A STUDY ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SKILL TRAINING OF RURAL YOUTH (S.T.R.Y.) PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTED BY KVKs IN ASSAM
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Date
2019-07
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AAU, Jorhat
Abstract
Economic uplift of a nation depends not only on agriculture but also on the active participation of youths in agriculture. It is imperative to train and develop the youths skillfully that may help transform agriculture into a lucrative entrepreneurial activity. So, introduction of effective skill training programmes in agriculture and allied sectors is of immense necessity for paving the way to a bright future of the youths.
The study was conducted in five districts of Assam, viz., Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Udalguri, Baksa and Dima Hasao in the year 2019 with a view to study the effectiveness of Skill Training of Rural Youth (STRY) programme implemented by the KVKs of Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Udalguri, Baksa and Karbi Anglong respectively. The study was carried out with a total of 120 respondents by using purposive sampling technique and by taking 80 per cent of the trainees trained under each of the selected KVKs. The data were collected by means of personal interview schedule and through personal observation for critical skills. Statistical tools employed to analyze the data included frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, Pearson product moment correlation coefficient, ‘t’test and chi-square test.
The findings revealed that majority (49.17%) of the respondents belonged to the age group of 22 to 32 years, with majority (86.67%) being male and most of them (39.17%) had education up to higher secondary level. Majority (69.17%) of the respondents were marginal farmers and annual income for highest percentage of respondents (75%) ranged between Rs. 40,408.02 to Rs. 2,25,988.64. It was found that majority (62.50%, 60.83%, 46.67% and 65.83%) of the respondents had medium level of achievement motivation, learning motivation, motivation to transfer learning and self-efficacy respectively, and 44.17 per cent had high level of economic motivation. The study further revealed that majority (62.50%) of the trained youths had medium level of training effectiveness. A positive and significant relationship was found between effectiveness of trained youths and their education, annual income, operational land holding, achievement motivation, learning motivation, economic motivation, motivation to transfer learning and self-efficacy.
Guidelines and methodologies for training under STRY were suggested to be better specified. The guidelines and methodologies for training perceived as important by trainees included demonstration of skills, field visits, methods used for theory and practical sessions, and effective session plan for training sessions/skill teaching.
Problems/constraints faced by trainees during and after the training included lack of Government support and benefits, lack of proper study materials and inadequate hands-on training.
Suggestions expressed by trainees for improvement of training were provision of loans by Government to practice the skills, incorporation of more number of practical sessions and provision of raw materials needed to practice the skills acquired.
The findings revealed that although the STRY programme has been implemented successfully by the concerned KVKs in Assam, there is ample scope to improve the STRY programme in the subsequent phases for the benefit of the rural youths by considering the suggestions given by the trainees.