Compact area group approach

CAGA (Compact Area Group Approach) – A New Farmer Participatory Extension Approach to Mobilise Group Action Against Problems Like Coconut Mite

Compact Area Group Approach is a new farmer participatory agricultural extension approach, developed and field tested by Prof. K. Abdul Kareem, an agricultural extensionist of India. It is popularly known by its acronym, CAGA.

Introduction

CAGA promotes and sustains group action in a contiguous area for durable adoption of technologies. CAGA was successfully implemented in Pariyaram gramapanchayat limits in Taliparamba block for the control of eriophyid mite by the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kannur under Kerala Agricultural University.

CAGA can be replicated for solving similar problems in other areas.^[1][2]

Salient features of CAGA

1 Legitimization by local / opinion leaders

2 Application of the principle of rewards and incentives (strokes)

3 Awareness generation

4 Promotes local leadership

5 Empowering farmers

6 Formation of committees; division of tasks and responsibilities

7 Farmer to farmer motivation

8 Mobilises local resources

KVK’s role: provides technical support, facilitator

Applicability of CAGA

CAGA can be applied to solve problems of following nature:

• Incidence of pests and diseases of endemic nature in which individual adoption may not be effective E.g.: Coconut Mite. Bud rot disease of Coconut; Foot rot disease of black pepper • Adoption of soil and water conservation technologies under watershed development programmes • Environmental problems like pollution caused by plastic wastes

Problem selected for testing CAGA

Coconut mite being one of the prioritized problems of the state and demanding compact area approach it was selected for field testing CAGA.

There are proven technologies as per the package of practices of Kerala Agricultural University-both organic and inorganic- against the pest. However, mite continues to be a menace as individual adoption by few farmers here and there is ineffective as coconut is cultivated contiguously throughout the region.

Mode of implementation

1. Selection of compact area in consultation with local leaders

2. Legitimization

3. Documentation of the bench mark through PRA

4. Leaders’ meeting

5. Joint meeting of farmers, leaders and climbers

6. Training farmers and climbers

7. Public meeting

8. Committees, office bearers / volunteers

9. Preparatory work

10. Review meetings and follow up

The following committees of volunteers are to be formed to ensure the cooperation and participation of all villagers.

1.Motivation Committee

2. Farmers’ Research cum Pest Management Committee

3.Refreshment Committee

4. Publicity Committee 5.Monitoring Committee

Convenors, Joint Convenors and Members of each committees are to be selected and their roles and responsibilities clearly spelt out and given in black and white.

References

1. ^ "Group action launched to evolve strategy against coconut mite". The Hindu. 2006-02-01. http://www.hindu.com/2006/02/01/stories/2006020100892100.htm. Retrieved 2008-02-11. 
2. ^ "Kerala State Organic Farming Policy, Strategy and Action Plan" (pdf). Kerala State Biodiversity Board. http://keralabiodiversity.org/pdf/policy.pdf. Retrieved 2008-02-11. 

• Krishi Vigyan Kendra Kannur
• Kerala Agricultural University