Postscript










I have tried in this manual to present various ways of communicating
with farmers which conform to the agreed values that underpin
agricultural extension. Also, what has been recommended follows well
established principles that hold true in any field of adult education.
The key messages have been:
 Make sure you are well prepared, but always be a
 good listener;
 Be graphic in your presentations of information, but
 use discussion and action-based modes of
 communication whenever possible;
 Become a skilled performer, but involve the farmers
 in the practice of skills whenever the opportunity
 arises.
Here is another version of the Chinese proverb:
 I learn a little from what I hear,
 More from what I see,
 Most from what I do.
And this touches on the limitations of a manual of this kind. You may
learn a little about communication by reading this book. But you
will learn much more if you make a deliberate attempt to practice the
recommended modes and methods.
 VThink about what you are doing.
 vWhen things go well, ask yourself why.
 vWhen things go not so well, ask yourself why.
And get as much feedback about your performances as you can-from
your colleagues and from your farmers.