A STUDY ON ATTITUDE OF AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE EXTENSION FUNCTIONARIES TOWARDS TRAININGS CONDUCTED FOR FARMERS
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Date
2024-08-12
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UHF Nauni
Abstract
The study examined the attitude of agriculture and horticulture extension functionaries towards trainings conducted for farmers and the constraints they encounter in motivating farmers. A multistage random sampling technique was used to select 90 respondents which include SMS’s, ADO’s, HDO’s, AEO’s and HEO’s from various agriculture and horticulture departments in Himachal Pradesh. The Kirkpatrick model was employed to evaluate the attitudes of extension functionaries towards training, assessing its impact on four key levels: Reaction, Learning, Behavior and Results. The findings revealed a positive overall attitude towards training, with a mean weightage score of 4.00. Significant positive changes were also observed in learning and behavior. However, constraints such as workload, time constraints, and lack of effective feedback from the government hindered extension agents in capacity building of farmers. Respondents recognized the need to enhance their knowledge and skills in ICT tools and expressed the need for continued assistance and guidance after training. Regular check-ins, mentoring, and coaching were suggested to ensure confident and effective application of new skills and knowledge. The study's findings also highlight the importance of addressing the constraints faced by extension functionaries in motivating farmers. By providing continued support and guidance, extension agents can confidently apply their new skills and knowledge, leading to more effective capacity building of farmers. Additionally, the study emphasizes the need for effective feedback mechanisms from the government to support extension functionaries in their work.