Extension Core Competencies and Skills for Effective Transfer of Technology 29th August to 02nd September, 2023

The roles and responsibilities of an extension education may be classified into two broad categories: process skills or functional competencies, and technical skills. Networking with local organizations, facilitating group formation, resolving conflict and engaging stakeholders in programme planning are examples of process skills or functional competencies. Developing core competencies is fundamental to all extension staff training. Davis (2015), Davis and sulaiman (2014) and sulaiman and Davis (2012) articulate the need to develop funcational and technical capacities across three levels: individuals, organizations and enabling environment. They also emphasize capacity development as a long-term investment for extension.The programme was organized at EEI, Hyderabad. Ice breaking exercises helped in creating a relaxed environment where trainees share ideas and participated more fully in the class Encouraged trainees to share ownership for the learning environment of the class Helped in building rapport among trainees and foster a productive learning environment Prepared trainees for collaborative group work. Field visits organized at Burujugadda Thanda, near Shamshabad,Hands on training on ICTs in the computer Lab, EEI. Field visit to Burujugadda Thanda made participants to understand the transformation in th4e livelihoods among tribal farmers with the intervention of an NGO Sarvodaya mandali. Conducted Focused Group Discussion i which the participant officers interacted with farmers on innovations made in the village, interventions through exposure visits to Maharashtra state which has facilitated the farmers to change their cropping pattern and make their farming profit oriented. The core competencies of NGO motivated the farmers to realize this change. The drop out youth from colleges were targeted to promote entrepreneurial activities. The training methodologies adopted are - Now way days ICTs play an important role in reaching the unreached. Various tools are available to create awareness among farmers through ICTs. Keeping this in view, a session on "Information Communication Technologies and hand on experience has been scheduled, in which. During inauguration, the chief guest of the programme Dr.K.Madhu Babu, Professor EEI and Course Coordinator has reiterated the importance of developing Core Competencies which will make them bring changes among the farming community and will definitely contribute for profit oriented farming. Requested all the participants to focus attention in this direction. During valediction, Dr.M.Jagan Mohan Reddy, Director EEI has expressed his concern and said that, there is explosion in the social media for information but the credibility of using that information is the need of the hour. In the continues journey of enhancing the delivery competencies, it is very important to explore various ways and means to get equipped with latest know how.The credibility of the officers lies with documentation of success cases of the farmers. Application of learned knowledge at bakhome situation will definitely enhance the core competencies of Extension officers he added. This programme has been tailor made to meet the objectives. The sessions were dealt professionally by various speakers and made the programme unforgettable. How to promote agriprenuership and various ICT tools taught were worth using. Leadership and stress management were dealt with practical exercises made more effective. A participant from Kerala don't want to attend the programme as few others got permission for not attending due to Onam which is state important festival. But he himself realized that if he also gets permission not to attend, he would have missed the important programme. The no of trainees attended programme are 19 representing Dept. of State Agri. University, Animal Husbandry, Agriculture and Horticulture. The programme was coordinated by Dr.K.Madhu Babu, Professor. Cost of the programme was Rs.1,60,000.00