About The Department Extension education is an educational outreach system providing practical knowledge and skills to individuals, particularly in rural and non-formal settings, to improve their livelihoods and quality of life. It focuses on fostering change in knowledge, attitudes, and skills, empowering people to solve their own problems through voluntary participation and a flexible approach tailored to community needs. Key objectives include increasing agricultural productivity, promoting better living standards, and developing community and leadership skills through a two-way exchange between experts and learners
The Department of Agricultural Extension Education is often described as the “bridge” between laboratory research and the farmer’s field. In an agriculture college, this department is unique because it combines social sciences with technical farming, focusing on communication, psychology, and rural sociology
1 Hands-on Field Experience (Student READY & RAWE) :
The crown jewel of this department is the Rural Agricultural Work Experience (RAWE) program.Village Stay:
Students live in rural communities to understand the ground reality of farming.Experiential Learning: You don’t just study theories; you help farmers solve real-time problems, such as pest outbreaks or soil health issues. Diagnostic Visits: Students accompany faculty to diagnose crop diseases in farmers’ fields, acting as “crop doctors.”
2. Communication & ICT Labs
Modern extension is no longer just about pamphlets; it’s about digital transformation :
Audio-Visual (AV) Labs: Learning to produce educational videos, podcasts, and digital content for farmers. Digital Extension: Using tools like AI-driven chatbots, drone data interpretation, and mobile apps to provide real-time weather and market alerts. Photography & Graphic Design: Training on how to create “scannable” and easy-to-understand posters and infographics for rural audiences.
3. Training & Capacity Building
The department acts as a training hub for students :
Kisan Melas (Farmer Fairs): Organizing large-scale exhibitions where the latest technologies are demonstrated to thousands of farmers.Skill Development: Specialized workshops on leadership, public speaking, and “Human Resource Development” (HRD) to prepare students for corporate and NGO roles. Innovation in Teaching Methods Because the goal is to “influence behavior,” the teaching methods are highly interactive:
4 Diffusion of Innovations :
Studying why some farmers adopt new seeds immediately while others wait years.
Psychological Analysis: Learning how to gauge farmer attitudes and motivations using behavioral science.
Simulated Extension: Practicing role-plays where students “sell” a new agricultural technology to a skeptical audience.
The Department of Extension Education is equipped with two state-of-the-art laboratories featuring advanced audio-visual facilities and equipment recommended by ICAR. The department regularly publishes informative leaflets, folders, and pamphlets to benefit the farming community, along with the official newsletter of the college for every six months. Additionally, the department offers a range of courses focused on enhancing students’ personality development and communication skills, preparing them for future leadership roles.
Dr. Suraj Manohar Gholape is an accomplished agricultural academician and researcher specializing in Agricultural Extension Education. He currently serves as an Assistant Professor & Head at Dr. D.Y. Patil College of Agriculture, Talsande, Kolhapur, where he leads key undergraduate coursework, coordinates extension activities, and shapes student development programs.
Dr. Gholape earned his Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees in Agriculture from the prestigious Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth (Dr. BSKKV), Dapoli. Demonstrating academic excellence throughout his scholastic journey, he secured a distinction in his doctoral studies and was honored with the competitive Doctoral Fellowship from the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), New Delhi. His core research expertise lies at the intersection of rural sociology, technology transfer, and gender mainstreaming, a focus highlighted by his doctoral dissertation, “Agro-Enterprises for Socio-Economic Development of Farm Women in Konkan Region of Maharashtra State.”
With nearly a decade of dedicated experience across various prominent agricultural institutions in Maharashtra—including C.S. College of Agriculture (Kirlos-Oros), Kai. Rajaram Marathe College of Agriculture (Phondaghat), and Sharad College of Agriculture (Jainapur)—Dr. Gholape has developed a well-rounded academic profile. Beyond his core teaching duties, he has successfully managed critical institutional responsibilities, including serving as a Rural Agricultural Work Experience (RAWE) Programme Coordinator & In charge of college Newsletter
An active contributor to the wider scientific community, Dr. Gholape has authored over 14 research papers in peer-reviewed national and international journals and holds lifetime memberships in prestigious scientific bodies, including Trends in Biosciences and Advances in Life Sciences. Driven by a strong belief in bridging the gap between scientific laboratories and actual fields, he has actively participated in advanced institutional training programs funded by the World Bank, MANAGE Hyderabad, and ICAR, and has published numerous popular agricultural advisory articles in local Marathi media to empower grassroots communities.
Assistant Professor | Dr. D.Y. Patil College of Agriculture, Talsande (June 2021 – Present)
Assistant Professor | Sharad College of Agriculture, Jainapur (February 2021 – June 2021)
Assistant Professor | Kai. Rajaram Marathe College of Agriculture, Phondaghat (May 2019 – February)
Assistant Professor | C.S. College of Agriculture, Kirlos-Oros (June 2016 – October 2016)
Research Paper Publication
International Conference/seminar attained
As per Vth Dean ICAR Committee Syllabus
As per VIth Dean ICAR Committee Syllabus
