Constraints Faced by Agricultural Technology Management Agency Extension Functionaries of Assam, India and Their Suggestions to Overcome Them

Abstract

Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) extension functionaries are authorized personnel, who help the farmers by transferring technology from research station to them. But during technology dissemination, they have to face a lot of difficulties. Therefore, the present study was conducted in Assam to enumerate the constraints faced by the functionaries and also tried to pool out the probable suggestions as opined by the respondents themselves. Personal interview method was used to collect the data from 120 respondents and appropriate statistical measures like frequency, percentage were applied to analyse the data. The study listed out the constraints encountered by the ATMA extension functionaries such as lack of training on new technologies, lack of knowledge on efficient and appropriate methodologies in extension activities, lack of cooperation from senior colleagues, delay in availability of salary, lack of orientation training for newly recruited staff, non-availability of agricultural inputs at an affordable price etc. The main suggestions given by them for improving their role performance were to provide training on new technologies, to prepare proper programme planning, to develop internal organizational structure and to dispense salary in time. Therefore, the concerned departments and organizations need to pay attention to their problems in order to solve these and make the ATMA extension functionaries more efficient.