Effects of Training on Skill Development of Agricultural Extension Workers in Bangladesh: A Case Study in Four Upazilas (Sub-district) Under Kishoreganj District

Abstract

This study was conducted to identify the contributing Off-the-Job Trainings (Off-JT) and determinant On-the-Job Training (OJT) for developing Agricultural Extension Workers' (AEWs) extension skills. Data on AEWs' skill levels on selected four extension skill areas (namely, working with group, organizing and running a demonstration, assessing farmers' problems, and work planning), attendance of Off-JT, and OJT practices were collected from 90 AEWs using structured questionnaires. The mean scores of AEWs' extension skill levels on the four extension skill areas ranged from 60 to 67. Most of the Off-JTs significantly differed between the AEWs' group 1 (namely the low skill level group) and AEWs' group 2 (namely the high skill level group) in the areas of selected four extension skills. Except one Off-JT on "developing group dynamics" all the others Off-JTs were important contributing factors to the AEWs' skill on working with group. Less than half of the Off-JTs were important contributing factors to the AEWs' skill on organizing and running a demonstration, problem identification, and planning. On the other hand, almost all of the AEWs in group 2 were practiced OJT with intension to develop their extension skills. However, the OJT that practiced by the AEWs in group 1 was very much limited.