Directorate of Extension Education (DEE) has started functioning under Bihar Animal Sciences University, Patna since its inception in June 2017. It has been supervising directing and controlling all extension activities of the university. It has been formulating the plan of action for Extension Education activities and training programme for execution through Extension wings and Krishi Vigyan Kendra. Further it has also been engaged in reviewing and monitoring the extension activities being undertaken by the University. The Directorate also compiles the reports of extension wings and Krishi Vigyan Kendra in order to prepare each year annual report on extension activities of the University. Extension Education Council of the University has been conducting Extension Education Council meeting annually to approve the Extension Plan of the University.

It is pertinent to mention here that KVK, Jamui has been transferred by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) from the administrative control of NGO namely “Shram Bharti, Khadi Gram” to Bihar Animal Sciences University, Patna with effect from March 06, 2019 under ICAR-ATARI, Zone IV Patna. KVK, Jamui has started functioning under the administrative control of Directorate of Extension Education, Bihar Animal Sciences University(BASU), Patna. The BASU has been providing needed financial support and technological backstopping to KVK, Jamui. Our University has resolved to strengthen and develop KVK, Jamui as one of the best under ICAR-ATARI Zone IV, Patna.

Objectives of Directorate of Extension Education

• To help adoption of scientific practices for the upliftment of livestock sector as a whole and livestock farmer as an individuals.

The Directorate of Extension Education aims to bridge the gap between research and field application by promoting the adoption of scientifically validated technologies and best management practices among livestock farmers. Through a comprehensive extension system, the Directorate disseminates innovations related to animal breeding, nutrition, health care, housing, biosecurity, reproduction, fodder production, waste management, and climate-resilient livestock farming. The objective is to enhance productivity, improve animal welfare, reduce production costs, increase profitability, and ensure sustainable livestock development. By empowering individual livestock farmers with knowledge and skills, the Directorate contributes to strengthening the overall livestock sector, improving household income, ensuring nutritional security, and promoting rural prosperity.

• Educating the unemployed youth, farmers and women about profitable livestock farming through training programme viz. dairy, goatery, poultry, piggery, fisheries, etc.

The Directorate strives to create skilled human resources by organizing need-based training programmes in dairy farming, goat farming, sheep rearing, poultry production, pig farming, fisheries, fodder cultivation, value addition, and other livestock enterprises. These programmes focus on developing technical knowledge, entrepreneurial abilities, business management skills, and market awareness among participants. Special emphasis is placed on empowering rural youth and women by encouraging self-employment, promoting livestock-based entrepreneurship, and facilitating access to government schemes, institutional credit, and market opportunities. The ultimate objective is to generate sustainable livelihoods, reduce rural unemployment, enhance income generation, and promote inclusive socio-economic development.

• Refining of indigenous practices, on farm demonstration of latest recommendations/research.

Recognizing the value of traditional livestock management practices, the Directorate works towards documenting, scientifically validating, and refining indigenous technical knowledge (ITK) to improve its effectiveness and wider applicability. Simultaneously, the Directorate conducts on-farm demonstrations, frontline demonstrations, field trials, and participatory technology assessments to evaluate newly developed technologies under farmers’ conditions. These demonstrations provide practical evidence of the advantages of improved scientific recommendations over conventional practices, thereby increasing farmers’ confidence and accelerating technology adoption. Farmers’ feedback obtained during these activities also helps researchers further refine technologies to suit local socio-economic and agro-climatic conditions.

• To aware the masses about the latest and recommended scientific practices by publishing various literature like farm magazines, training manuals, booklets, books, pamphlets, folders etc. in the local language.

An important objective of the Directorate is to ensure that scientific information reaches every stakeholder in a simple, understandable, and accessible manner. The Directorate develops and publishes a wide range of extension literature, including farm magazines, technical bulletins, books, booklets, pamphlets, folders, newsletters, posters, success stories, and advisory materials in local languages. These publications are supplemented by digital communication tools such as websites, mobile applications, social media platforms, WhatsApp advisory services, podcasts, videos, radio talks, and television programmes. By utilizing both print and digital media, the Directorate promotes awareness of improved livestock technologies, disease prevention measures, seasonal advisories, government welfare schemes, and market opportunities, thereby strengthening informed decision-making and encouraging the widespread adoption of scientific livestock production practices.

Farmers’ Advisory Services

The Directorate of Extension Education, Bihar Animal Sciences University (BASU), Patna, serves as the primary institutional mechanism for delivering scientific, timely, and need-based advisory services to livestock farmers across Bihar. It acts as a vital link between the University’s research system and the farming community by translating scientific knowledge into practical recommendations that improve livestock productivity, animal health, farmers’ income, and rural livelihoods.

• The Directorate provides comprehensive advisory services covering all major livestock enterprises, including dairy, goat, sheep, pig, poultry, fisheries, and companion animals. Farmers receive expert guidance on breeding, feeding, housing, healthcare, vaccination, disease prevention, biosecurity, fodder production, nutrition, reproductive management, value addition, marketing, and climate-resilient livestock practices.
• To ensure wider outreach and timely dissemination of information, the Directorate adopts a multi-channel extension approach. Advisory services are delivered through farmers’ training programmes, field demonstrations, village outreach activities, exposure visits, mobile advisory services, helplines, WhatsApp groups, digital platforms, podcasts, video lectures, mobile applications, social media, radio, television, and other Information and Communication Technology (ICT)-based tools. These platforms enable farmers to access scientific recommendations and expert consultation irrespective of geographical barriers.
• The Directorate also functions as a knowledge resource centre by developing and disseminating extension literature, technical bulletins, advisories, audio-visual learning materials, and digital content in simple and farmer-friendly language. Special advisories are issued during disease outbreaks, natural disasters, extreme weather events, and other emergencies to minimize livestock losses and support rapid recovery.
• Recognizing the importance of local knowledge, the Directorate documents and validates scientifically sound Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) and promotes its integration with modern livestock technologies wherever appropriate. This ensures that advisory services remain locally relevant, economically viable, and socially acceptable.
• The Directorate works in close collaboration with line departments, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), veterinary institutions, producer organizations, cooperatives, self-help groups, NGOs, and private stakeholders to strengthen the last-mile delivery of advisory services and facilitate rapid technology adoption.
• Special emphasis is given to small and marginal farmers, women livestock keepers, rural youth, and aspiring entrepreneurs through targeted advisory programmes, skill development initiatives, and enterprise guidance. By promoting scientific decision-making, innovation, and continuous learning, the Directorate empowers farmers to improve productivity, profitability, and resilience.
• Through an integrated, technology-enabled, and farmer-centric advisory system, the Directorate of Extension Education contributes significantly to sustainable livestock development, improved animal welfare, enhanced farmers’ livelihoods, and the overall growth of the livestock sector in Bihar.

e-Kisan Samadhan : An innovative approach for 24X7 online farmers advisory

The Directorate of Extension Education, BASU, Patna has an official WhatsApp group for livestock and fisheries farmers of Bihar. This group is having more than 890 farmers and the number is increasing gradually. The key features of e-Kisan Samadhan is as below:

• An interactive Question & Answer (Q &A) Programme is organized through Zoom Meetings by the University scientists on the first and third Friday of every month.
• Guidance and mentoring are provided to rural youth for entrepreneurship development in livestock farming, dairy farming, poultry farming, and other allied animal husbandry enterprises.
• A dedicated WhatsApp Group provides 24×7 expert advisory services, enabling livestock farmers to receive prompt solutions to their queries from the University’s scientists.
• In addition to the Q&A sessions, expert talks on contemporary and emerging issues in animal husbandry and allied sectors are conducted to keep farmers updated with the latest scientific developments.
• Extension literature, technical advisories, and other farmer-friendly digital publications (soft copies) are shared periodically through the WhatsApp Group for the benefit of livestock farmers and other stakeholders.

Technology Transfer

The Bihar Animal Sciences University (BASU), Patna, through its Directorate of Extension Education and constituent colleges, is committed to bridging the gap between research and field application by transferring need-based, location-specific, and farmer-friendly technologies to livestock, poultry, dairy, and fisheries stakeholders across Bihar. The University promotes sustainable livestock development through capacity building, field demonstrations, participatory extension approaches, and strong linkages with line departments, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), research organizations, and farmer groups. The extension system ensures that scientific innovations developed by the University reach end users efficiently while simultaneously collecting farmers’ feedback for further refinement of technologies.

Major Transfer of Technology Activities

• Capacity building of livestock farmers, farm women, rural youth, entrepreneurs, veterinarians, and para-veterinary professionals through need-based training programmes.
• On-campus and off-campus demonstrations of improved livestock, dairy, poultry, goatery, and fisheries technologies.
• Organization of Animal Health Camps, Vaccination Camps, Infertility Camps, Disease Diagnostic Camps, and Farmer Awareness Programmes.
• Conduct of Farmers–Scientists Interaction Programmes, Kisan Gosthi, Kisan Choupal, and Field Days for participatory technology dissemination.
• Adoption of villages for integrated livestock development through model interventions and continuous technical support.
• Promotion of scientific backyard poultry, goat farming, dairy farming, aquaculture, fodder production, and integrated farming systems.
• Skill development and entrepreneurship promotion through certificate courses, vocational training, and customized programmes for self-employment.
• Dissemination of scientific information through extension publications, technical bulletins, booklets, pamphlets, radio talks, television programs, digital platforms, and e-learning modules.
• Establishment of effective feedback mechanisms to identify field problems and strengthen demand-driven research and technology refinement.
• Promotion of climate-resilient, economically viable, and sustainable livestock production technologies for enhancing farmers’ income and livelihood security.
• Collaboration with ICAR institutes, ATMA, BAMETI, DFARD, COMFED, and Krishi Vigyan Kendras for wider outreach.

 Capacity building and training

Capacity building and training are among the core mandates of the Directorate of Extension Education (DEE). The Directorate enhances the knowledge, technical skills, managerial abilities, and entrepreneurial competencies of farmers, livestock keepers, extension personnel, rural youth, women, and other stakeholders, enabling them to adopt scientific technologies and improve agricultural and livestock productivity.

1. Organization of Training Programmes

The Directorate organizes structured training programmes for:

• Farmers and livestock keepers
• Rural youth
• Women farmers and Self-Help Groups (SHGs)
• Extension personnel
• Veterinary officers and para-veterinary workers
• Entrepreneurs and start-ups

Training programmes are short-term, long-term, residential, online, or field-based depending on the target audience.

2. Skill Development

• Scientific crop and livestock production
• Dairy, goat, sheep, pig, poultry, and fisheries management
• Animal breeding, feeding, nutrition, and health care
• Disease prevention and biosecurity
• Artificial insemination and reproductive management
• Fodder production and conservation
• Farm mechanization
• Value addition and processing
• Digital agriculture and ICT applications

3. Development of Extension Literatures

The Directorate prepares and disseminates:

• Training manuals
• Technical bulletins
• Booklets and leaflets
• Audio-visual learning materials
• Videos and e-learning modules
• Mobile-based learning content

4. Digital Capacity Building

Modern extension increasingly relies on digital platforms. The Directorate:

• Conducts webinars and virtual training programmes
• Uses mobile applications and WhatsApp groups for advisory services
• Produces educational videos, podcasts, and online lectures
• Promotes digital literacy among farmers and extension personnel

Extension Outreach Programmes

Extension outreach programmes constitute one of the most important functions of the Directorate of Extension Education (DEE). These programmes are designed to extend the benefits of research, education, and innovation beyond the university campus to farmers, livestock keepers, entrepreneurs, extension personnel, and rural communities. The Directorate serves as a vital link between scientists and end users by ensuring that scientific knowledge and technologies are effectively communicated, demonstrated, and adopted at the grassroots level.

The Directorate regularly conducts extension outreach  programmes such as:

• Farmers’ meetings and awareness campaigns
• Animal Welfare & Heallth Camps
• Pashu Palak Samvad Kisan ke Dwar
• Field days and field visits
• Farmer–scientist interactions
• Kisan Melas and livestock exhibitions
• Extension campaigns in villages
• Exposure visits to successful farms
• Gyan Vahan Visits

These programmes provide opportunities for direct interaction between scientists and farmers, enabling the exchange of knowledge and practical solutions to field problems.

To help adoption of scientific practices for the upliftment of livestock sector as a whole and livestock farmer as an individuals.