Instituting effective demonstration farming

The varying situations in agriculture make it essential to adjust land-use methods, introduce new technologies and develop agricultural enterprises. Demonstrations, effectively organized and conducted, are a means of communicating new agricultural practices to farmers. While passing on information they also create new attitudes. If followed up promptly the demonstrations can often lead to the adoption of innovations and improved practices.

Innovative approaches can increase the productivity and the income levels of small farmers. Demonstrations are an integral part of a whole range of educational aids the practitioner could use to facilitate adoption of agricultural innovations by farmers. The lead in this direction is being taken by enterprising farmers and by institutions which are oriented to both research and development. These new practices, innovations and improvements have to be spread to other farmers so that they can also reap the benefits. This task is usually undertaken by government extension services; but a number of farmers' associations, industries, educational institutions, banks and other nongovernment voluntary organisations are also taking such initiatives.

Kandito Women Goat Project in Nairobi set up a demonstration of goat-rearing with assistance from private non-government organisations and the Kenyan Ministry of Agriculture. The initial success of the demonstration goat centre resulted in the expansion of the project to five other areas.

The People's College in Uttar Pradesh works with relatively large farms (amalgamations of the holdings of several family members) where intensive agriculture and in some cases mechanized agriculture is practised. The college provides many kinds of support for these farms and uses them as demonstrations for other farmers in the area.

The Banavasi Seva Ashram, AGRINDUS is itself a comprehensive pilot demonstration in new agricultural and industrial techniques in India. The demonstration farm is on 250 acres of land donated by The Forest Department. Successful experiments in ravine reclamation, leveling, earthen dams, water reservoirs, crop patterns, cross-breeding of cattle, fruit orchards and mineral-based village industries have been established. By demonstration these have spread through a region containing over 5,000 villages.

In the early 1980s, Granjas Integrades (Integrated Farms), Mexico, incorporated diverse but related components of farming in a demonstration of alternative ways to manage natural resources and produce food for home consumption. The committee owns the farm. Different aspects of farming were integrated, such as animal management, production of vegetables and treatment of garbage and members of the community were trained in management skills. The project was framed as done as a demonstration for the community, a proposal for other communities, and as a micro-level suggestion for the national economy. 184 families were initially involved. 25 other farms started up as a direct result of this demonstration.