34

 The next issue is the selection of target groups on whom exten-

sion agents should concentrate their efforts. Indeed, the one attrac-

tive feature of a centralized system is the apparent capability to

redirect extension services from the normal beneficiaries--the large,

progressive farmer--to the small, poorer farmer. Benor proposes that

extension agents try to serve all farmers, particularly small farmers.

He suggests that each extension agent work directly with six to eight

village extension workers, who are government employees. Each of these

village extension workers will work with eight groups of farmers (each

group involving from 300 to 1,200 families depending on circumstances).

In each group, about 10 percent of the farmers (i.e. 30-120) are selected

as contact farmers. (Other experiences, mentioned below, highlight

advantages of working with smaller groups--under 30 people.) The village

extension worker would then have a rigid schedule of visits with each

group and its contact farmers once fortnightly, always at the same time

(e.g., every other Tuesday). Then, each week one day is available for

the village extension worker to receive specialized training from subject

matter specialists. Because training and visiting are set according to

rigid schedules, the system has been named the "training and visiting

system." (The principle of rigidly scheduled visits had been previously

utilized by the Kenya Tea Development Authority.)

 The contact farmers are not elected by the group of farmers.

Rather, they are appointed by the government. In theory, the village

extension worker will work in consultation with village leaders to assure

that the contact farmers are progressive farmers and are representative

of various types and sizes of-farmers. Implicit in that practice is the