The study on perceived training needs of MPEOs revealed that majority of the respondents were in <35 years age group with diploma in agriculture education, belonged to backward class with 3 years Job experience, annual income <1.5 lakh, agricultural university scientists, AO/ADA as a sources of information, with rural background and had no membership in any organization. With regard to training exposure, it is evident that majority (63.79%) of the respondents attended 10-20 trainings of 2-3 days duration at sub-divisional level and preferred training venue at mandal headquarters and preferred training before crop season with 1-2 days training of twice in a year training interval.
Regarding perceived training needs, findings revealed that majority of the respondents (65.52%) had medium level of perceived training needs followed by low (17.24%) and high (17.24%) levels of perceived training needs respectively.Regarding constraints faced by the MPEOs, majority of the MPEOs faced the constraint of Lack of need based trainings (62.1%) and Lack of knowledge (48.28%). Further, the results of the study regarding suggestions of the MPEOs for better utilization of their services revealed that conduct exposure visits (65.
52%), followed by Job security and regularize the jobs (55.17%), Provide new tabs with internet facility (48.28%) and Provide more technical skills including ICT skills (44.83%).
key words: Training needs, profile, training exposure, constraints, suggestions.
The Government of A.P issued orders as per the G.O.Rt.No.43, Agri 7 Coop (Agri.II) dept, Dt.19-09-2014 for abolition of Adarsha Rythus and to replace with well organized agriculture extension network with qualified Multi-Purpose Extension System with one Multi-Purpose Extension Officer for every 1000 hacters cultivable area with a total of 6354 Multi-Purpose Extension Officers for net cropped area of 63.
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54 lakh hacters on contract basis under the control of ATMA in each district and also to form a Rythu Mithra Group for every 100 hacters to fulfill the following objectives:
As per G.O.Ms.No.222, Finance (HR. I) Department, dt.15-12-2014, the Finance Department have permitted this department to contract the services of six thousand three hundred and fifty four (6354) Multi-Purpose Extension Officers with a consolidated honorarium of Rs.8,000/- per month. As per G.O.RT.No. 693, dt. 16-12-2014, duties and responsibilities of MPEOs. MPEO should assist extension functionaries in communicating needy information to farming community with regard to different departmental schemes and latest/ improved technologies and in collection of soil samples and distribution of SHCs. MPEOs has to maintain the record of 1000 ha in his area with regard to farmer information, cropping pattern, availability of resources.MPEO should assist MAO in implementation of different departmental schemes like SVP, NFSM, Polambadi, NMOOP, ATMA and in identification of beneficiaries in implementation of different schemes. MPEO has to mobilize farmers for organizing training programmes being conducted by the FTC/KVK/MAO and also mobilize the farmers during the conduct of Grama Sabhas /Rythu Sadassus /Kisan Melas. They should actively participate in conduct of surveys with regards to natural calamities, pest outbreaks. MPEO has to maintain all the relevant literature as needed by the farming community from time to time and also update the information on village black boards. MPEOs have to actively involve in identification of non loanee / tenant farmers and educate them to avail crop insurance and crop loan facilities provided by the Govt. Keeping these points in mind the present study entitled “Perceived training needs of MPEOs in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh” was conducted with the following specificobjectives.
The study was conducted in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh purposively with ex-post facto research design duly following the proportionate random sampling. The study is based on the primary data, collected for the year 2018-19 and was taken up in four agricultural divisions viz., Krosuru, Bapatla, Ponnur and Mangalagiri.A mailed questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents. A total of 58 filled mailed questionnaires received from four agricultural divisions.The obtained data were analysed with the help of various statistical measures such as frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation were used and analysed and presented in tables to make the findings meaningful and easily understandable. The findings were suitably interpreted and necessary conclusions and interference were drawn.
Profile of the Respondents: The study concluded that majority of the respondents were in <35 years age group with diploma in agriculture education, belonged to backward class with 3 years of experience in job, annual income <1.5 lakh, agricultural university scientists, AO/ADA as a sources of information, with rural background and had no membership in any organization. These findings were in agreement with the results of Nguyen Cong Thanh and Baldeo Singh (2007) and G.P. Meena and G.S. Bangarva (2006). It is evident that majority (63.79%) of the respondents attended 10-20 trainings of 2-3 days duration at sub-divisional level. This may be because regular training programmes were organised by the department of Agriculture with the help of KVK and Agricultural Research Stations to update the knowledge of the MPEOs from time to time.
To make the training programmes effective and successful a need was felt to analyse the preferences of MPEOs with respect to training venue, suitable time to conduct training programme, training interval and training duration. It is evident from table 2 that majority of the MPEOs preferred training venue at mandal headquarters (74.14%), preferred training before crop season (37.93%) and during crop season (39.66%), twice in a year training interval (89.66%) and with duration of 1day (69.00%). Trainings were preferred at mandal head quarters because of their ease to participate. They have expressed the importance of organizing trainings before and during crop season as they can practically learn the pests, diseases and nutritional disorders and their management.
Perception of training needs: An overview of findings from table 3 revealed that majority of the respondents (65.52%) had medium level of perceived training needs followed by low (17.24%) and high (17.24%) levels of perceived training needs respectively.
Perceived training needs of MPEOs: On the basis of the results regarding perceived training needs of MPEOs (Table IV) concluded that majority of the MPEOs perceived training need of Integrated Pest Management (72.41%) followed by Integrated Disease Management (65.52%), Spraying techniques (62.1%), Information and Communication Technology (55.17%), Zero Budget Natural Farming (55.17%), Soil health & fertility management (50%), Vermicomposting (41.38%), Diagnostic & characteristic symptoms and damage caused by insect pests (41.38%), Integrated Nutrient Management (39.66%), Farm machinery and implements (31%), Identification of different pests & pesticides (31%), Trade name, chemical name and properties of pesticides (27.59%), Bio-fertilizers (27.59%), Soil test based fertilizer application (27.59%), Seed certification (24.14%), Calculation of fertilizer dose (24.14%), Fodder crops (20.69%), Govt. Laws and regulations (20.69%), Crop Production (20.69%), High yielding varieties in major crops (20.69%), New molecules of pesticides (12.79%), Fertilizer application methods(12.79%), Stored grain pest control (12.79%) and Fertigation (12.79%). These results were in agreement with the findings of Patil and Kokate (2011), Joeny Prasad (2001), Krishna Priya and Sivanarayana (2013) and Said Rafiq Hanif and Gokul Khanderaowaman (2015). The perceived training needs of the MPEOs clearly indicating that they have realized the importance of Integrated Management of Nutrients, Pests and Diseases as they were the key factors for reducing the cost of cultivation along with increased yields. Further the need of skills to identify pests, diseases and nutrient deficiency symptoms also indicated the importance of field diagnosis.
On the basis of the results from table V regarding constraints faced by the MPEOs concluded that majority of the MPEOs faced the constraints of Lack of need based trainings (62.1%), Lack of knowledge (48.28%), e-crop booking and non-cooperation of farmers and VRO must accompany (44.83%), Lack of guidance (41.38%), Less time more work and work stress (31%), Lack of speaking skills and time management (27.59%), Tabs not working properly, no TA, DA and conveyance problem (27.59%), Same work but salary different for MPEOs & AEOs (24.14%) and Not giving sufficient time to complete work given (20.69%). These results clearly emphasizing the importance of training need assessment to make the training programmes much more effective. Further over load of the work is the another factor hindering them to disseminate need based information to the farmers time to time.
It could be noticed from the table VI regarding suggestions of the MPEOs for better utilization of their services revealed that conduct exposure visits (65.52%) , followed by Job security and regularize the jobs (55.17%), Provide new tabs with internet facility (48.28%), Provide more technical skills including ICT skills (44.83%), Provide equal rights to AEOs & MPEOs (44.83%), Provide conveyance or TA, DA (41.38%), Low salary and no increment (41.38%), Need advanced training and knowledge on agriculture and allied subjects (41.38%), Need support from revenue department (37.93%), Utilize MPEOs only for extension field (27.59%), Timely supply of inputs (24.14%), Timely completion of meetings for better work (20.69%) and Conduct less number of meetings (20.69%). Exposure visits to various research stations, KVKs and providing them with required ICT tools may definitely update their knowledge.
The overall findings of the study revealed that majority of the respondents were in <35 years age group with diploma in agriculture education, belonged to backward class with 3 years of experience in job, annual income <1.5 lakh, agricultural university scientists, AO/ADA as a sources of information, with rural background and had no membership in any organization. With regard to training exposure, it is evident that majority (63.79%) of the respondents attended 10-20 trainings of 2-3 days duration at sub-divisional level and preferred training venue at mandal headquarters and preferred training before crop season with 1-2 days training of twice in a year training interval. Regarding perceived training needs, findings revealed that majority of the respondents (65.52%) had medium level of perceived training needs followed by low (17.24%) and high (17.24%) levels of perceived training needs respectively. These results help as a guide for preparation training modules for extension functionaries for the identified training areas and helps to the planners for proposing training programmes by Extension institutions in Guntur district.
Perceived training needs of MPEOs in Guntur district. (2021, Oct 31). Retrieved from http://envrexperts.com/free-essays/essay-about-perceived-training-needs-mpeos-guntur-district
