Overview
In view of its increasing importance and disciplinary distinction, Agricultural Extension which was formerly a division in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, was separated into a full-fledged Department in December 1995. The new Department of Agricultural Extension is located in the "Rubber triangle" adjacent to the Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture between the old and new Galaha Roads.
Agricultural extension courses are offered in all four years of the undergraduate degree program on B.Sc. Agricultural Technology and Management. Various courses are offered in different aspects of agricultural extension such as Agricultural Extension Education, Agricultural Communication, Agricultural Sociology and Organizational Management. These courses are taught by staff members who have the necessary background of education and experience. The department is closely linked with the Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture through the Board of Study in Agricultural Extension. The academic staff of the department are involved in conducting courses and also serve as research supervisors and examiners of the institute.
The research program of the department is directly concerned with the socio-economic problems of agricultural development. Research activities centre around: small holder agriculture and food systems, agricultural development, agricultural knowledge systems, adoption of agricultural innovations, sociology of agriculture, gender and development, management of development interventions, communication and media, community health and agriculture, social aspects of environment and natural resource management, management of agricultural organizations and participatory rural development.
Among the facilities available in the department are a fully equipped Audio-Visual Unit, an Information Technology Laboratory and a Desk-Top Publishing Unit which are immensely helpful to the academic, research and outreach programs undertaken by the department. Consultation and evaluation activities are carried out by individual and team members of the academic staff who have a broad background, experience and training. The members serve as consultants of various ministries of the Government and international organizations. These activities contribute to the improvement of the national and international development programs. In addition to these, various workshops are organized and conducted by the Department for state and non-government organizations.