A study on training need assessment among farmers

Introduction

Training is an indispensible instrument for HRD at any level and cannot be ignored. First and
foremost activity for planning a good training programme is to assess the training needs. Need
assessment helps to identify the present problems and future challenges to meet through
training and development (Archana, 2013) [1]. In order to make any training meaningful and
effective, it is imperative on the part of the training organizers to identify the training need of
the farmers based on which a suitable training module can be developed so that the appropriate
training is given to the right people, in the right form, at the right time so that the degree of
productivity and profitability can be achieved. Mitchell (1993) described need analysis as an
examination of the existing need for training within an organization. It identifies areas or
programmes within an organization where training should be applied. In India for agrarain
community Krishi Vigyan Kendra’s (KVKs), Extension Education Institutes (EEIs) and
farmers Training centre’s impart need based, skill oriented vocational training programme’s
to the them. These institutions should take into consideration of the training needs of the
farmers, farm women and rural youth so that they may acquire the relevant Knowledge and
skill in the new techniques and the same may be imparted to the farmers and they can also
upgrade the existing knowledge in better manner. Present study focused on assessing training
needs of farmers in Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu.

Materials and Methods

The present study was conducted during the year 2022-23 by the following Ex-Post-Facto
research design with objective of studying the training need assessment among the farmers of
Coimbatore district. The investigation was carried out in Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu
was purposively selected.

Results and Discussion

From Table 1 it can be inferred that majority (82.00%) of the farmers were in need of training
 on Crop production indicated as rank 1, Plant protection as rank II, horticulture as rank III,
home science as rank IV, Livestock production as rank V, Floriculture rank VI, Poultry
management as rank VII, sericulture as rank VIII, Mushroom cultivation as rank IX and
apiculture as rank X.
Table 1: Training needs of farmers for various enterprises (n – 120)

S. No Name of enterprises Training need mean score Rank

1 Crop production 82 I
2 Plant protection 80 II
3 Horticulture 75 III
4 Home science 72 IV
5 Livestock Production 65 V
6 Flower cultivation 61 VI
7 Poultry management 55 VII
8 Sericulture 54 VIII
9 Mushroom cultivation 50 IX
10 Apiculture 42 X

The plausible reasons for the above trend might be due to the fact that the majority of the farmers
were in need of Knowledge and source of improved and High yielding varieties of Cotton,
paddy, Onion, Tomato, Chili followed by management of problematic soils, Integrated farming
system, Soil- Water samples collection, and organic farming aspects.
Table 2: Training needs of farmers about different crop
management practices
S. No. Crop Production Training need mean score Rank
Knowledge and source of improved and High yielding
1 84 I
varieties of Cotton, paddy, Onion, Tomato, Chilli
2 Management of problematic soils 79 II
3 Integrated farming system 75 III
4 Soil – Water samples collection 74 IV
5 Organic farming aspects 72 V
6 Crop diversification 70 VI
7 Soil test based fertilizer application 68 VII
8 Nutrient deficiency - management 67 VIII
9 Reclamation of problematic soils 66 IX
10 Integrated fertilizer management 64 X
11 Resource conservation technologies 63 XI

From Table 2 it can be inferred that among crop production aspects majority of the farmers
(84. 00%), were in need of training on Knowledge and source of improved and High yielding
varieties of Cotton, paddy, Onion, Tomato, Chilli ranked 1, followed by Management of
problematic soils(79.00%), Integrated farming system (75.00%), Soil –
Water samples collection (74.00%), Organic farming aspects (72.00%), Crop diversification
(70.00%), Soil test based fertilizer application (68.00%), Nutrient deficiency – management
(67.00%), Reclamation of problematic soils (66.00%), Integrated fertilizer management
(64.00%) and Resource conservation technologies (63.00%).

Table 3: Training needs of farmers about in plant protection

S. No. Plant Protection Training need mean score Rank
1 Boll worm management in cotton 89 I
2 Virus management in Chilli 80 II
3 Seed treatment 69 III
4 Integrated pest and disease management 67 IV
5 Bio control agents 66 V
6 Integrated cop management 56 VI
7 Sucking pest complex management 50 VII

From Table 3 it can be inferred that among crop protection aspects majority of the farmers
were in need of training on Boll worm management in cotton (89. 00%) as ranked 1, followed
by Virus management in Chilli (8000%), Seed treatment (69. 00%), integrated pest and disease
management (67. 00%), Bio control agents (66. 00%), Integrated cop management (56. 00%)
and Sucking pest complex management. (50.00%).

The plausible reason might be that cotton is the predominant crop in Coimbatore district with
more than 1.46 lakh ha (Source: Season and Crop Coverage Report, 2017) [4]. For the past 2
years cotton is severely infested with pink boll worm resulting in drastic reduction of yields
from 16 quintals per ha to 6 quintals per ha (Source: Times of India, Feb, 2018). Chilli is one
of the major crop in the Coimbatore district as crop is infested with Gemini virus for the past
few years so, majority of the farmers needed training on viral management in chilli.

Conclusion
Based on findings training programmes have to be planned well by the training institutes like
Krishi Vigyan Kendra’s (KVKs) and Extension Education Institutes (EEIs) which impart need
based, skill oriented, location specific, target and result oriented training programmes to the
farmers. These institutions should take into consideration of the training needs of the farmers,
farm women and rural youth so that they may acquire the relevant Knowledge and skill in the
new techniques and the same may be imparted to the farmers and they can also upgrade the
existing knowledge in better manner. Moreover farmers are not fully aware of appropriate
farming techniques, management skills, and relevant programmes available by government
services. So training needs plays a very important role in transforming the lives of farming
community.
References
1. Archana. Training Need Analysis of Agricultural Officers and Agricultural Extension
Officers. Global Journal for Research Analysis. 2013; 2(1):14-17.
2. Krishna Priya N, Sivanarayana G. Review on Training Need Analysis of Agricultural
Officers and Agricultural Extension Officers. Global Journal for Research Analysis. 2013;
2(9):1-3.
3. Mitchell. Complete Guide to training needs analysis. OF publishing house. New Delhi,
2013.
4. Season and Crop Coverage Report. Government of Andhra Pradesh, 2017.