station will be focused as closely as possible on the needs and
interests of the particular farmers you are working with. You will
be ensuring their attention and interest in all that follows.
Such an approach is not only respectful of the adultnesss" of the
farmers-it is also the most effective way to establish a climate for
productive learning.
Of course, this method of working does call for a confidence and a
flexibility on your part. But if you practise this participatory
method, you yourself are likely to enjoy the occasions so much more.
You will avoid the staleness that can come from repeating the same
performance over and over again; you will appreciate the slight
tension that comes from having to think on your feet-and you will
develop a pride in your own professionalism as a communicator
when you have mastered the skills of generating discussion and
tailoring your presentation.
However, this does not mean that you do not have to prepare for a
demonstration. In fact your preparation has to be even more
thorough. Because you have to be familiar enough with your subject
to react to the points made by the farmers, to find a pattern of
presentation that fits the questions and issues raised, to relate
what you say to the specific concerns that are raised.

FOCUSING
On the theme of preparation, one vital element-the topic-is
already decided for you when you are working within the T&V
system. The round of fortnightly training sessions should establish
for you the key points to be communicated in your farm visits and
field days.
Nevertheless, there seems to be a strong temptation to try to cover
too much ground in one field day. A temptation you should avoid-
for a number of reasons. First, it makes sense to concentrate only
on those messages that are timely. To deal with something like the
shelling of grain, when the farmers will not be performing that task
for some months ahead is likely to be a waste of effort. Farmers will
learn best what they need to learn and what can be immediately
applied.
Second, if too much information is given out then little of it may be
retained. This is a point to bear in mind, not only when you are
preparing for a demonstration, but when you are conducting the
kind of introductory discussion described above. If the farmers