An examination of procedures for educational needs assessment of farmer education programs in the Department of Animal Production and Health in Sri Lanka reveals a lack of participation by adult learners in making decisions about needs, and is characterised by an experts' judgment approach. This study aims to examine the appropriateness of the Participatory Research approach for educational needs assessment in these farmer programs, and attempts to find a suitable way to implement it. The study found that the whole livestock extension system follows a "top-down" approach, and the existing farmers' educational needs assessment procedure of the Department of Animal Production and Health is not in accordance with adult education principles. Livestock educational programs which are conducted without the contribution of farmers' ideas to educational program planning, do not contribute to improving farmers' income and living standards.