A sustainable extension package for rural and urban communities: An undertaking in western Sri Lanka

The biggest challenge of agricultural extension in urban communities is how to reach the appropriate target group, because the majority of people are engaged in agricultural production as well as homestead development in a part-time or restricted-time basis, and have different interests. Therefore, an agricultural extension research package, initiated in late 1990, is being tested, with special reference to the horticultural interests of the population in the Western Province. It has three modules: first, dealing with rehabilitation of already existing fruit trees (rambutan, mango) for long-term economic benefits; second, strengthening the income-generating activities at the homestead level, namely leafy vegetable cultivation, value-added products from fruits and vegetables, cultivation of vegetables in pots and hanging baskets, in situ budding, and post-harvest management techniques in fruits, vegetables and flowers; third, the improvement of soil fertility and waste management—particularly soil conservation, compost making, and landscaping techniques. The package integrates traditional and modern extension methods, and at present is still undergoing the implementation process (currently 15% complete). Moreover, it includes a mechanism enabling the mixing of indigenous knowledge and exogenous knowledge by viewing the target group as the subject of the extension process.