Extension Agents Perceptions Regarding Constraints to Adoption of Improved Agricultural Practices by Farmers

The present study was conducted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP)-Pakistan. Three districts were randomly selected from zone C i.e. Peshawar, Swabi and Mardan with the objective to investigate the information sources of extension agents, views of extension agents on adoption constraints and the extension methods used by them. All agricultural officers and 40% of field assistants were interviewed making a sample of 81 extension agents; 10 agricultural officers and 71 field assistants. The study results indicate that 77% field assistants were educated up to Matric with two years diploma while 10% agricultural officers had M.Sc. (Hons) degree with the majority of extension agents having job experience of more than 20 years. The main sources of information for the majority (79%) of extension agents were extension publications and training. Extension agents viewed that poverty (49%), expensive inputs (21%) and illiteracy (16%) were the main adoption constraints faced by farmers. Majority (86%) extension agents reported that the extension services are farmer friendly. The most appropriate teaching methods were group meetings (38%) and method demonstration (24%), while the most frequently used method for farmers contact was individual contact method (63%) as identified by extension agents. Non- significant association exist between diffusion of improved practices with adoption constraints and best teaching method used, while significant association exist with frequently used contact method. It is recommended that necessary inputs on subsidised rates should be provided to extension agents to make extension services more farmers friendly.