Analyzing the Usefulness of Demonstration Plots as Perceived by the Farmers in District Faisalabad, Pakistan

Abstract

Agricultural extension is the driver of motivation of farmers towards the adoption of agricultural innovations. Therefore, different extension methods are employed to enhance the effectiveness of extension services and bring change in farmers' behaviour. In this study, an attempt is made to explore the use of demonstration plots as perceived by the farmers in district Faisalabad. In this study, a total of 130 randomly selected farmers, five Agriculture Officers (AOs) and five Field Assistants (FAs) participated. From the farmers, data were collected through face-to-face interview techniques on a structured and validated interview schedule whereas from the extension field staff, the data were collected on an interview guide. Quantitative data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and qualitative data were analysed using a content analysis approach. Qualitative results indicated that the demonstration plots helped farmers to change their behaviour from a traditional farming approach to a modern approach of farming for more production and profits. Group discussion, method and result demonstration methods were focused areas while demonstrating technologies at the demonstration plot. Farmers found demonstration plots useful for the reasons of being active, cooperation from the extension staff, equal treatment to the farmers, participation of farmers in group meetings, enhanced learning and motivating farmers to adopt the latest technologies. Considering the usefulness, there is a need to enhance the number of demonstration plots. More research studies are also recommended to be conducted in other districts of the Punjab s well to investigate the further room for improvement and strengthen the extension services for farmers.