Lecture - Programme Planning

3 Programme planning – definition, meaning, process, principles and steps in

programme planning / development

Programme is an overall, long ranged schedule or broad outline of things that need to
be done and methods of doing them.
Programme planning is a continuous series of activities leading to the development of
a definite plan of action to accomplish particular objectives.
Extension programme is a statement of situation, objective, problems and
solutions. It is relatively permanent but requires constant revision. It forms the basis for
extension plans.

Plan is usually an annual

schedule of work. Project is a single item of the annual plan containing the
method and solution of single selected problem.
It answers the questions
of what, why, when, where Calendar of work is defined as a plan of work arranged
and by whom and how the
chronologically.
work is to be done?

Scope / importance of programme planning

1. Helps in discovering and planning the ways for action.

2. Gives meaning and system to actions.
3. Prepares the basis for a course of future action.
4. Facilitates decision making for the future.
5. Singles out most significant needs.
6. Identifies the gap between the present situation and the desired situation.
7. Assists in formulation of objectives.
8. Promotes active involvement of local leaders.
Principles of Extension Programme Planning

1. Principle of felt needs: A good programme is that which is based in a felt need
and interest of the people. The needs of most urgent concern and wide spread
interest should be given first priority.
2. Principle of joint participation: Planning should be considered as a joint
responsibility of the officials and public. Therefore the programme should be
jointly developed by the extension staffs and the local leaders.
3. Principle of flexibility: The programme must be flexible enough to allow any
part of the plan to be changed when something important happens that makes
changes necessary in order to get the best results.
4. Principle of simplicity: A good programme is one which provides direction for a
large number of people to move some distance. It will only be possible it is simple
enough that people understand.
5. Principle of coordination: Working alone may not accomplish much. Extension
worker must obtain support of local groups and other organizations. Systematic
planning allows plan to be coordinated horizontally, vertically, across time span
and by types.
6. Principle of practicability: Objectives should be such that they are attainable
with the economic, social and mental capabilities of the people though their own
efforts and with a minimum of outside help.
7. Principle of satisfaction: A programme is good if it provides satisfaction to the
people who participate. For example, who participate in the extension programme
gets increased yield by effectively managing the pests and diseases and gets
satisfaction.
8. Principle of comprehensibility: Efforts should be taken to have a balanced
programme, taking care of all sections of the society. It must be comprehensive
enough to include all age groups, creeds and races at all levels and community,
block, state, national and international problems.
9. Principle of achievability: It is always better to focus attention on problems that
are most important. Extension workers should not try to solve too many problems
at once without making a significant contribution to any of them.
10. Principle of evaluation: Every programme is formulated based on objectives.
These objectives should be sated clearly and in such a way that they are amenable
for evaluation and evaluated.
11. Principle of situation analysis: Sound programme building is based on analysis
of facts of the situation. It is important that all the facts concerning the programme
are considered. Good planning depends on the availability of adequate and
reliable data.
12. Principle of definite plan of work: A good programme has a definite plan of
work. No matter how well the programme is brought out it is of no use unless
carried out.
13. Principle of continuous process: Programme is never completed. The
implementation of programmer may change the situation. Their economic, social
and other factors will change.
14. Principle of teaching process: The programme itself is an excellent teaching
device. People learn to analyse their needs try to decide the relative important to
their problems.
Steps in programme planning
The following five phases of the extension educational process constitute the main step in
preparing, executing and evaluating extension programmes in a continuous cycle.
a. Analysis of the situation and determining problems.
b. Deciding on objectives.
c. Teaching
d. Evaluation
e. Reconsideration.

In programme planning process, these can be broken up into - the following specific steps

The first 4 steps constitute the Extension Programme determination/building the

plan of work and the next 4 steps, the programme implementation/action work of
the plan
1. Collection, analysis and evaluation of data

Good planning depends on the collection of adequate and reliable data and a
scientific elaboration and interpretation of the same, Extension workers must have
adequate knowledge of what farmers produce how and under what conditions they
produce it, and how the production can be stepped up to the maximum for the purpose of
formulating plans at the village and block level.
An intimate knowledge of the cropping patterns, procedures of farm management and
the factors of production is essential for purposeful programme planning in
agriculture jn any area. Therefore, it is of great importance that all extension workers - the
Grama Sevaks, Extension specialists and Block Development Officers - possess the factual
and basic farm and family information required for preparing a sound family, village and
block plan.

A. Basic information about the village.

Eg. Population, Total number of families, Number of farm families, Other
main occupations of the villagers etc.

B. Information about farm management and production programmes.

Eg. Total area under cultivation in the village, Size of an average agricultural
holding, Types and quality of crop grown (including cropping programme,
crop rotation), and types and quality of live-stock etc.
Facts and outlook (trends) at the national and state levels should also be
considered in this context, in addition to those pertaining to the local levels.

2. Determination of objectives

It is essential in the programme planning process that before deciding on the

projects to be undertaken, the basic objectives of the programme are determined by the
villagers in consultation with the extension staff. This means that the villagers must have a
very clear understanding of the projects so that they are able to set up appropriate
objectives for village programmes. The objectives should specify the behavioural changes in
people, besides the social and economic changes aimed at and also satisfy the other criteria.

3. Definition of problems

In the process of programme planning at the family, village or block level, it is

desirable that village activities are properly classified. This will give an opportunity to the
planner and the participants to assess their potentialities and capabilities for executing the
programme.
1. Problems which can be solved by the villagers with their own resources.
Eg. improving yields by adopting improved methods of
agricultural production, improving the manurial potential by
preparing compost pits, organising service co-operatives, rural
youth clubs, mahila mandals, etc.

If the villagers and the village institutions are able to classify their problems
under such broad heads, it will be easy to plan a clear cut programme for each individual,
family and the village. Under these conditions, the internal and external resources can be
utilised economically and quicker results obtained. In the programme planning process, it is
also desirable to break up the complex problems step by step into simple problems.

4. Finding solutions to problems

The Gram Sevak working at the village level and extension officer working as a
specialist at the block level are two very important functionaries who advise the village
families and village institutions on their problems. It is of best importance of these
functionaries have a clear understanding of the village problems and keep themselves
equipped for offering solutions to the problems the villagers present to them. They must
consult their superior specialists on problems they are not able to handle themselves. The
solutions offered should be practicable and economical and should result in satisfaction and
learning.

The best method of convincing the villagers is for the specialists to function in the
programme as partners.

5. Selecting problems to be tackled

All the problems cannot be tackled simultaneously, even though the solutions for
them are known. Therefore, it is necessary for the extension workers and the village
institutions to select problems and concentrate their efforts on projects in a phased way. This
will result in appreciable achievements and convince the village people about the utility of
the programme. Sporadic efforts sometimes do not end in lasting and convincing
impressions on the minds of rural people. Care, therefore, must be exercised by programme
committees setup at village and block levels to review the situation periodically for
determining how much progress has been made on projects underway, which projects are
completed and which new projects may be initiated. This would provide opportunities
for selecting problems for programme planning in a more methodical and democratic
manner.

6. Annual plan of work

Preparing a plan of activities directed towards solving selected problems is an

important step. A plan of work is the listing of activities by which the objectives already
decided upon are to be achieved. It includes the methods of executing the programme such
as demonstrations, discussion meeting, family contacts by the extension workers, etc. It
indicates the places, timings and persons responsible for carrying out the programme
along with methods of evaluating the progress.

An adequate training is required for the extension staff to acquire the necessary skill
in developing programmes at family, village and block levels in co-operation with people's
institutions like the Panchayat Samithi, the village panchayat, the co-operative society etc.,
and the village families. The training of the members of village panchayat, service co-
operative societies rural youth clubs and Panchayat Samithi will also form an essential
element in the process of programme planning. For successful implementation of any
programme it is desirable that advance planning be done. As the first step towards its
implementation, a calender indicating the activities to be .carried out during each month
should be prepared.

7. Carrying out the plan

The success of a programme depends on how well it is carried out. Immediate

steps should be taken by the village development officer and local institutions at the
village level the extension specialist, the Block Development Officer and the Panchayat
Samithi at the block level to phase every activity in a proper perspective, and arrange all
things in time. Proper arrangements for the supply of fertilisers, equipment, credit, audio-
visual aids and literature should be made much in advance. A training programme for
specialised projects should be organised much ahead. Efforts should be made to select the
best type of local leaders who can shoulder the responsibility and multiply the efforts of the
extension agency. All steps in carrying out a programme should be discussed with the
villagers and their consent obtained at appropriate periods so that a partnership in the
programme is built up and maintained.

8. Continuous checking and evaluation of results

An effective plan of work requires the keeping of adequate records of each activity
as a basis for future evaluation. Evaluation of the activities should be undertaken jointly by
the extension staff, the village institutions and the Panchayat Samithi. Each future
programme
should be based on the evaluation results of the previous one. Successful
evaluation gives a correct direction to a programme. It should be remembered
that evaluation is not mere recording of activities or achievements but is a
process of comparing these results with the original objectives.

9. Review of progress and projection of plans

At the end of each cycle of the programme building process, the

situation should be reconsidered in view of the changes in the social and
economic levels of the people so that the whole process may begin again with
new or modified objectives. Village institutions like the Panchayat, the co-
operative and the school, and also the Panchayat Samithi should periodically
review the progress of plan in co-operation with the staff members of the block.
Programmes which have created an impact on the people and are being accepted
by them should be extended to the neighbouring areas where similar agro-
climatic and socio-economic conditions occur. Research should be conducted on
the programmes which are not being accepted by the people and the reasons.
The crucial point in the success of programme planning is proper blending of
local experience with relevant results of research. The direct and indirect
consequences of the technological innovations must be recognized in planning
and implementation of technological change.