International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

author(s)
Suryprakash Sahu, Hulas Pathak and Dr. Siya Ram

abstract
The present study was conducted to study the role and performance of input dealers in extension services and the farmer-dealer relationship from a farmer perspective. For this study, a survey was conducted at Chhattisgarh state Chhattisgarh plain region. The sample size was made up of 150 farm input dealers selected from four districts Raipur, Rajnandgaon. Raigarh and Dhamtari districts. The respondents were interviewed with the help of a specially designed schedule. In terms of business experience, majority of (30.00%) of DAESI dealers had 15-20 years of experience in this business, majority of Agri-input dealers covers 11 t0 20 villages (46.00%). In study found the farm input dealers have perceived high role in providing agro-advisory and transfer of technology. It was revealed that (72.00) per cent of the farm input dealers had 'high' role performance. The most performed roles were ‘Delivering and checking relevant and timely agro-advisory services to the farmers in the study area “ to the farmers’ followed by the roles “Assisting the Product Demonstration” to farmers, “Visiting the farmers field on fixed day”, “Ensuring quality, low cost agri-input to the farmers”, “Arranging for company employees to visit the field in order to get solution when he is unable to get satisfactory solution during field visits/training programs”, “ Dealers often promote new hybrid seeds, tools or chemical products and “Trying to get feedback from farmers regarding”. The results of the study helped establish that more than three-fifth of the farm input dealers have assessed High role in transfer of technology. Due to the agriculture input supply and service connection of farm input dealers, there is a greater trust level by the farmers to farm input dealers. Agri input dealers emerge as the first point of contact for farmers at the village level, due to their deep integration into the local advisory and input-supply systems.