Name of the center :  Extension Education Institute

Introduction

The Extension Education Institute (EEI), Anand is one of the four premier institutes for training of extension personnel in India. it was established on 17th September, 1962 with initial financial assistance from Ford Foundation through Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Government of India, New Delhi. The foundation stone of this institute was laid by   Dr. Douglas Ensminger of Ford Foundation Representative in India on Friday the 6th October 1961.By now it has completed 38 years. This institute caters the training needs of Western Zone States Viz. Gujarat, Mahasrastra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh , Goa, UT of Dadra Nagar Haveli, Diu and Daman.

            In India's National Extension Programme, professional workers constitute the link between the people and the institute created to advance economic and social change upon the character philosophy, technical knowledge and compliance of these workers largely rests for the success of the programme. Hence the quality of these workers and their training is the important element to be dealt with properly and guided wisely.

            In early fifties, the Gramsevak / VLW's served as a key-man in Community Development Programme and therefore the Government of India aimed at imparting him by better training and supervisory assistance. As a step in this direction. Gramsevak Training Centers were started to impart training to GramSevaks / VLW's and Extension Officers were appointed in block for better supervisory assistance.

            Education to rural masses to improve their vocation of livelihood was one of the felt needs of independent India. Community Development programme followed by N.E.S. in 1953 paved the way. But the workers, functionaries who were charged with responsibilities of rural development experienced difficulties in making head-way. The reason was obvious that they were untrained to work with people. They lacked in adequate methods and techniques to educate rural people.

            Training has been viewed as one of the most vital things now-a-days. It is more a practice than a concept. It helps in developing and strengthening capabilities for better performance of job.

            After the introduction of Training and Visit System the reorganized agricultural extension system in 1978-79, the large number of subject matter specialists are to trained with modern technology of agriculture as well as communication skill for transfer the same. The EEI, Anand has conducted various workshops on communication and Extension Methodology for SMSs / Assistant Directors / SDAOs etc. working in T & V system of Western Zone states.           

The existing T & V system has played a dominant role in increasing production of crops in irrigated areas, however, it had limited relevance to small and marginal farmers particularly under rain fed conditions. There is a growing realization that for suitable agriculture development the existing services should be broad based so that farmers could be advised on all their land based and live stock based activities. The broad based agriculture extension services would need to take a holistic approach in improving the production, productivity and income of the farmers. Keeping broad based extension in view, all the field functionaries as well as extension specialists by EEI in Communication and Extension methodology.

Objectives

The primary objective of the Extension Education Institute, Anand is to prepare high quality professional leaders in the field of Extension Education to serve as instructors of GTC's, Home science, Workshop wings, Agricultural Schools, staff of FTC's and supervisory staff such as DPO/APO of the Blocks Asst. Directors, SMS's / SDAO's, DDA's RFOs etc., of line Departments and scientists of SAU's and effective communicators.

            The mandate of EEI is to train middle level functionaries of various line departments to improve upon their job performance wherever they are working in different capacities. The specific objectives of this institute are as under:

1. To provide learning experiences that leads to an increasing understanding of the extension education process and their application in the rural development programmes.
2. To develop among trainees a thorough understanding of the basic principles of learning and teaching and skill in the procedures and techniques of applying them both in classroom and field conditions.
3. To demonstrate effective education teaching procedures, methods and techniques.
4. To develop and carry on a continuous research in the methods and procedures of extension education.
5. To prepare and publish useful basic materials relating to extension education process.
6. To acquaint trainees with the sources of useful information and material related to their professional need and help them to develop skills in collecting, processing and use of such information.
7. In addition to these, the institute also conducts post graduate courses leading to M.Sc (Agri) and Ph.D. in Extension Education.

Administration & Working  

The technical programme is finalized and approved by Government of India for this Institute. The Government of India provides cent percent funds for Training, Infrastructure, Staff, Equipments, Running cost etc., through Anand Agricultural University. Administration and execution rest under control of Anand Agricultural University.
 

Management Committee

 As per the directive of the Directorate of Extension, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, New Delhi vide reference No.D.O. No.13(6)84 PT dated 15th April, 1985 of Joint Secretary (Extension), New Delhi a Management Committee has been constituted to help in effective functioning and improving quality of training to be conducted at EEI - Anand with the following members.

Constitution of management committee:

A. From Anand Agricultural University:

 B. From State Department of Agriculture:

C. From Government of India:

 D. Representatives of framers & Institutes:

The Management Committee meets once in a year to review and discuss the activities of EEI, Anand.

 Achievements  

          Achievements :

Facilities

The institute has all the infrastructure facilities. It has own building with two class rooms seminar halls, AV laboratory equipped with Overhead projector, Film projector, Slide projector, TV, VCR, Camera, Computers with Printers, Direct projector, LCD projector, Internet, E-Mail etc., ICVT (Interactive Computer Video Technology) Lab is in process. In order to provide comfortable stay to participants, the rooms are tastefully furnished and provided with TV, hot water supply etc., A large dining hall with capacity of 30 seats and modern kitchen are part of hostel. An array of indoor and outdoor facilities are available to participants. A Central Bank of India branch caters to the banking needs of participants. The services of a qualified Medical Officer remain available to the participants on all week days. Small demonstration units of Sardar Smruti Kendra, B.A. college of Agriculture and its various departments, Diary Science College, Nurseries, Poultry Farm, H.F. Project, Vidya Dairy are being exposed to participants and visitors to enhance latest modern technology to production and productivity.

 Facilities and expenditure:

(1)        For the participants from Govt. Development Departments / Line Departments :

·         Free Lodging and Boarding facilities will be provided by Extension Education Institute, Anand.

·         Actual to and fro travel fare (Limited to II AC / First Class Railway / Bus) will be reimbursed by Extension Education Institute, Anand on presentation of tickets.  For this, participants are required to bring with them the certificate of no claim or no TA advance is drawn from their Department / Office. In case of non-availability of normal reservation, the reimbursement of Tatkal reservation charge will allowed to the participants. Traveling expenses through own vehicle is not allowed. However, he has to claim DA from their own Department / Office.

(2)       For the participants from SAUs / ICAR Institutes :

·            Only free Lodging and Boarding facilities will be provided by Extension Education Institute, Anand.

Role of EEI

                    The EEI, Anand has to play a vital role in the present context. All the states of Western Region have accepted the T & V system and some of the states have started single window system in which all land based activities are included. Their staff though may be proficient in subject matter in  knowledge of agriculture, animal husbandry, but are lacking the requisite skill of transmitting the research message to the framing community effectively. Therefore, the personal need to be trained in

             Likewise the master trainers of SAU's and Extension Officers of NGO's / corporate also require training and for that purpose all the EEI's have an independent role to play          

 Follow-up

  In order to make training more effective, every year a follow-up study is also undertaken by the institute which forms an integral part of training activity of the institute. Under this, the institute Faculty visits trainees at their work spot in their respective states, observe them in action and offer on the spot suggestions for their improvement. This also involves discussions with senior officers of the respective state departments / districts and Divisional level on different aspects of training activities to improve communication skills of the trained personnel and to build up a close report with user institutions. The follow-up also helps the institute to fine out training needs of the field extension workers.       

Research & Publications

In addition to training and teaching activities, the staff of this institute is actively engaged in problem oriented research in various aspects viz., training, communication and other areas of rural development. Each year at least one research study is undertaken by this institute,  About 16 research studies have been completed by the end of March, 1998. Three volumes of summary of Research studies completed by P.G. students are already published by the Institute.

            In addition to this, the institute prepare and publish the reading materials of various workshops / courses for the benefit of the participants who are attending the various workshops / courses at this institute. The institute is providing Xerox booklets of reading material of each course to the participants. However during recent years an attempt has been made to publish following two printed books which are also available on price of Rs.50/-.

1. Reading material on Computer Application in Agricultural Extension (June-2008).

2. Reading material on Operationalization of ATMA & SREP (July-2008).

Training Courses

It is envisaged that EEI-Anand should expand horizons of training by incorporating following specific areas during 2006-2007 to 2011-2012.

1.   Strategic Research & Extension  Plan for ATMA under NATP

2.   Agricultural Journalism

3.   Public - Private - Partnership

4.   Project Planning and Management

5.   Gender Sensitization

6.   Management of Agricultural Information System

7.   Market led Extension Management

8.   Computer Application in Agril. Extension

9.   Up gradation of Communication Skill

10.  Participatory Rural Appraisal

11.  Video Production Programme

12.  Monitoring and Evaluation

13.  Human Resources Development

Training Calendar:.

  PROPOSED ON CAMPUS WORKSHOP/ TRAINING COURSES FOR THE YEAR 2010-11

Faculty 

If you wish to attend any of the training programmes or desire to have any other information. Please Contact with relevant details:

Dr. Arun Patel

Principal

Extension Education Institute

Anand Agricultural University

Anand-388110 (Gujarat)

Ph. & Fax No. 02692-261270

Mobile: 09974421124

Email: eei@aau.in