Proceedings and Recommendations

Proceedings and Recommendations

of

First International Extension Education Congress-2023

on

“Rural Transformation and Sustainable Agri-food System through Community Based Organisation (CBO) Oriented Extension Strategy”

There has been a transformation for the last couple of decades over the direction and dictum of Extension strategy; previously which has been an institution-driven extension directive, it is now a community mobilized extension intervention and designing. This has become an imperative whenever we are on the offing of ushering sustainable agri-food system.

With a humongous population size of predicted 162 crores in 2050, we have to produce 550 million Tonnes of food grain. This is a herculean task. The target will be achievable and sustainable if only communities are mainstreamed into the neo-institutional upsurgence.

This is not going to be a monolithic bio-magnification of cereals only. As an imperative, we need to produce more milk, fish, vegetables and fruits. So, the new age agri-food system would be banking upon an orchestration of many enterprises, many skills and many jobs from a defined land mass only. This will be possible when a strategy for integrating enterprises and opportunities from a single business ecosystem and the main drivers shall be the community-driven resource-skills-economy-ecology symphony.

The international congress on “Rural Transformation and Sustainable Agri-food System through Community Based Organisation (CBO) Oriented Extension Strategy” organized by SEE, Agra (18 to 20 December 2023) has been an illustrious success wherein for the 3 consecutive days brilliant minds and motivation from across the world got together to examine and demonstrate the opportunities of a community-based organization in mobilizing resource and designs, concepts and confirmations for shaping the new age extension strategy. In this journey, theoretical inputs have been matched against empirical evidence. Pragmatism has been flown into policy issues and lastly, the methodologies applied were vindicated against empirical achievements.

The First International Extension Education Congress of Society of Extension Education was held during December 18-20, 2023 at RARI, Durgapura (SKNAU, Jobner), Jaipur, Rajasthan with the theme “Rural Transformation and Sustainable Agri-food System through Community Based Organisation (CBO) Oriented Extension Strategy” which may be perceived as an intervention to showcase the CBOs activities towards sustainable agri-food system for the smallholders internationally in hybrid mode. The befitting aim of the International Extension Education Congress was to bring into focus the global scenario on involvement of CBOs for rural development, networking of CBOs for income augmentation and employment generation for the smallholders, development of community-based agri-food system for sustainable livelihood, food security and nutritional security for the smallholders.

The Hon’ble Vice Chancellors of different universities across the country jointly solemnly inaugurated the 1^st IEEC.

The Lifetime Achievement Award in extension education was conferred on the distinguished scientist and eminent research manager Dr. Prakash N Kalla and Dr. C R Prasad Memorial Award was conferred to the illustrious academician in repute and renowned extension education scientist Dr. Jiju P Alex. It is worthwhile to mention that more than 40 extension education academicians, scientists, and researchers across the globe were bestowed with different awards of the society namely the Daulat Singh Chauhan Memorial Award, SEE Fellow Award, Best Extension Professional Award, Best KVK Professional Award, Ganga Singh Chauhan Memorial Award etc.

It is worthwhile to mention that the response to the call for this 1^st IEEC-2023 is overwhelming with more than 425 invited and contributory research articles from different countries. Among these 245 registered participants presented their research orally and the rest of the participants presented their research in poster form. The international delegates deliberated their presentations orally in physical mode and online mode. Among them. Dr. Jefferson D. Miller, USA, Dr. Marta Monjardino, Australia, Dr. Avtar Singh, Thailand, Dr. Nur Bahiah Md. Haris, Malaysia, Dr. Vikram Koundiniya, USA, Dr. Zakia Himeur, Algeria, Dr. Hasneen Jahan, Bangladesh, Dr. Ruhul Amin, Bangladesh, Dr. Bashir Ahmed and Dr. Abu Sayeed, Bangladesh, Dr. Sachin Rustogi, USA, Dr Shiveaj Singh Panwar, Philippines were the very unique presenters in the congress from abroad.

Below are the thematic and concepts presented in every echelon of themes.

• Empowering rural communities: Assessing anganwadi workers' knowledge in health and education
• Readiness of farmer communities for UAV-based spraying in paddy in Kerala
• Transforming smallholder food systems through crop diversification: A case study from Bangladesh
• ANGRAU chatbot - India's first SAU chatbot for answering FAQs of the farmers
• SWOT analysis of dairy-based farmer producer companies in India: An AHP approach
• A mixed method research synthesis of studies on Farmer Producer Organisations in India
• Study on aspirations of rural youth and their attitude towards rural developmental activities in Koppal district of Karnataka state
• Impact of institutional mechanism: A success story of an FPO
• Women Empowerment and Self-Help Groups
• Factors associated with the knowledge level of farmers for sustainable Makhana-Cum-Fish farming
• The potential of community-based organizations for community-managed sustainable agriculture: Lessons from field experiences
• Technological improvements for sustainable Agri-Food systems: The case of NPM innovations and community-based extension strategy in Andhra Pradesh
• Integrated farming system model for livelihood and food security towards sustainable Agri-food systems
• Insighting into agricultural information networking through social media messenger application for sustainable livelihoods
• Transforming agribusiness ecosystem in Eastern India through Novel FPO-Based Extension Delivery Model
• A Comparative Study of Replicable Innovative Initiatives of Rural Transformation by Selected CBOs: A Strategy Paper
• Utilizing the TAM to Analyze Farmers' Intentions to Embrace Millet (Nutri-Cereals) Crops for Farm Diversification
• Performance of Farmer Producer Companies Viz-a-Viz Technical Efficiency in the Productions Systems of the members: A Study in South Dinajpur district, West Bengal
• Impact of Cluster Front Line Demonstration on Yield and Economics of Mustard
• Impact of Cluster Front Line Demonstrations on Production and Profitability of Groundnut in Shivpuri District of Madhya Pradesh
• Role of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) In Empowering the Farming Community: Challenges and Strategies
• Global Scenario of Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) -Involvement in Agricultural Extension
• Rythu Bharosa Kendram (RBK) - An Innovative Institutional Model for One Stop Service Center for Farmers
• Empowerment of Community Based Organisation through Mushroom Cultivation: A Case Study
• Strengths and Limitations of Community-Based Organisation (CBO) Oriented Extension Strategy
• extent of Adoption of Tomato Cultivation Practices Disseminated Through KMAS
• Sustaining Rural Enterprises through Secondary Agriculture
• Exception Level of Livestock Owners for Services Rendered by Veterinary Clinical Complex (VCC), RAJUVAS, Bikaner
• Extent of adoption of recommended cultivation practices of Taramira by the farmers
• Institutional Arrangement and Impact of Community Based Water Storage Structures in Tamil Nadu
• Bioactive Medicinal Molecule from Vegetable for Disease Prevention in Human
• The Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs): Building Bridges to Prosperity for India’s Agri-Fish Farming
• Differential Socio-Psychological Behaviour of the Members of Farmer Producers Organizations (FPOs) with Varied Duration of Operations.
• Decision Making Pattern of Farm Women in Bt. Cotton Cultivation Practices
• Impact Analysis of Farmer Producer Organization on its Member Shareholders: A Case Study
• Village Based Agri-Entrepreneurship in Vegetable Nursery
• Innovations in Family Farms in Algeria: Role of Professional Organizations and Agricultural Cooperatives
• Impact of Front-Line Demonstration (FLDS) on Knowledge Level and Adoption of Production Technology of Paddy Growing Farmers of Jammu and Kathua Districts of J & K
• Social Empowerment of Rural Women through Self-Help Groups: A Study in Gujarat State
• An Analytical Study of Kisan Sarathi: An ICT-led Intervention for Technological Information Dissemination
• Role of SHGs in Resource Management vis-à-vis Sustainability of Kerala’s Dairy Sector
• Extent of Mechanical Methods of Paddy Straw Management Techniques Among Farmers of Punjab State
• Impact of Front Line Demonstrated Technology of Sesame – A Step for Doubling Farmers’ Income
• Analyses of Socio-engineering Attributes of Farm Beneficiaries under BC Programme in Hyderabad Karnataka
• Impact of training programme on knowledge of farm facilitators about Bhoochetana Programme
• Demonstration of short duration rice (Oryza sativa) variety PB 1509 as a strategy to cope with climate change
• Evaluation of Front-Line Demonstration on Chick Pea (Cicer arietinum L.) in Bundelkhand zone
• Nutritional Status and Dietary Habits of Adult Women: Community Based Study in Barpeta District of Assam
• Evaluating Digital Agricultural Extension– Evidences from YouTube channel of Punjab Agricultural University
• Economic Contribution of Jojoba Cultivation
• Capacity Building of Farmers Through Training On Organic Farming Practices
• Farmers’ Adaptation About Climate Change in South Gujarat
• Regional and Community Governance: Strengthening Local Democracy and Resilience
• Economic impact of Front-Line Demonstrations in Mahasamund district of Chhattisgarh's
• Assessing the Knowledge Level of Farmers about Climate Change: Evidence from Nagaland, India
• Unleashing the Power of social media for Effective Dairy Extension: A case study
• A study on technological gap in adoption of recommended maize cultivation practices by the shareholders of Nameri Valley Farmer Producer Company in Sonitpur District of Assam
• Study on Awareness and Perception of Farmers about Soil Health Card in Katihar District
• Consequences of KVK’s Kisan Mobile Sandesh in Seeking of Agricultural Information for Increasing the Income of Tribal Farmers in Barwani District Madhya Pradesh
• Adoption and Economic analysis of different methods and techniques used for management of Phytophthora disease in Punjab for Kinnow crop.
• Effectives of e-learning information module in enhancing knowledge of dairy farmers about transition period
• Role Of ICT in The Dissemination and Access of Agricultural Information
• Study of Technological Interventions of Cluster Frontline demonstrations (CFLD) pulses on yield enhancement of Pigeon pea (Cajanus Cajan L.) in tribal district of Mandla, Madhya Pradesh
• Influence of Demographic Factors on Entrepreneurial Intention of Veterinary Students in India
• An Economic Analysis of organic Farming for Sustainable Agriculture and Facing the Constraints by Organic Farmers of Uttarakhand
• Flourish with Hybrid Marigold cultivation
• Protecting Agriculture: Understanding Farmer’s Adaptation in Coastal Odisha
• Adoption Level of Feeding Management Practices of Buffalo Farmers in District Kanpur Nagar
• Managing the Adverse Impacts of Climate Change in Agriculture: A case study on NICRA Project in Purulia District of West Bengal
• Efficacy of Solar Photovoltaic Water Pumping System for Irrigation in North East India
• Constraints Encountered by the Paddy Growers of Meghalaya
• Empathy of Scientists and Students towards Animal Welfare in Haryana
• Technological Approaches for Early Quality Nursery Raising of Vegetable Crops in Chhota Nagpur Plateau of Jharkhand
• AI Based Metanalysis of Global Trends in Research on Pig Production
• Empowering Smallholder Farmers for Sustainable Agri-food Systems: A Case Study of Soil-SMaRT Interventions in Rangareddy District, Telangana, India
• Improvement in decision support and attitude of farmers through Information and communication technology and skill improvement for enhanced production
• Attitude of Beneficiary Farmers Towards Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Scheme in Udaipur Districts of Rajasthan
• Performance of Vegetables, Cereals and Plantation crops under Natural Farming
• Marigold: A potential crop with a golden harvest for sustaining the livelihood security of small and marginal farmers
• The Adaptation Strategies of Indigenous Communities of Biosphere Reserves and Heritage Zones: A Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Model
• Extent of Adoption of Paddy Residue Management Techniques in Sri Muktsar Sahib
• Sustainable Year-Round Nutri-garden for Food and Nutritional Security in Resource-Poor Eastern Indian Households
• Nutrition Gardens: A Sustainable Model For Food Security And Diversity At Anganwadi Centres In Khagaria District Of Bihar
• Perception of BMC Members on Depletion of Natural Resources
• Prevalence and Distribution of French Bean Anthracnose in Udhampur District of Jammu
• Stakeholders’ Behaviour towards Natural Farming: A Case of Bareilly District, Uttar Pradesh
• Water Quality and Growth of IMC, in an in-situ and Externally Produced Biofloc System
• Effect of Drying Temperature and Velocity on Quality Characteristics of Yak Milk Cottage Cheese (hard churpi)
• Enemies of apiary (Apis cerena indica) and their eco-friendly management in Northern Hills Zone of Chhattisgarh, India
• Forage Production Technology Adopted by the Farmers in Chhattisgarh: A Critical Review of Existing Practices
• Constraints Analysis of Groundnut Growers towards the Adoption of Recommended Production Technology
• Performance of Wheat Varieties Under Different Irrigation Scheduling in Zero Tillage
• Conversion of Agricultural by Products: White button Mushroom Cultivation
• Jalkund-A Sustainable Resource Conservation Technology in The Hills
• Effect of Farming System for Nutrition on Nutritional intakes : A Study of rural areas in Bihar
• Sustainable livestock production and climate change
• Impact of Bajra Based Product on Adolescent Girls through On Farm Trial in Sahibganj District of Jharkhand
• Research for the Innovation of The Agri-Food System in India Cooperation
• Farmers’ Knowledge Assessment on Disaster Risk Reduction Practices of Flood Prone areas of North Bank Plain Agro-Climatic Zone of Assam
• Resource Conservation and Sustainable Development Through Indigenous Traditional Knowledge
• Modern Extension Technologies: Motivating Farmers for Sustainable Agriculture
• Role of mobile applications in adoption of Scientific Animal Husbandry practices in semi arid region of Uttar Pradesh
• Role of mobile applications in adoption of Scientific Animal Husbandry practices in semi arid region of Uttar Pradesh
• Effect of 8-HQC Based Chemicals on the Vase Life of Two Heliconia Cut Flower Species
• Effectiveness of Public Departments: Livestock Services Providers in Jaipur District of Rajasthan
• Role of Animal Husbandry in Women Empowerment
• Gender Development in Digital Era
• Farmers’ Preferences for Privatization of Agricultural Extension Services
• Factors contributing towards youth engagement in agropreneurship among higher education students in Malaysia
• Women’s Economic Participation and Decision Making: A Review from Rural India
• Knowledge of Recommended Goat Farming Practices under the ARYA Project in the Barmer District of Rajasthan
• A Trial for Enhancing Tribal Farmers’ Incomes through Value Addition in Green Peas by Drying Under Fluidized Bed Drying
• Empowering Women Through Food Processing: A Study of Saharanpur District (UP)
• Heeding the euphony of existing Agricultural Information System Network (AINS)

In brief, the IEEC-23 has been concluded with the following deliberations: Raising agricultural productivity and incomes in the smallholder production sector is crucial for reducing poverty and achieving food security, as a key driver of economic transformation and growth. In the changing rural scenario, the Community-Based Organisation (CBO) is emerging as the key player in rural poverty alleviation and ensuring food security through transformation. So, to work with the people in the rural areas for unleashing the essence of developmental services requires the existence and strengthening of Community Based Organisation (CBO). A community-based organization is an organization that provides social services at the local level. It is a non-profit organization whose activities are based primarily on voluntary efforts. Community-based organizations are answers to the capabilities of communities to respond to various risks and adapt to changing conditions. Firstly, strong organizations at the local level help communities to coordinate actions and take joint decisions. Well organized communities are always in a better position to manage their natural resources sustainably, and act in response to external shocks, including those related with poverty. In addition, a community-based organization is a foundation that enables local communities to voice and enforce their interests to influence the decision-making process at higher level and to make the policy makers accountable. Through strong community-based organization, communities are more successful in seeking support for adaptation in the form of financial flows, information and capacity building etc. Sustainable agri-food systems are critical to averting climate-driven social and ecological disasters, overcoming the growth paradigm, and redefining the interactions of humanity and nature in the twenty-first century. The endurance of small-scale agroecological production systems around the world is evidence of their continuing importance to household consumption, community livelihood and cultural identity as well as surrounding landscapes and ecologies. Community Based Organizations (CBOs) are not for profit; organizations at local and national level facilitating community efforts for community development. CBOs works through people-centred modes of development ensuring availability of micro-finance, quality participation in development leading to improved community health, education, and infrastructures over time. The purpose of CBOs is to plan, implement, and monitor social and economic development programs and provide technical and financial help to the communities. CBOs positively affects the process of rural change i.e. increase in income, improvement in health, nutrition and literacy status of the populations through programs on micro-enterprise, health and education, sustainable agriculture, animal husbandry, safe water and sanitation etc. Ensuring the social, economic, and ecological future of human and non-human life depends on changing dominant agri-food systems as well as dominant agri-food systems research and education. Advancing our understanding of existing agri-food system solutions helps stakeholders identify innovative solution options, support maintaining present solutions, test solution plans, optimize implementation efforts and verify solution outcomes before, during and after implementation. In such a resilient situation, the CBOs can play a pivotal role as extension service provider related to food, health, and education of the rural people for sustainable agri-food system and rural development.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The international extension education congress on “Rural Transformation and Sustainable Agri-food System through Community Based Organisation (CBO) Oriented Extension Strategy” organized by SEE, Agra (18 to 20 December 2023) has been an illustrious success wherein for the 3 consecutive days of brilliant minds and motivation from across the world got together to examine and demonstrate the opportunities of a community-based organization in mobilizing resource and designs, concepts and confirmations for shaping the new age extension strategy. In this journey, theoretical inputs have been matched against empirical evidence. Pragmatism has been flown into policy issues and lastly, the methodologies applied were vindicated against empirical achievements.

The following recommendations derived from the International Extension Education Congress can usher in a new era of positive rural transformation and sustainable agri-food system in India:

• Community-based organizations (CBOs) must be the integral component of the pluralistic Extension Advisory Service (EAS) providers related to food, health, and education of the rural people for sustainable agri-food system and rural transformation in India
• CBOs must be strengthened and empowered in the case of retaining youth in rural areas and enhancing the profitability of the Indian peasants by reducing the cost of cultivation.
• The CBOs must be utilized in case of channelizing the innovation for its socialization as CBOs are the prime movers of Agricultural Information System Networks in rural areas and immensely influence rural transformation and sustain the agri-food system
• Through strong community-based organizations, communities are more successful in seeking support for adaptation in the form of financial flows, information and capacity building etc. CBOs must be the impact point for developing a Climate Smart Village (CSV).
• CBOs positively affect the process of rural transformation in case of an increase in income, improvement in health, nutrition and literacy status of the populations through programs on micro-enterprise, health and education, sustainable agriculture, animal husbandry, safe water and sanitation etc. Consequently, CBOs must be highlighted in case any positive rural change at the grass root level.
• Appropriate policy support is the key to sustain the activities of CBOs for rural transformation and sustenance of agri-food system