FARMERS PERCEPTION OF EXTENSION METHODSUSED BY EXTENSION PERSONNEL FOR DISSEMINATION OF NEW AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGIES IN KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA: PAKISTAN

This research article is based on primary data collected through well designed and structured interview schedule for PhD dissertation. Agricultural extension services are mainly responsible to create awareness among farming communities and to help uplift the living standards of rural people through educational procedures. To determine the effectiveness of extension services and different extension methods used by extension personnel, the research study was conducted in 2011. The universe for this study was Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where 4 districts were randomly selected namely Bannu, Mansehra, Mardan and Swat, using multistage sampling technique. The total number of sample respondents was 240 i.e. 60 farmers from each district. The data, thus collected, were analyzed with the help of SPSS using descriptive statistics, Likert scale and logistic regression. The results of the study revealed that younger respondents were more critical about extension services as compared to old ones. Results further reveal that literate respondents perception about extension staff activities and extension methods were very clear. They showed their concern about poor extension services and emphasized to improve these. Vast majority of 138 sample respondents were having educational level from primary to intermediate while only 6 were graduate and above. Majority of the sample respondents had experience up to 40 years as against 6 with more than 40 years experience. Extension personnel contact with sample respondents was very poor as reported by 174 farmers. The data revealed that majority of sample respondents i.e. 151 perceived extension services as not effective. Regression analysis showed that contact with extension personnel influenced the effectiveness of extension services. The extension activities and methods used also remained dim and poor as reported by the respondents. The ranking of extension methods undertaken by extension personnel revealed that farm/home visit was perceived as very good and best method having rank ‘1’, followed by field days at ‘2’and demonstration plots at ‘3’ on the basis of their weighted score. It was concluded that respondents below 40 years were more responsive and alert. Majority of the sample respondents termed extension services as ineffective and the methods used for dissemination were also not effective. It is recommended that activities of extension personnel should be properly supervised for regular contact with the farmers.