Applying adult education principles to agricultural extension programmes : a case study of pesticide extension

Problems with the education of users of pesticides in agriculture' are of political and social importance, yet the dangers of pesticides still go unheeded in the community. Most efforts to educate users have failed to cope with the problem. This study investigated ways of implementing adult education principles in an extension effort to inform people about correct pesticide use, and to overcome deficiencies in their understanding of pesticides. After reviewing the literature and developing an appropriate extension model based on adult education principles, the model was tested on several groups of farmers, extension workers, and industry specialists. The results show that appropriate extension techniques can be developed to bring about greater understanding of the problems associated with the use of pesticides and provide a stimulus for further action. A list of growers' suggestions for further action was developed using this method