ADVANTAGES OF CYBER EXTENSION

• Saves money, time and effort: scientists will prepare electronic version of messages themselves. These versions don’t have to be printed and posted. This will save money and time. Cyber messages will be updated online and that saves time too. Cyber extension can provided more in-depth analysis and can also provide detailed on-farm research results to the curious users / farmers.
• Cuts steps from extension process: Cyber Extension will remove a number of steps altogether from the traditional extension process. In the context of Agriculture, the zonal workshops and training to subject matter specialists (SMS) can be eliminated altogether. The scientists can directly post the information on the Internet, which will be directly available to extension functionaries at district, sub division, block and village level. All the concerned will get the information immediately and queries / clarifications will also be addressed equally fast, without involving a chain of extension machinery. In the context of Rural Development the details of Central and State sponsored schemes can be directly communicated to the ultimate user/ beneficiary. The lists of Below Poverty Line (BPL) can be made available to all the agencies like Regional Rural Banks, DRDAs and list of beneficiaries under one programme can be made available to other implementing agencies, to avoid duplication of efforts in same direction.
• Information rich and interactive: It appeals to the curious extension workers and analytical farmers. It will allow them to search and locate the information they need quickly. The extension workers can talk to the concerned scientists for more information on the subject, wherever the scientists may be. The rural technologies can be made available on CD-ROMs for quicker dissemination.
• Offering instant international reach: Online networks have created an instant global village. Cyber extension will eliminate the time and distance barrier that get in the way of knowing the latest information on any particular problem from any part of the world. One can reach any university, National, state level training and research institutions and other research station and discuss his / her problems with the best scientists / experts in the field.
• Continuously available: One of the key attributes of an online information service is that it is available all the time, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Your cyber extension functionary doesn’t sleep; he doesn’t go on leave. If you have connectivity, you can get information, from wherever it is available.

LIMITATIONS OF CYBER EXTENSION

• Cyber extension is becoming an tool for development communication, however most rural   communities are not yet able to take advantage of this new tool due to illiteracy, lack of skills,  economic power.
• There will be both irrelevant and relevant messages Cyber extension is more expensive.
• It cut steps from extension process like training and zonal workshops.
•  Not all messages will be suitable to all farmers.