Question

Role of farm leaders in Extension include -
(A) Giving credit to the needy farmers
(B) Raising demonstration plots
(C) Educating children of the farmers
(D) Assistance to the farmers in getting credit
(E) Serving needs of the innovative farmers in the village
Choose the correct answer from the options given below :

• A. (A), (B) and (C) only
• B. (B), (C) and (D) only
• C. (B), (D) and (E) only
• D. (C), (D) and (E) only

Hint:

Local farm leaders are highly effective because they share a similar background and social status with local farmers (homophily), making their advice highly trusted and credible within the community.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Local farm leaders (also known as opinion leaders or key communicators) play a vital role in agricultural extension.
They serve as trusted, local sources of information and help bridge the gap between extension agencies and the broader farming community.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze the responsibilities and roles of farm leaders in extension:
Statement (A): "Giving credit to the needy farmers"
Farm leaders are not financial institutions and do not have the capital to lend credit directly.
Thus, Statement (A) is incorrect.
Statement (B): "Raising demonstration plots"
Farm leaders are often early adopters of new technologies.
They set up demonstration plots on their own lands to show neighboring farmers the benefits of new techniques or crop varieties.
Thus, Statement (B) is correct.
Statement (C): "Educating children of the farmers"
While supporting rural development is important, formally educating children is the responsibility of schools, not local farm leaders.
Thus, Statement (C) is incorrect.
Statement (D): "Assistance to the farmers in getting credit"
Farm leaders often help local farmers by connecting them with cooperative banks, helping them fill out loan applications, and guiding them through the credit process.
Thus, Statement (D) is correct.
Statement (E): "Serving needs of the innovative farmers in the village"
Farm leaders interact with innovative farmers to learn about new practices, helping to spread these ideas to the rest of the community.
Thus, Statement (E) is correct.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The roles of farm leaders in extension include (B), (D), and (E) only.
This corresponds to Option (C).