International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

author(s)
Manjunath, Mahesh, D Shashikalabai, SB Goudappa and K Amaresh Kumar

abstract
Agricultural extension organizations worldwide face challenges of professional competence among their employees. Training plays an important role in improving the knowledge, skill, attitude and other behavioral aspects of the extension workers. This study assessed the training needs of agricultural officers (AOs) working in Kalaburagi district of Kalyana Karnataka region during the year 2021-22. The results revealed that majority (53.33%) of respondents require training in medium extent and 23.33 percent require training in high and low extent equally on agricultural practices. Also finding on training needs in different subject viz., agronomy, soil science, plant protection, extension & communication revealed that most important training needs expressed by agricultural officers are identification and control of important pests and diseases of important crop of the area, integrated pest management of important crops, improved varieties of important crops, compost and vermi composting, seed treatment, soil & water samples collection, soil testing, nutrient deficiency symptom and management, post-harvest technology of different crops, biofertilizers production and use. With respect to extension and communication, organizing group discussion, meetings, field days, exhibition & demonstration, effective public speech making, preparation of audio-visual aids and mobile-based agricultural apps & different agricultural portals. Therefore training needs assessment should be done on a regular basis and agriculture department should organize need based training programmes by considering views and suggestions of agriculture officers for their effective job performance.