Compact area group approach (CAGA)

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

INTRODUCTIONCompact Area Group Approach is a new farmer participatory extension approach, developed and field tested by Prof. K. Abdul Kareem, eminent agricultural extensionist of India. It is popularly known by its acronym, CAGA. 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 coconut mite by the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kannur under Kerala Agricultural University. CAGA can be replicated for solving similar problems in other areas. [cite news |title= Group action launched to evolve strategy against coconut mite |url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/02/01/stories/2006020100892100.htm |work=The Hindu |date=2006-02-01 |accessdate=2008-02-11 ] [cite web |url=http://keralabiodiversity.org/pdf/policy.pdf |title=Kerala State Organic Farming Policy, Strategy and Action Plan |accessdate=2008-02-11 |format=pdf |work=Kerala State Biodiversity Board ]

SALIENT FEATURES OF CAGA1 Legitimization by local / opinion leaders 5 Empowering farmers2 Application of the principle of rewards and incentives (strokes) 6 Formation of committees; division of tasks and responsibilities3 Awareness generation 7 Farmer to farmer motivation4 Promotes local leadership 8 Mobilises local resourcesKVK’s role: provides technical support, facilitator

APPLICABILITY OF CAGACAGA 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 Eg: Coconut Mite. Bud rot disease of Coconut; Foot rot of pepper• Adoption of soil and water conservation technologies under watershed development programmes • Environmental problems like pollution caused by plastic wastes

PROBLEMS SELECTED FOR TESTING CAGA Coconut mite being the 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 IMPLEMENTATION1. Selection of compact area in consultation with local leaders2. Legitimization3. Documentation of the bench mark through PRA4. Leaders’ meeting5. Joint meeting of farmers, leaders and climbers6. Training farmers and climbers7. Public meeting8. Committees, office bearers / volunteers9. Preparatory work10. 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.

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