Privatization in extension

NEW TRENDS IN AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION part-i Privatization in extension 1. Privatization in extension Privatization in extension - An act of reducing the role of government or increasing the role of private sector in an activity or in the ownership of assets. Savas (1987) Process of funding and delivering the extension services by private individual or organization is known as Private Extension. Problems in public extension system- Basic thinking is supply driven rather than demand driven. Limitedly Focused on Farmers' Aspirations Lack of location specific extension services Extension services provided are general in nature High cost, low impact of extension programmes, Poor motivation of staff working at grass root level. Curative nature of extension services Inadequate technical qualifications of VLW. Incomplete extension services. Inadequate internal organization structure Inefficiency of extension personnel Inappropriateness or irrelevance of extension content Private extension services are primarily of two types. A. The first is the entirely private type which is directly involved in farming activities through consultants, agri-business, agricultural input industries etc. B. The second type consists of farmer's organizations, NGO's etc., which remain largely dependent on government subsidies Privatization of extension services does not aim at substituting private sector for public extension service. When the private extension organizations get involved in providing extension support to farmers, it is likely there will be competition among the various extension providers, which will result in more efficient and demand-driven service. The private extension system in India offers the following services for farmers Cost sharing by farmers’ groups Cost recovery on selected services offered to farmers Contracting services to small groups Paid extension services for affordable farmers Value addition by agro-processing firms Consultancy services (both technical and managerial) Self Help Groups of farmers Information support through media organizations Some successful examples of private sector initiative ITC's e-Chaupal Mahindra Shubh Labh Company Ltd. Tata Kisan Sansar Tarahaat.com Portal IFFCO and KRIBHCO Hariyali Kisan Bazaar (HKB ITC e-Choupal e-Choupal is an initiative of ITC ( Indian tobacco compay) Limited, a conglomerate in India, to link directly with rural farmers via the Internet for procurement of agricultural and aquaculture products like soybeans, wheat, coffee, and prawns. e-Choupal provides relevant and real time information on weather, prices and customising information in terms of knowledge. Mahindra Shubh Labh Company Ltd. The subsidiary of Mahindra & Mahindra, has set up about 50 agri-centres. One-stop-shops for the farmers. These centers offer agri-consultancy, equipment rental and distribution and retailing of a wide range of inputs. The company will also facilitate crop loan disbursal through a tie up with ICICI. Farmer availing Mahindra Shubh Labh's package of services will thus have access to scientific farming practices, mechanised operations, a range of quality inputs including seeds and chemicals. Tata Kisan Sansar A chain of one-stop resource centres that provide end-to-end agri solutions for farmers. An upgraded set-up of the existing Tata Kisan Kendras, It is a unique initiative that will benefit farmers by providing them the latest techniques and modern farming concepts. Spanning three highly productive agricultural states, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana in first phase. To avail TKS services, a farmer can either become a member of "Tata Kisan Pariwar" or pay selectively for the services. IFFCO and KRIBHCO In the case of fertiliser companies, especially large cooperatives like IFFCO (Indian Farmers Fertiliser Co-operative Limited) and KRIBHCO (KrishakBharati Cooperative), extension activities include a wider range of interventions, such as conducting farmer meetings, organizing crop seminars, arranging for soil testing facilities, adopting villages etc. Hariyali Kisan Bazaar (HKB), a chain of agriculture input retail stores which also offered marketing support for select produce. Pepsico and Heritage foods Companies like Pepsico and Heritage Foods, which undertake contract farming of potato and vegetables respectively, also work closely with farmers to provide inputs, technical advice and marketing services. Conclusion Private Extension could not completely replace Public Extension system, but should work hand in hand with each others support for benefiting farmers.