Submitted to: Dr.

Pardeep Chahal
Submitted by:Sumit Bhardwaj(2013A52BVI)
Suman(2013A50BVI)
PREFACE
One of the most important functions of Extension is to bridge
the gulf between research centers and the farmers in the matter
of introduction of improved methods of agriculture. In other
words successful communication is the main job of an extension
worker. But the extension worker's job does not end with
merely informing the farmers about improved practices, he
Should also ensure practical application (by the farmers) of the
technology. Hence the efficiency of the extension worker is
measured by the number of farmers and communities that
adopt the new practices.
1. There is lag between what is known and what
is done by most farmers. Why?
2. Where do most farmers get their new ideas?
3. Some farmers accept new ideas and put them
into practice faster than others. Why?
4. Some new ideas and practices are accepted
quickly and with little apparent efforts, while
others are accepted only after years of effort
put forth by extension agencies. Why?
ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS MAY BE
FOUND IF :
The extension worker understands
meaning of:
Diffusion

Adoption

Diffusion and adoption processes

Innovation etc. by which farmers

accept new ideas

1. Adoption-It is a decision to make full use of an innovation as a
best course of action available.
2.Adoption Process: adoption process is the mental process
through which an individual passes from hearing about an
innovation to final adoption. Adoption process occurs at
individual level.
3.Diffusion-It is a process by which an innovation is
communicated through certain channels over time among the
members of the social system.
4.Diffusion Process: Diffusion process is the spread of a new idea
from its source of invention or creation to its ultimate users or
adopters.
CONT
The previous definitions indicate that "diffusion is a
process related to adoption of an innovation in an
entire social system such as a village or block etc.
while adoption is a sequence of thoughts and actions
which an individual goes through, before he finally
adopts a new idea".
5.Innovation: An innovation is an idea, practice or object
that is perceived as new by an individual or other unit
of adoption.
An innovation diffuses within a social system through its
adoption by individuals and groups. The decision to adopt an
innovation, however, "is not normally a single, instantaneous
act", it involves a process. The "adoption process" is a decision-
making process goes through a number of mental stages
before making a final decision to adopt an innovation.
The 2 most famous models of adoption process are:
1. FIVE STAGE MODEL OF ADOPTION PROCESS(North Central
Rural Sociology Sub Committee)
2. SEVEN STAGE MODEL OF ADOPTION PROCESS (SINGH &
PAREEK)
1. Awareness: At this stage an individual becomes aware
of some new idea such as maize hybrid or new
pesticide. He knows about the existence of the new idea
but he lacks details about it.
2. Interest: At the interest stage, a person wants more
information about the idea or product. He wants to know
what it is, how it works and what its potentialities are.
3. Evaluation: At this stage, the individual makes mental
application of the new idea to the present and
anticipated future situations and decides whether or not
to try it. The person makes an assessment whether the
idea is applicable to own situation, and if applied what
would be the result.
4. Trial: The individual actually applies the new idea on a
small scale in order to determine its utility in own
situation.
5. Adoption: This final stage in the process is
characterized by large scale, continued use of the
idea, and most of all, by satisfaction with the idea.
Being satisfied with the trial and considering the pros
and cons of the situation, the individual takes final
decision and applies the innovation in a scale
appropriate to own situation on a continued basis.
Need
Awareness
Interest
Deliberation
Trial
Evaluation
Adoption
1. Need: This is a stage when an individual wishes to change
his existing practices, express dissatisfaction and develops a
compromise.
2. Awareness: The individual just comes to know about an
innovation without knowing the details of it.
3. Interest: He makes an attempt to know more about the
innovation. Asks extension agents/friends and seeks
information and sees the innovation.
4. Deliberation: This is a stage of deliberation and mental
evaluation. The individual mentally examines the possibility
of application of the innovation under own condition. He
seeks advice, observes the performance at different places
and discusses with family members. The individual then
takes a decision to try out or reject the idea.
5. Trial: An individual uses an innovation in part or
sometimes in full. The individual applies the
practice on a limited scale to observe the
performance under own conditions.
6.Evaluation: The individual evaluates the
performance of the innovation. The individual
observes the performance of an innovation on
various dimensions
7. Adoption: It is a decision to use the practices on
continued basis.
Attributes are qualities, characteristics or traits possessed by
an object. The perceived attributes of innovations which are
basic to extension are as follows :
1. Relative advantage: is the degree to which an innovation is
perceived as being better than the idea it supersedes.
2. Compatibility: is the degree to which an innovation is
perceived as consistent with the existing values, past
experiences and needs of potential adopters.
3. Complexity: is the degree to which an innovation is
perceived as relatively difficult to understand and use. An
innovation should, as far as possible, be less complex for
the farmers to understand and use.
4. Trialability: is the degree to which an
innovation may be experimented with on a
limited basis.
5. Observability: is the degree to which the
results of an innovation are visible to others.
6. Predictability : Predictability refers to the
degree of certainty of receiving expected
benefits from the adoption of an innovation.