Introduction can lead to a successful performance on each of these different
 occasions.
 The intention has been to make the writing as relevant and
 practical as possible, by giving illustrations based on actual field
 experience and by including checklists which relate directly to the
 various tasks of the extension worker's everyday work routine.
 Although the word "he" is used throughout this manual for the sake
 of stylistic simplicity, the author and the project are well aware
 that in many cases, in Kenya and in other countries, the front-line
 extension worker may well be a woman and working with women
 farmers as well as with men. So, whenever the words like "he"
 appear, please assume "he/she" or "his/hers".


 AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION: A STATEMENT OF
 PRINCIPLES
 In writing this guide for front-line workers, a number of basic
 assumptions have influenced what has been said about extension
 methods:

 1. Extension becomes most effective when there is a
 three-way interactive communication between
 research agencies, the front-line field workers and
 the farmers.

 2. Effective extension starts where the farmers are
 and seeks to build on their established knowledge
 and skills.

 3. Effective extension utilizes the knowledge and
 skills of farmers.

 4. Effective extension is addressed to the practice of
 farming and, therefore, it employs active, problem-
 centred and discussion-based methods of
 communication.


Introduction