FARMER PARTICIPATION: A SOFT POWER OF EXTENSION SERVICE

The Soft power is the ability to influence other behaviour or ability to shape the preferences of others in such a way that it leads to the achievement of the targeted purpose. In other words, soft power could be seen as the ability to use the power of attraction ability to influence the decision making process of the people. The participation is a process or organized efforts of voluntary involvement of people which influence them in development process, course of events, decisions making. Therefore, in the present study participation has been selected as an indicator of extension soft power and its relationship with agricultural extension services. Present study was conducted on the 220 respondents in two districts of Eastern Uttar Pradesh i.e., Varanasi and Mirzapur. Data were obtained on the basis of interview schedule. The findings of chi-square test indicated that there were no –significant association between farmer participation in public sector and private sector extension service in few services. It indicated that participation of farmer towards public and private extension services are same. However, a significant difference found in some services such as; expressing ideas, thought in the programme, taking Farmer Feedback at the end of programme and in suggesting feedback to be included in further programme. It has been clear from the data of significant association that private sector was found to be better than public sector