SUMMARY :Present investigation was carried out in six agro-climatic zones of Maharashtra viz., South Konkan Coastal, North Konkan Coastal, Western Ghat, Sub montane, Western Maharashtra Plain and Eastern Vidarbha. From each zone one district, from each district two blocks and from each block five villages were randomly selected. From each village 30 households (30 male and 30 female) were selected randomly. Hence, from each zone 150 households (150 male and 150 female = 300) were randomly selected. The total households selected from six zones were 900 and the total respondents selected were 1800. The results indicated that VLEW, NGO personnel and Bank personnel were known to rural men and women. Frequency of contact was meagre. Demonstration was found to be mostly preferred extension method. Shortage of time, personnel involved are men were the reasons given by the rural women and venue of the programme was not convenient and the programmes were organized without prior notice were the reasons given by the rural men for not availing extension services.