From Words to Trust: Building Connections with the Farming Community

Today, on 23rd September 2026, the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, DAV University, Jalandhar, organized an expert lecture on “How to Interact with Farmers: Effective Communication and Rapport Building.” The session was delivered by Dr. Lavleesh Garg, Extension Scientist, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana.

The lecture focused on the importance of effective communication, relationship building, and trust development in strengthening farmer–extension relationships. Dr. Garg emphasized the significance of communicating with farmers in their local language to facilitate better understanding, encourage participation, and establish a stronger rapport with the farming community.

He also highlighted the role of Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) techniques in understanding village communities, farmers’ perspectives, local conditions, and their attitudes towards the adoption of new agricultural technologies. The importance of demonstration-based extension approaches was also discussed, with emphasis on their role in enabling farmers to better understand and evaluate new technologies before adoption.

Drawing upon his practical field experience, Dr. Garg shared valuable insights into addressing communication barriers and handling challenging situations that students may encounter during their interactions with farmers.

The session was highly interactive and engaging, with students actively participating in the discussion and seeking guidance on various aspects of farmer interaction.

The lecture served as a valuable learning experience, reinforcing the idea that effective agricultural extension goes beyond the dissemination of technical information—it requires understanding farmers, listening to their concerns, communicating in a manner they relate to, and building mutual trust.