Competencies and Gap Analysis of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra Extensionists and Barriers in Acquiring ICT Based Competencies

Abstract

Agricultural extension services are under pressure to make greater contributions to agricultural development and progress. Agricultural extension services need human resources who arecompetent.As extensionists are aware of training and educational needs of their team members, it is very important to administer extension activities with competent extensionists. For effective and efficient extension, it is important to know thebarriers towards extension to deliver the required services to farmers in order to empower them. Competencies of extensionistsare vital for work as these are associated to their professional development and skills to communicate. Analysisof skill gap(s) is the key to update extensionists as pe rtheir capability in the field. In the present study, a skill gap analysis using 'Borich Need Assessment Model' was used for the extensionists of KVKs of selected districts of two states viz; of UP and Odisha. The total sample size was 200 for astructured interview schedule used to elicit information from the extensionists. A Mean Weighted Discrepancy Score (MWDS) was calculated to find the gap in skill. This study showed, that 'confidence to work without support and guidance' was of the highest level as a skill gap among extensionists, when new methods in extension work were to be introduced, while consideringpros and con of arguments put up to an extensionist, by a farmer. Lowest mean weighted discrepancy score was given to'Conducting survey in operational area, use of PRA tools and evaluating extension program'. Based on Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process/Method, a lack of upgradation of ICT equipment, emerged as the major institutional barrier. As far as professional barriers are concerned inadequate information about training and training institutes and inadequate funding on emerged as the key barriersto acquire required competencies. Updating skill of extensionists, based on gap(s), owing to the importance of confidence to work without support and guidance in order to deliver required extension information/support to farmers, is very important. As of recent emphasis being given to skill development at the national level, the extensionists must be upgraded in their ICT skill(s). Extensionists with the necessary skills in their job will lead to their better performance which will in turn result in enhanced empowerment of farmers.