Effectiveness of public agricultural extension services in Tripura state of North-East India

Abstract

This paper analyses the effectiveness of the public agricultural extension services of the department of agriculture in Tripura state. Extension effectiveness was measured in three levels (input, process and outcome) by using 20 indicators. Information on organizational variables was collected from all the four District Head Offices (Office of the Deputy Director of Agriculture) of the Department of Agriculture in Tripura state. A structured interview schedule was used to collect data from the randomly selected 80 clienteles (farmers) and 80 extension personnel. The result shows that the total expenditure intensity was 3831.13(USD 68.11)/ha/year and expenditure intensity on extension activity was 2260.46 (USD 40.18)/ha/year, the technical manpower: cultivator ratio was very high i.e. 1: 1218 and clientele contact intensity was only 1 hr. 45 min./clientele/year. Whereas, extension service commitment and client accountability of the extension personnel was also higher but organizational commitment, job satisfaction, job performance, job competence index of the extension personnel was low. All the clientele were willing to pay nominally for extension services and the overall clientele satisfaction was 72.45. Based on the results of the study it is recommended to increase the technical manpower in the department and also increase collaboration with Non-Government Organizations NGOs), Self Help Groups (SHGs) and private organizations for extension programme implementation.