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Department of Agricultural Extension Education - College of Agriculture, Vellayani

Department of Agricultural Extension Education

College of Agriculture, Vellayani

The Department of Agricultural Extension Education, established in 1962 at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani, is a centre of excellence in teaching, research, and outreach. With innovative programmes, experiential learning, and international collaborations, the department equips students to lead agricultural development, rural innovation, and climate‑smart solutions.

Overview

The Department of Agricultural Extension Education at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani, established in 1962, serves as a hub of excellence in teaching, research, and outreach. Over six decades, the department has nurtured generations of extension professionals, combining academic rigour with field‑based experiential learning. Its programmes focus on building capacity for technology dissemination, rural development, livelihood security, and climate resilience. In 2023, the department was renamed from the Department of Agricultural Extension to the Department of Agricultural Extension Education to reflect its broadened academic and pedagogical vision.

Historical Background

Established in 1962 at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani, the Department of Agricultural Extension Education has a long tradition of responsive teaching, mentoring and community‑oriented research. The department coordinates the Rural Agricultural Work Experience (RAWE) programme for B.Sc. (Ag) students and has expanded its outreach and research portfolio through national and international collaborations.

Quick Facts

Item	Details
Year of establishment	1962
Year of inception	1962
Beginning of UG courses	1976
M.Sc. (Ag.) programme	1976
Ph.D. programme	—

Vision

To be a globally recognized centre of excellence in agricultural extension education, fostering innovation, inclusivity, and sustainable rural development through transformative teaching, research, and outreach.

Mission

Education: Equip students with cutting‑edge knowledge, entrepreneurial skills, and ethical leadership for careers in agriculture and allied sectors.
Research: Conduct socially relevant, interdisciplinary research addressing technology adoption, livelihood security, and climate resilience.
Outreach: Bridge science and practice through participatory extension, digital advisory services and capacity building for farming communities.

Mandate

Offer UG, PG, Ph.D. and diploma programmes (including PGDAEM) integrating theory, fieldwork and ICT tools.
Promote experiential learning through RAWE, ELP and internships with national and international partners.
Advance research on technology dissemination, gender‑inclusive extension, biodiversity conservation and entrepreneurship.
Coordinate Block‑Level Agricultural Knowledge Centres (BLAKC) and collaborate with agencies such as ICAR, NABARD, DAAD and CIMMYT.

Academic Programmes and Courses

Doctoral (Ph.D.) — Courses and Credits

Sl. No.	Catalogue No.	Title of Course	Credit Hours
1	EXT 601	Policy Engagement and Extension	2+1
2	EXT 602	Methodologies for Social and Behavioural Sciences	2+1
3	EXT 603	Technology Commercialization and Incubation	2+1
4	EXT 604	Educational Technology and Instructional Design	2+1
5	EXT 605	Risk Management and Climate Change Adaptation (Minor)	2+1
6	EXT 606	Livelihood Development (Minor)	1+1
7	EXT 607	Facilitation for People‑Centric Development (Minor)	2+1
8	EXT 691	Doctoral Seminar‑I	0+1
9	EXT 692	Doctoral Seminar‑II	0+1
10	EXT 699	Doctoral Research	0+75

Postgraduate (M.Sc. Ag.) — Courses and Credits

Sl. No.	Catalogue No.	Title of Course	Credit Hours
1	EXT 501	Extension Landscape	2+0
2	EXT 502	Applied Behaviour Change	2+1
3	EXT 503	Organisational Behaviour and Development	2+1
4	EXT 504	Research Methodology in Extension	2+1
5	EXT 505	Capacity Development	2+1
6	EXT 506	ICTs for Agricultural Extension & Advisory Services	2+1
7	EXT 507	Evaluation and Impact Assessment	2+1
8	EXT 591	Master's Seminar	0+1
9	EXT 599	Master's Research	0+30
10	EXT 508	Managing Extension Organisations (Minor)	2+1
11	EXT 509	Enabling Innovation (Minor)	1+1
12	EXT 510	Gender Mainstreaming (Minor)	2+1

Undergraduate (B.Sc. Hons. Ag.) — Courses and Credits

Sl. No.	Catalogue No.	Title of Course	Credit Hours
1	Extn 1101 / EXT 1102	Rural Sociology & Educational Psychology	2+0
2	Extn 1203 / EXT 2105	Fundamentals of Extension Education and Rural Development	2+1 / 1+1
3	Extn 2204 / EXT 1103	Communication Skills and Personality Development	1+1
4	Extn 3105	Entrepreneurship Development and Agricultural Extension Management	1+1
5	Elss 4202 / Student READY	Rural Awareness Work Experience Programme and Agro‑Industrial Attachment (RAWE & AIA)	0+20
6	—	Agricultural Information Support Services (Student READY)	0+10

2024 Admissions Onwards — Foundation & Skill Courses

Catalogue No.	Course Title	Credit Hours
EXT 1101	Deeksharambh (Induction cum Foundation Course)	0+2 (NG)
EXT 1102	Rural Sociology & Educational Psychology	2+0
EXT 1103	Communication Skills	1+1
EXT 1204	Personality Development	1+1
EXT 2105	Fundamentals of Extension Education	1+1
EXT 5201	Academic Writing & Functional Skill Development (SEC)	0+2
EXT 5202	Agricultural Extension Services and Entrepreneurship (SEC)	0+2

B.Tech Biotechnology — Extension Modules

Catalogue No.	Course Title	Credit Hours
BEXT 1101	Effective Communication and Personality Development	1+1
BEXT 1102	Human Ethics	1+0
BEXT 2203	Entrepreneurship Development and Business Management	1+1
EXT 2202	Human Ethics (2024 onwards)	1+0

Diploma Programmes

Programme	Catalogue No. / Course Title	Credit Hours
Diploma in Organic Agriculture	DOA 1323 — Communication and Extension Methods; DOA 1435 — Training	1+1; 0+4
PGDAEM	Post Graduate Diploma in Agricultural Extension Management	30 credit hours
PG Diploma in Horticultural Therapy	CHT 03 — Community Organization	2+1

Experiential Learning (RAWE, ELP & Internships)

Rural Awareness Work Experience (RAWE & AIA): The RAWE programme provides undergraduate students practical exposure to rural agriculture and agro‑industrial environments. It cultivates rural entrepreneurship awareness, real‑world problem solving, and decision‑making competence. (Credit load: 0+20).

Agricultural Information Support Services (Student READY): Practical training in ICTs for agriculture (Credit load: 0+10).

Experiential Learning Programme (ELP, 2019–2024): Notable internships and activities include: CIMMYT (Hyderabad), IIM Kozhikode, Aralam Farm (Kannur), Kerala Biodiversity Board, BAIF, MYKAS‑ITC, CRISP, CSBC‑Ashoka University; student videos, podcasts, surveys on tribal livelihoods, radio programmes, seminars and technical outreach to farmers and schools.

Deeksharambh (Student Induction Programme)

A structured 14‑day induction to welcome and orient new students to university life, academic expectations and the SAGE principles (Socialising, Associating, Governing, Experiencing).

Infrastructure, Laboratories and Facilities

The Department maintains modern facilities to support teaching, research and outreach. Key facilities (with in‑charge details) are:

AV Lab & Seminar Hall

Capacity: 100 seats
In‑charge: Dr. Sangeetha K G, Dr. Aparna Radhakrishnan
Facilities: High‑resolution projector, retractable screen, seating for lectures, workshops, guest talks and departmental events.

Video Conferencing Hall

Capacity: 40 seats
In‑charge: Dr. Archana R Sathyan
Facilities: HD projector, high‑speed Wi‑Fi, electronic podium, inverter backup, three tablets for collaboration, support for Zoom breakout rooms; ideal for hybrid workshops and international collaborations.

Department Library

In‑charge: Dr. Esakkimuthu M
Collection: Approximately 200 M.Sc./Ph.D. theses and a curated collection of around 100 reference books in extension and allied subjects.

UG Practical & Examination Hall

Capacity: 150 seats
In‑charge: Dr. Sangeetha K G, Dr. Aparna Radhakrishnan
Facilities: Spacious, ventilated seating, basic AV setup (projector & screen), used for semester exams, competitive tests and viva‑voce.

Activity‑cum‑Dining Hall

Capacity: 100 persons
In‑charge: Dr. Sangeetha K G, Dr. Aparna Radhakrishnan
Usage: Multipurpose venue for student activities, seminars, group learning and dining during events.

Agricultural Heritage & Technology Museum

Facility: 1800 sq.ft. display illustrating agricultural history, technology transitions and sustainable practices. Adjacent integrated lecture hall with 50‑seat capacity and AV facilities for interactive sessions.

Note: Rooftop Conference Hall and Media Lab are currently under repair (status as per document).

Social Innovation & Internship Facilitation Cell (SIIFC)

A student‑run cell that supports internship facilitation, CV preparation, soft‑skill development, networking and operates a departmental souvenir shop.

Language Lab — Oréll Talk

A state‑of‑the‑art offline digital language lab accommodating 20 students and one instructor to strengthen communication skills for extension professionals.

Student Achievements, Fellowships and Awards

Doctoral & Postgraduate Fellowships (selected)

Name	Fellowship	Amount / Details
Riza Mathew	UGC JRF	Rs. 37,000 + 18% HRA / month
Manju Prem S	UGC JRF	Rs. 37,000 + 18% HRA / month
Varna Murali	UGC‑NFOBC	Rs. 37,000 + 18% HRA / month
Atheena U P	UGC JRF	Rs. 37,000 + 18% HRA / month

Notable Student Awards

MANAGE Best PG Thesis Awards (2023; awards conferred 2024)
National Thesis Awards (SEE, 2025)
Multiple best paper/poster awards at national and international conferences

Prestigious Internships & Selected Student Achievements

MANAGE, Hyderabad (selected placements and internships)
CIMMYT India (paid internships)
ISRO workshop on Earth Observation (selected students)
National Young Professionals Development Programme at MANAGE
Fully funded research stays at international universities

Teachers

Teachers / Scientists Attached to the Department
Photo	Name
	Allan Thomas, Dr. Professor & Head, Agricultural Extension
	Aparna Radhakrishnan Assistant Professor
	Sangeetha, K.G., Dr Assistant Professor
	Archana Raghavan Sathyan, Dr. Assistant Professor
	Esakkimuthu M., Dr Assistant Professor

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