ANALYSIS OF COMPETENCIES POSSESSED BY FIELD STAFF OF PRIVATE AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SYSTEM IN PUNJAB, PAKISTAN

A study was conducted in the Department of Agricultural Extension, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan during 2007. A sample of 408 farmers was selected randomly through multistage sampling from the Punjab. Data were collected through personal interviews following validated interview schedule. Competencies of extension field staff (EFS) of private agricultural extension system was measured on 4 points scale. On measuring scale, mean value of 1 represents great weakness, 2 represents weakness, 3 represents strength and 4 represents great strength of the system. Farmers rated overall competencies of EFS regarding knowledge, attitude and skills at the mean values of 2.09, 2.17 and 2.37 with standard deviations of 0.77, 0.84 and 0.88, respectively. This reflect the overall weaknesses of private extension system. Competency regarding attributes was rated at 2.70 with standard deviation 0.73, which reveals the trend toward strength of the system.