Extension Education Institute (EEI), Anand Agricultural University (AAU, Gujarat)
The Extension Education Institute EEI in its short form or प्रसार शिक्षण संस्था (in Hindi) is an agricultural institute established for the Extension of Knowledge through traning programme.
Training of farmers and govt. employees from the department of agriculture, horticulture and related departments.
These employees are extension personnel and their major works are extension of knowledge (agriculture and related sectors) and departmental schemes.
Also read: SAMETI, Raipur
Located in Anand, Gujarat, India, it is one of the four major institutes for training, especially government employees such as SADO (Senior Agriculture Development Officer, RAEO (Rural Agricultural Extension Officer), SHDO (Senior Horticultural Extension Officer), RHEO (Rural Horticultural Extension Officer), ADO (Agriculture/Agricultural Development Officer), HDO (Horticulture/Horticultural Development Offer), SMS (Subject Matter Specialist) and Others.
General Info.: Extension Education Institute
Twitter: Anand Agricultural University
Director: Dr. K. K. Patel
Association Directorate of Extension, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, Krishi Vistar Bhavan, Pusa, New Delhi- 110012
Type: Govt. Training Institute for Extension Personnel.
Training For: This institute organizes the training programme for extension personnel of-
Western Zone States: Gujarat, Mahasrastra, Rajasthan, Goa.
Western Zone Territories: UTs of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Diu and Daman.
Central Zone States: Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh.
Location Kethibadi or Khetiwai (खेतीबाड़ी अथवा खेतिवाड़ी), Anand Agricultural University Campus, Anand, Gujarat, India.
Also read: List of KVK in India
(1). Brief History
Establishment
Foundation: According AAU- “The foundation stone of this institute by- Dr. Douglas Ensminger of “Ford Foundation” Representative in India on Friday the 6th October 1961. By now, it has completed 54 years.”
Date of Establishment: 17th September, 1962.
Funding: The institute received initial financial support from Ford Foundation, an American Private Foundation which mission is advancing or improving human welfare around the world. And, it could become possible by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Government of India, New Delhi.
(2) Training Program
In present the training in any field is very very important. It is necessary for personal development and upgradation. This is the practical way of self development and upgradation.
It helps in discovering one’s core capabilities. Sharing personal knowledge (upgraded) plays very important role in the development of a country.
This institute establish a channel between 1. Technical knowledge related with the field of agriculture and, 2. Farmers. It plays a very important role in the success of India’s National Extension Programme.
And, it is done by the team of an advanced and well qualified professionals. It is an extension programme to extend the technical and advanced agricultural knowledge to the farmers, and the direct extension of the advanced technical knowledge become possible through the following channel:
Professionals of EEI >> Extension Personnel (Govt. employees department of agriculture and other related departments) >>> Farmers
Examples of Some Topics included in Training Programme:
- Leadership Development Programme.
- Skill Development Programme.
- Entrepreneurship Development Programme.
- Economics and Marketing.
- Training to local farmers. Example includes- Crop Management Practice, Dairy Farming etc.
(3). Training Programme and Objectives
Training of RAEO
Previously a RAEO or Rural Agriculture Extension Officer was known as Gram Sevak (ग्राम सेवक), literally- ‘a person who works or gives his/her services for the welfare of villagers’. They were key in CDP or Community Development Programme.
This concept of KEY Person became important in developing training programme for present day’s RAEOs. So, the government of India decided to include them in this training programme with better to best trainers.
They are trained, and after training knowledge is transferred to farmers at village/block level. This is known as Agriculture Extension.
Extension of Technologies and Knowledge
Education is key to success, and this fact applied in all fields. Most of the Indian farmers are uneducated and they lack required technology and knowledge in the field of agriculture whether it is cultivation and production of field and horticultural crops, entrepreneurship or marketing. A proper channel for the transfer of technology was needed and it was possible with mass extension education programme.
A channel was developed to achieve these goals. > First- A training institute was Established. >> Second- A team of professionals was formed. >>> Third- Extension Personnel were included in the training programme. And, >>>> Fourth- The transfer of technology based knowledge was completed.
Training of SMS (Subject Matter Specialist) and same grade officers
SMS, SADO, ADA, ADH etc., are trained using modern agril. technologies and other development skills such as leadership and communication skills. Various workshops are organized annually for them.
During 1978 – 79, after the introduction of Training and Visit System (T & V System- An agricultural extension system) the training of these 2nd grade agricultural officers started with some great objectives. New methodology were used.
Extension of Technologies and Knowledge
Transfer of knowledge to small, marginal and big farmers.
However, the existing T & V system is playing a very important role for big farmers in increasing production of crops specially under rain fed conditions.
Farmer’s Consult
- For technology transfer.
- Farmer’s personal development.
- Suitable agriculture development.
- Better crop production and livestock management.
- Holistic approach in improving the overall agril.-production.
- Better commutation among extension personnel and farmers.
(4). Scheduled of Training Program
Generally, it is a 7 days traning programme. The schedule includes following points:
- Notification from EEI.
- Enrollment of govt. employees from related departments.
- Classroom teaching and workshops.
- Visit programme.
- Relieve orders.
Notification from EEI
Notification from director of EEI is released for each zone in each year in a particular time.
Enrollment of govt. employees from related departments
The departments from related zone select employees for training programme. Generally, 2 employees are selected for training program.
Classroom teaching and workshops
Classroom or Workshops are stared and followed as per schedule.
Visit programme
Formal visit: Visit of agriculture related farms and industries etc.
Informal visit: Visit of local places such as Akshardham Temple, Gandhinagar, Ahemdabad etc.
Relieve Orders
Relieve Orders are given to each trainee after the completion of the programme.
Staying of Extension Personnel
Their is a hostel for trainees. These are separate rooms (generally one room for two persons). It is close to EEI the area known, locally, as Khetiwadi/Khetibadi.
(5). How to Reach
To reach EEI, one can select one of the following option:
- Airways- Domestic airways.
- Railways.
- Bus.
- Private vehicles.
Airways
Western Zone States/Territories
- S. N. 2. Name of the airport 3. Location 4. State
Central Zone States
Railways
Western Zone States/Territories
- S. N. 2. Name of the train 3. Route 4. Station
Central Zone States
Bus
Long distance night buses.
Private Vehicle
E.g., cars.
(6). Important Facts
Extension training in India has completed three decades.
Decade of 80s is most significant.
The Directorate of Extension, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi emphasizes on the effectiveness of the training.
EEI organizes need based training programme.
The Annual Training Programmes and Workshops have become a regular extension programme of the Directorate of Extension, Government of India since 1981.
(7). After Training
You can go to visit some natural and other places after the completion of training programme. One famous and worldwide well known place is ‘Dwarkadham (द्वारकाधाम)’, one of the four Dhams in India. The Dwarkadhish Temple (द्वारकाधीश मंदिर) is outstanding.
The important place near by Dwarkadhish Temple is ‘Dwarka Beach’, a part of Arabian Ocean. Another place is Somnath Temple (सोमनाथ मंदिर), the temple of Lord Shiva.
References
EEI, Extension Education Institute, Anand Agricultural University, AAU Campus, Anand, Gujarat, India. Ref. 01.
Aanand Agricultural University. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anand_Agricultural_University. Ref. 02.
Image Post Card Google Earth, Extension Education Anand Gujarat, Anand Agricultural University, Anand, Gujarat, India. Ref. 03.
Image Post Card Google Earth, Anand Railway Junction (Railway Station), Anand, Gujarat, India. Ref. 04.