a handbook for Government Departments, Non-Government Organizations, Rural Banks and Cooperatives, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, etc. to support them in extension work. The meaning, process and evolution of extension and extension systems from India’s pre independence era to the present era are described in this book as well as the different extension teaching methods and teaching aids used while extending information at villages. The book also comprehends the relationship between Home Science education and extension systems familiarizing with the structural and functional concepts of rural society. The concept, use, importance and limitations of each of the extension teaching methods are important to know for extension workers so that they can use them efficiently. However, these course contents are primarily meant for the use of student communities, teaching and research fraternities of Home Science, Agricultural and allied Sciences all over the globe in general and India in particular.

The framework of development; Understanding extension; Social and cultural factors in extension; Extension and comunication; Extension methods; The extension agent; The planning and evaluation of extension programmes; Extension an special target groups.

V.1. International experience in communication & innovation. v.2. International experience in strategies for planned change.

Training of agriculture teachers and extension workers becomes more and more important as an ever growing number of farmers in developing countries have to master skills in order to generate income and improve their standards of living. Beginning with an overview of the relationship between literacy and agricultural extension, this book goes on to investigate the success of improving the quality of teaching and looks at case studies of more recent approaches to rural education for all members of the household.