Extension
Agricultural extension is the application of scientific research and new knowledge to agricultural practices through farmer education.
Role of Extension
The role of the extension services of the Guyana Rice Development Board is focused in four thematic areas:
- Marketing Seed Paddy
- Technology Transfer
- Data Collection
- Special/Supporting Activities
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Functions of Extension
Functions of Extension Services:
- To provide technical production information to farmers.
- To engage in off station testing of new varieties, fertilizers, pesticides, water management practices and land preparation operations developed by the Rice Research Station.
- To work in collaboration with farmers to identify production problems and advising on corrective measures.
- To provide field services in terms of crop survey, reporting and distribution of seed padi.
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Farmer Field School
The Farmer Field School was initiated to “pool together” the resources of the better farmers in a structured way to help address some of the concerns encountered by them in the industry. It was envisaged that this institution could be a very effective tool in bridging the yield gap, as it will bring together farmers from diverse backgrounds and who will be able to share their knowledge and experience for the benefit of each other. Ultimately, farmers with limited experience will be able to access other information and techniques in planting from the “better” farmers thereby allowing them to improve on what they are doing.
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History of Rice Extension
It has been established that Rice extension began under the Ministry of Agriculture (Davidson, 1997) Before any attempt can be made to examine how rice extension evolved under this Ministry one has to looked at how the extension services in general began.
