Training in the field
Most developing countries have training programmes designed to
help the rural community improve its standard of living. These are often in the
form of extension services aimed at the peasant farmer or fisherman. The aim of
extension services is to help the villager to help himself and the aim of every
extension worker should be 'to leave the community in a better state than he
found it'. The extension worker usually has a general knowledge covering a
particular field; however, he must have easy and direct access to experts in
other fields, in case problems arise with which he is not capable of dealing.
The extension worker must ascertain what is best for the community in which he
is to work and he must also realise that there are many constraints which tend
to prevent any improvement. It is most important that, as far as possible, the
results of his efforts should be quantified; for example, he should be able to
demonstrate that any innovation he may suggest to a fisherman or his family will
show some benefit. This should ideally be in the form of cash benefits to the
fisherman; for example, he may be able to sell his processed fish at a higher
price because it is of better quality or he may be able to catch more fish for
the same effort because of improved gear or boats.
Not only should an extension worker be able to give advice and
demonstrate improvements in his own particular field but he should also be able
to see what is necessary for the improvement of the community as a whole. For
instance, a village may require a clinic, a water supply or better sanitation, a
primary school or advice on growing crops. The worker may not be able to do any
of these things himself but he should know whom to contact in order that
something can be done.
Training extension workers
Before an extension worker can go out into the villages and
start training others, he will need training himself. It is in this area that
many difficulties begin to arise. To determine the most appropriate training for
an extension worker, we need to know the sort of problems he is likely to
encounter in his work and the training organisers must, therefore, be familiar
with the village situation. All too often, people from outside the country come
into a particular area to teach extension workers improved methods for the
fisheries industry and, before they start work, they do not get to grips with
the real problems that are being encountered in the local fishing community. To
import known technology from other countries without at least seeing whether it
is appropriate to the particular situation is foolhardy to say the least. The
technology and knowledge that should be imparted to an extension worker comes
from various areas i.e. from the experience of others in similar situations,
from the experience of the trainer himself, and from people working in the
country concerned The trainee should be able to ascertain from this information
and from his own experience the sort of improvements that are most likely to be
of use to the fishermen. This groundwork is most important; otherwise the
extension worker may get into the field and find that what he has learned is of
little value. Once the method to be taught (e.g., improved processing, net
mending etc.) has been decided, a syllabus can be drawn up. The details and
background to be included depend to a large extent on the education and the
previous experience of the extension workers.
This brings us to the next point for consideration. Whom does
one select for training? In most cases, the prospective extension worker will be
someone who is already employed by the fisheries department. He will, therefore,
have some knowledge of the fishing industry in his own country and should know
something about the fishery in which he is going to work particularly. Before
undergoing any training, the extension worker must also realise that his life in
the field will not be easy: extension work can entail spending many months away
from home and family under fairly arduous conditions. It is often advisable that
a worker should spend a probationary period in the field with an already
established extension worker before he undergoes any training. This will select
out from prospective candidates those that really do not fit in to the type of
life-style which will be encountered. He will be working without direct
supervision most of the time and must, therefore, be conscientious and
hard-working. He must be able to get on with people without losing his patience
and drive. He will also be working in a strange environment where he will be
unknown and his presence may be resented by some members of the community which
he is in fact trying to help. He must not tee 'put off' by the initial reaction
of the group in which he is to work; he may find them hostile to begin with but,
if he is doing his job properly, they should accept him and gain confidence in
him. However, when improvements can be introduced and adopted by the community,
extension work can be very rewarding. It is extremely important, therefore, that
the right sort of people are chosen to become extension workers.
In addition to the personal qualities outlined above, there are
professional qualifications that must be taken into account. The most important
consideration is that the extension workers must be more able than those they
set out to advise. If extension workers are to demonstrate fishing techniques,
they must be able to out-fish the local fishermen; if they are to demonstrate
processing techniques, they must be able to show that the products they make
will keep better than the traditional ones, or fetch a better price or both.
Extension workers must be well-educated in the first place so that they can keep
abreast of developments within their own country and they must be well-trained.
This training must include practical instruction and practice in the methods
they are likely to be demonstrating. The level to which the workers must be
trained depends on the level of competence of the fishermen themselves. The
general principal is that the workers should be at least one stage ahead.
Methods of getting information to the fishermen
In the previous session, three separate methods were outlined
for making sure that a fisherman gets the information which he requires to
increase his livelihood:
1. Individual training on a one-to-one basis
2. Group
discussions and meetings
3. Mass media methods.
Individual methods
The purpose of making individual visits to fishermen includes:
giving information to a particular fisherman that suits his own individual
situation and problems; arousing interest in problems which the fisherman has
yet to recognise; and obtaining information from the fisherman about his own
problems and the local situation.
By making these visits, the extension worker gains first-hand
knowledge of the actual problems encountered by the fishermen. He develops the
goodwill and confidence of the fishermen in himself and his recommendations.
Individual teaching on a one-to-one basis is most effective. However, these
types of visit require a great deal of time and the number of people who can be
reached through this method are few. The visits are, therefore, a costly method
of extension. Another disadvantage is that there will be a tendency for the
extension worker to visit the same fisherman time and time again after he has
built up a relationship with him. This will make problems of contact with the
community as a whole and may arouse jealousy and resentment amongst the other
fishermen who are not visited as regularly. It is important that a visit to an
individual fisherman should be planned beforehand. Some points worth noting are
as follows:
Plan the visit by:
(a) Making an appointment if possible.
(b) Deciding the purpose of the visit.
(c) Reviewing the record of previous visits.
(d) Checking any subject matter and information which is needed
by the fisherman that may have arisen from previous visits or may be likely to
arise during the planned visit.
(e) Scheduling visits to a number of different fishermen to save
on time and travel.
Whilst making the visit:
(a) Be punctual.
(b) Be friendly and greet the man with whom you are going to
talk openly with good manners.
(c) Find something to praise amongst the fisherman's activities.
This will give him confidence in you.
(d) Get the fisherman to talk about the problems which he has at
present.
(e) Get the fisherman to ask you for a solution to the problem
that he has outlined.
(f) Give alternative solutions and information so that the
fisherman could follow any one of the different alternatives.
(g) Demonstrate any skills that the fisherman may need to learn
to put into practice any of the new methods demonstrated.
(h) Encourage the fisherman to come to a decision as to which of
the alternative solutions may be the best for him.
(i) If the fisherman is able to read, give him essential
information about the methods in writing.
(j) Keep any information about the fisherman confidential,
especially his personal circumstances.
(k) Make notes for your own records of what has been achieved.
(1) Encourage the fisherman to participate in any group
extension activities.
Follow-up
Fill in a record card or book and send any literature requested
to the fisherman. If there is need for specialist help in any particular areas,
make arrangements for this to be provided.
Not only does the extension worker need to make visits to
individual fishermen but he will also have the fishermen call on him in his
office. These will be either personal visits or in the form of letters written
to him individually asking for information and advice. It is important that
these visits are treated with as much importance as the visits by the extension
worker to the fisherman. If the fisherman has a problem and has taken the
trouble to come to the extension worker's office, then he must feel that it is
an important problem and that the extension worker can help him.
Literate fishermen will write for information and these letters
must be answered punctually and with all the information that is required by the
fisherman. Letters should be clear and concise and should not be too long. Badly
written letters may destroy any confidence that the extension worker has built
up within the community. Although extension workers do not reach many people by
means of individual letters, they are important in gaining confidence and
creating a good impression of the extension service.
Group methods
Individual extension teaching methods as outlined above are
costly to undertake in terms of time and effort and only reach a limited number
of people. For these reasons, much extension teaching activity consists of group
methods. Group activities are organised for a variety of purposes. It may be to
give and receive information about a programme; to encourage and advise and
train leaders; to create awareness and interest in a new fishing practice; or to
focus attention on group problems and possible solutions. Very often, fishing
skills can be taught to a group at demonstrations or in a training centre. Group
methods can be divided into three broad types:
Extension meetings
Extension meetings are held to introduce and discuss a new idea
or practice and to obtain from the community their opinions as to whether it is
feasible within their own situation. If meetings are to be really effective,
then they must be planned carefully and good publicity given to the meeting so
that all the important people within the community are available. Meetings
should not be held unless they are absolutely necessary. Unnecessary meetings
are a waste of everyone's time and, if one meeting proves to be unnecessary,
then support for further meetings will not be forthcoming. For a check list of
the areas that must be considered in planning a meeting, one should refer to
'Guide to Extension Training' by D. J. Bradfield published by FAO.
Demonstration meetings
The main purpose of a 'result demonstration' is to prove to
fishermen that a new recommendation is practicable and increases either his
catching ability or the quality of his product. For example, if an extension
worker wishes to introduce a different sort of fishing gear to the community, he
may well make a demonstration comparing the traditional gear with the new
design. From this demonstration, it will be clear to the community that there
are advantages to the new gear proposed by the extension worker. It is important
that, as much as possible, the local community and fishermen should themselves
be involved in making the demonstration. For instance, they should be
responsible for actually setting a new net using their own boat etc. for that
purpose. If the extension worker was to do all the work himself, there would be
doubts amongst the community as to the validity of the results obtained. A
demonstration meeting must be planned very well in the beginning if it is to be
effective. Again reference to 'Guide to Extension Training' by Bradfield should
be made.
A second type of demonstration meeting is the 'method
demonstration'. The purpose of a method demonstration is to actually teach a
fisherman or a group of fishermen new skills rather than suggest why a new skill
might be worthwhile. A method demonstration is usually attended by fishermen who
have already accepted that the particular practice being demonstrated is of
benefit to them. They have been taught why it is of benefit by means of a
results demonstration or some other extension method. Now they want to know how
to carry it out themselves. These sorts of demonstrations must again be
carefully planned and carried out. It is important that, before the meeting, an
outline is made of the operation to be demonstrated in logical steps. Certain
points will need particular emphasis and these should be clearly defined during
planning. If possible, a fisherman himself should carry out the demonstration.
He will need to be rehearsed in advance to explain to the audience what he is
doing and why. Again a useful list of points to bear in mind when planning a
demonstration of this sort is in the book by Bradfield.
Field days
It is often useful for an extension worker to be able to
demonstrate a particular practice in the actual situation in which the fisherman
finds himself. With the co-operation of a local fisherman who has adopted a
particular method, a field visit to that fisherman will be useful for others in
the community. Field visits are usually organised for small groups. If too many
people are involved, they will not have enough time for discussion, questions,
and inspection. People invited to attend a field visit should usually be those
who will benefit most from the visit and who are likely to be most effective in
supporting the extension programme. Once again, field visits need very careful
planning. Another sort of visit can be arranged as a tour. A number of people
from the fishing community may be invited to visit various places of interest to
them so as to acquaint themselves with practices used by other fishermen.
Mass methods
Individual and group methods involve personal contact between
the extension worker and the fisherman as an individual or a member of a group.
In mass media methods, there will be no direct personal contact between
individuals but messages of importance to all fishermen can be imparted through
such media as the newspapers, radio, publications, agricultural exhibits etc. It
is found throughout the world that many fishermen have a radio and will listen
to it whilst sitting beneath a tree mending their nets or they will take a radio
with them when they go fishing. To impart information concerning new methods and
to give publicity for meetings, a radio may well be the most important means.
Mass media are not especially costly when it is remembered that, with little
effort and experience, an extension worker can reach very many people with his
message. Newspaper stories can also reach many people who might not otherwise
seek information from extension workers. However, it must be remembered that
many fishermen throughout the world are illiterate and would not be able to read
the message if it was printed in their local paper.
Reference
BRADFIELD, D. J. (1966) Guide to extension training. Rome: Food
and Agriculture Organization of the United
Nations.
