Participatory research for agricultural extension in Sri Lanka

Abstract

This study looks at critical issues connected with low farmer participation in agricultural extension in Sri Lanka. As an experienced agricultural extension worker, the author relies heavily on his personal experience and his colleagues' perceptions to explore the present situation of rural agricultural extension and research processes. The study attempts to generate new extension strategies to increase farmers' active participation in this regard. A review of the literature on participatory research and its applications in developing countries confirms the authors' perceptions. The theme of the study is 'participatory research' approaches to enable local people to share, enhance and analyse their knowledge of life experiences, to plan and to act for their own development. Case studies are used to investigate the applicability of the principles of participatory research to the Sri Lankan situation. The behaviour and attitudes of the agricultural extensionists and the researchers as facilitators, are crucial, in the satisfactory implementation of a participatory research approach. This research study reveals that there should be radical changes in the ways of approaching rural people in the processes of agricultural extension and research. Agricultural extension workers must facilitate humanist programs for rural farmers, involve them in design, delivery and decisions on rural agriculture development programs in Sri Lanka.