Effectiveness of Training on Improved Sorghum Production Technologies, Value-Addition and Sweet Sorghum Perspectives

Rajendra Rambhau Chapke

doi:10.11648/j.aff.20190802.12

Rajendra Rambhau Chapke

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.11648/j.aff.20190802.12

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Abstract

Training is an integral part of agricultural development process. The study was aimed to assess effectiveness of training which was imparted to improve competency of extension functionaries with latest knowledge and skills about latest sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) production technologies. In this study descriptive, correlation, regression and t-test were used and all the extension officials participated in the training was included as population (N=36). Data were collected before and after the training course through direct interview and group discussions with help of experts-tested questionnaires. Results revealed that the participants’ training needs were more of commercial-oriented like, value-addition, sweet sorghum, sorghum in rice-fallows and market-led extension. The results of Pearson’s correlation coefficient showed that there was positive significant relation between job experience, trainings exposure to the trainees, level of satisfaction about the training, their age, education and their learning from this training. These variables appeared to be the best fit in the regression model (R2= 0.99075). Majority of them (75%) had moderate level of satisfaction regarding entire training course. More than half of them (53%) had gained the knowledge almost three times more (61-80 knowledge score range) than the pre-training knowledge level (11-40 knowledge score range). The t-test results showed that there was significant difference (at the 0.01 level).

Highlights

Agricultural-led development is cardinal to secure food and nutrition as well as generating economic growth
All the participants were working as extension functionaries as agricultural officers and were well qualified as they were selected for the job through public service competitive examination of respective states, all the 36 agriculture officers from agriculture departments of major sorghum growing states namely, Telangana (39%), Maharashtra (17%), Tamilnadu (17%), Madhya Pradesh (11%), Uttar Pradesh (11%) and Karnataka (5%) were selected as population of the study (N=36)
The knowledge and skill acquired from this course will enable them to disseminate latest knowledge on sorghum cultivation, introduction of commercialoriented aspects like, value-addition, sweet sorghum and sorghum in rice fallows in their respective areas

Summary

Introduction

Agricultural-led development is cardinal to secure food and nutrition as well as generating economic growth. Sorghum is potential crop to grow well in harsh environments unlike fine cereals, wheat and paddy It is an important staple food and, fodder for livestock population, especially in resource-poor and semiarid regions. The capacity building of the extension managers and field extension functionaries of the different sorghum growing states and agriculture as a whole, and to create self-employments is became prime important [14]. Their competency can be enhanced by improving skills, updating latest technical knowledge and changing their attitude so that they can deliver their services effectively. For better understanding of the process with latest techniques, training is one of the major tools [3], [15]

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