Impact Assessment of Farmers’ Self-Efficacy on Successful Training: Evidence from Himachal Pradesh, India

Abstract

Agricultural trainings have been fixated on transfer of knowledge which although is imperative but have failed to acknowledge the role that humans play in a successful training. The present investigation was carried out to assess the dynamics of self-efficacy, a social cognitive factor with respect to successful farmer training. The research was undertaken in the state of Himachal Pradesh with a total of 333 farmers who had been a part of training facilitated by Extension Education. The data was collected using a questionnaire through telephonic as well as face to face interviews. The data collected was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences. The reliability was measured using Cronbach’s Alpha test. Statistical tools such as t-test, Correlation, Regression analysis and Sobel test was used to draw conclusion from the data. The results show that males have higher self-efficacy than females which determines their training experience. It was found that self-efficacy is positively correlated to learning and transfer of training of farmers to their farms. Regression analysis also supported the impact of self-efficacy on learning and extent of transfer. Finally, a mediating role of self-efficacy was also established between learning and transfer of training. The research findings presented in the paper holds relevance to a context wider than the research location of Himachal Pradesh where it was undertaken, and provides a new insight to the field of extension training. This research helps researchers and practitioners to view trainings from a different perspective that would ensures its success.