ROLE OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICES IN DRYLAND FARMING WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO NAGAUR AND SHEKHAVATI REGIONS OF RAJASTHAN

S. SANGWAN¹, R. DUA²*
¹University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007, India
²Department of Geography, Shyama Prasad Mukherji College, Punjabi Bagh, Delhi, 110026, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007, India
* Corresponding Author : rachnadua456@gmail.com

Received : 09-06-2023     Accepted : 28-07-2023     Published : 30-07-2023
Volume : 15     Issue : 7       Pages : 12496 - 12501
Int J Agr Sci 15.7 (2023):12496-12501

Keywords : Dry land Farming, Agricultural Extension Services, Agricultural Technology, Management Agency
Academic Editor : Anirudha Chattopadhyay, Anshu Gangwar
Conflict of Interest : None declared
Acknowledgements/Funding : Authors are thankful to University Grants Commission (UGC), India for the research scholarship. Authors are also thankful to Department of Geography, Shyama Prasad Mukherji College, Punjabi Bagh, Delhi, 110026, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007, India
Author Contribution : All authors equally contributed

Dryland farming regions pose numerous challenges to agricultural productivity due to water scarcity, erratic rainfall, and soil degradation. Hence, effective agricultural extension services play an important role in disseminating knowledge, empowering farmers, and promoting sustainable practices. Agricultural extension services act as intermediaries, bridging the gap between research institutions, technology developers, and farmers. This research article investigates the role of agricultural extension services in the dryland farming regions of Rajasthan, India, with the aim of understanding their impact on improving agricultural practices and enhancing farmers' livelihoods. It also aims to find out working of different types of extension services along with their strengths and weaknesses in Nagaur and Shekhawati regions of Rajasthan which comes under dry land farming. As the scope of agriculture extension is increasingly becoming wider, the findings of this study provide valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of the existing extension system, highlighting areas for improvement and innovation

1. Jones Gwyn E., and Chris Garforth (1997) The History, Development, and Future of Agricultural Extension in Improving Agricultural Extension: A Reference Manual. Rome: Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations.
2. Bindu P. & Bindu B. (2018) Indian journal of extension education and rural development Rajasthan society of extension education, 26, 139-142.
3. Oakley P. and Garforth C. (1985) Guide to extension training. Food and agriculture organization of the United Nations, Rome.
4. Swanson B. E., Riikka R. (2010) Agriculture & Rural development discussion paper; no. 45. Washington, DC: World Bank2.
5. Davis Kristin E., et al. (2014) The role of extension and advisory services in building resilience of smallholder farmers, 2020 Conference Brief, May 17-19, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Washington, D.C.: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
6. Sulaiman V. (2018) Agricultural extension in India: current status and ways forward
7. Planning Commission (2007) Report of the Working Group on Crop Husbandry, Agricultural Inputs, Demand & Supply Projections & Agricultural Statistics for The Eleventh Five Year Plan (2007-12). New Delhi: Planning Commission.
8. Saravanan R. (2010) (Ed.) ICTs for Agricultural Extension: Global Experiments, Innovations and Experiences, New India Publishing Agency (NIPA), New Delhi.
9. Recommendations of working group on agricultural extension for formulation of eleventh five-year plan (2007-12)
10. Rajasthan - -Agriculture Prosperity and Opportunity, Directorate of Agriculture, Govt of Rajasthan
11. CRIDA (2011) VISION 2030, Central Research Institute for Dry Land Agriculture, Santoshnagar, Hyderabad, India, 31.
12. Chouhan N., Henry C. and Solanki D.K. (2013) Indian Journal of Extension Education, 49(3&4), 102-106.
13. Koohafkan P. and Stewart B.A. (2008) Water & Cereals in Dry Lands. Rome: Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
14. Hanumantha Rao, et al. (1988) Unstable Agriculture and Droughts: Implications for Policy. Vikas Pub. House, New Delhi.
15. Planning Commission (2006) Report of the Working Group on Crop Husbandry, Agricultural Inputs, Demand & Supply Projections & Agricultural Statistics for The Eleventh Five Year Plan (2007-12). New Delhi: Planning Commission.