Role of Agricultural Extension in Facilitating Biotechnology Adoption: A Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18098753Keywords:
Agricultural extension, Biotechnology adoption, Technology transfer, Participatory extension, Knowledge mediation, Farmer-centered innovationAbstract
Biotechnology has tremendous opportunities of improving the productivity, sustainability and resiliency in agriculture by coming up with advancements like the genetically modified crops, biofertilizers and tissue culture based planting material. Even though these biotechnological innovations have been demonstrated to have certain technical benefits, the adoption rate of these innovations in the farm level has not been evenly distributed; this is mainly because of knowledge gaps, perceptions of risks, sociocultural issues, uncertainty in the regulations and institutional laggards. Agricultural extension is an important solution to such challenges as it is a mediator between scientific innovation and the farming community. The review is a synthesis of the available literature in studying the changing role of agricultural extension in adoption of biotechnologies among farmers. The paper was composed using a narrative review approach and examines major conceptual frameworks upon which technology adoption can be based, areas of biotechnology applied in extension practise, and how informed and participatory adoption can be supported using extension approaches. It focuses on participatory extension approaches, efficient communication approaches and application of online tools to increase awareness, trust and capacity of the farmers. Major constraints restricting Biotechnology adoption are also brought out in the review, and an extension-led facilitation framework has been suggested that puts stress on knowledge mediation, farmer involvement, and feedback structures. The paper concludes that it is necessary to intensify agricultural extension systems to secure responsible, inclusive and contextual elements of biotechnology adoption to lead to sustainable agricultural growth.
References
Ainsworth, P., Bell, K., & Barker, A. (2024). An agent-based approach to QUICKly valuing the benefits of agricultural research and extension. Agricultural Systems, 216, 103887.
Barman, S., Das, S., & Bhattacharya, S. S. (2019). The prospects of bio-fertilizer technology for productive and sustainable agricultural growth. In New and future developments in microbial biotechnology and bioengineering (pp. 233-253). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-444-64191-5.00017-1
Chazhaeva, M. (2023). Main drivers and constraints for the development of the biotechnology industry. In BIO Web of Conferences (Vol. 76, p. 07005). EDP Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1051/bioconf/20237607005
Cherupelly, N. K. (2022). Alternative agricultural extension functionaries in India: Substantive role of (ICTs)-study of e-Choupal. Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, 14(3), 132-139. DOI: 10.5897/JAERD2021.1277
Davis, K. E., Bohn, A., Franzel, S., Blum, M. L., Rieckmann, U., Saravanan, R., ... & Ernst, N. (2018). What works in rural advisory services?.
Dey, S., Singh, P. K., & Mhaskar, M. D. (2023). Determinants of institutional agricultural credit access and its linkage with farmer satisfaction in India: a moderated-mediation analysis. Agricultural Finance Review, 83(2), 211-241.
Esquivel, M. M., Aboobucker, S. I., & Suza, W. P. (2023). The impact of ‘framing’in the adoption of GM crops. GM Crops & Food, 14(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1080/21645698.2023.2275723
Gava, O., Vanni, F., Schwarz, G., Guisepelli, E., Vincent, A., Prazan, J., ... & Povellato, A. (2025). Governance networks for agroecology transitions in rural Europe. Journal of Rural Studies, 114, 103482.
Gupta, D., & Modi, G. (2022). Utilizing Science and Technology in Agriculture to Ensure the Enhancement of Quality of Life Through Food Security, Improved Nutrition and Sustainable Livelihoods. Journal of Survey in Fisheries Sciences, 8(3), 446-450.
Hamriri, K., Atmani, M., Aziz, L., Abidar, A., Bouamri, R., & Kane, M. M. (2023). Impact of Innovation Platforms in Promoting the Dissemination of Biotechnological Innovation–Case of Compost in Date Palm in Southeastern Morocco. Journal of Ecological Engineering, 24(7).
Jarial, S., & Sachan, S. (2021). Digital agriculture through extension advisory services-is it gender-responsive? A review.
Khan, R. P., Gupta, S., Daum, T., Birner, R., & Ringler, C. (2025). Levelling the field: A review of the ICT revolution and agricultural extension in the Global South. Journal of International Development, 37(1), 1-21.
Kumar, K., Gambhir, G., Dass, A., Tripathi, A. K., Singh, A., Jha, A. K., ... & Rakshit, S. (2020). Genetically modified crops: current status and future prospects. Planta, 251(4), 91.
Kumari, K., Mirzakhani Nafchi, A., Mirzaee, S., & Abdalla, A. (2025). AI-driven future farming: achieving climate-smart and sustainable agriculture. AgriEngineering, 7(3), 89. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriengineering7030089
Möhring, N., Ba, M. N., Braga, A. R. C., Gaba, S., Gagic, V., Kudsk, P., ... & Finger, R. (2025). Expected effects of a global transformation of agricultural pest management. Nature Communications, 16(1), 10901.
Mounika, T., Hath, T. K., & Sahoo, S. K. Oviposition Behaviour of Pulse Beetle (Callosobruchus chinensis L.) on Different Stored Pulses. Legume Research-An International Journal, 1, 6. 10.18805/LR-5516.
Mounika, T., Vardhan, P. N. H., Hath, T. K., & Badavath, A. (2025). Bio-efficacy impact of botanical powders against Callosobruchus chinensis infesting different stored pulses: A review . Environment Conservation Journal, 26(1), 264–273. https://doi.org/10.36953/ECJ.28632892
Periginji, S. (2025). Transformative Power of Social Media in Agriculture. NG Agriculture Insights, 1(1), 17-21. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15465489
Periginji, S. K., Pulletikurthi, V., Kulkarni, S. R., Pradhan, S. K., & Sujohn, M. (2025). Agriculture and the Utilisation of Information and Communication Technology: A Bibliometric Review. NG Agricultural Sciences, 1(3), 33-45. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17748653
Pithiya, M. B., Sharma, S. K., Sharma, M., Sharma, M., & Kotwal, N. (2022). Advancements and challenges in plant tissue culture: a comprehensive overview. J Plant Biota, 1, 12-16. https://doi.org/10.51470/JPB.2022.1.1.12
Prajapati, C. S., Priya, N. K., Bishnoi, S., Vishwakarma, S. K., Buvaneswari, K., Shastri, S., ... & Jadhav, A. (2025). The role of participatory approaches in modern agricultural extension: bridging knowledge gaps for sustainable farming practices. Journal of Experimental Agriculture International, 47(2), 204-222. https://doi.org/10.9734/jeai/2025/v47i23281
Pulletikurthi, V., Vijay, M. S., & Periginji, S. K. (2025). Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Paving the Path to a Sustainable Future in India. NG Agriculture Insights, 1(3), 7-11. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17015781
Singh, H., Chopra, S., & Singh, G. (2022). Agronomic Practices Followed by Farmers in Order to Attain Maximum Yield. Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension, Economics and Sociology, 84-92. DOI: 10.9734/AJAEES/2022/v40i121768
Thuijsman, E. S., den Braber, H. J., Andersson, J. A., Descheemaeker, K., Baudron, F., López-Ridaura, S., ... & Giller, K. E. (2022). Indifferent to difference? Understanding the unequal impacts of farming technologies among smallholders. A review: Indifferent to difference? Understanding the unequal impacts of farming technologies among smallholders. A review. Agronomy for Sustainable Development, 42(3), 41. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13593-022-00768-6
Varsha, S. C., Jagalur, V. K., & Basavaraju, A. (2025). Evolution and Theories of Agricultural Extension Education. Transforming Agriculture through Modern Extension Education Techniques, 26.
