Perceived Entrepreneurial Training Needs Assessment of KVK Trainees in Sivaganga District, Tamil Nadu

Introduction

Training consists of well-organized opportunities for the participants to acquire necessary understanding and skill. Trainings organized by KVKs are helping to ameliorate the poor socio-economic conditions of the farmers, farm women and rural youths in rural India by raising the level of farm productivity, income and employment with the application of agricultural innovation generated at the research station (Dubey et al. 2008) [1] . Normally KVKs have conducted different types of trainings. The KVK's were originally designed to provide vocational training for rural youth to prepare them for self-employment. This study aims to set the stage for a deeper exploration into the specific entrepreneurial training needs of KVK trainees. It discusses the importance of identifying gaps between the existing skill sets and those required for entrepreneurial success. Through an understanding of these needs, KVKs can tailor their programs to equip trainees with the competencies necessary to navigate challenges and seize opportunities in the agricultural and allied sectors.

Methodology

There are 38 districts in Tamil Nadu. Each district represents one KVK. This study was conducted in Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu, because one of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra is functioning under the Director of Extension Education, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai.

Sakkottai block is a revenue block in the Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu. It has a total of twenty-six panchayat villages. Among the twenty-six villages five villages viz Senjai, Palathur, Mathur, Panagudi, Surakudi were selected based on number of trainees. Thirupatthur block comprises of ninety-eight villages in Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu. Among ninety-eight villages five villages viz Alangudi, Kamabur, Thekoor, Korati, and Meiyapatti were selected based on a number of trainees. The present study was conducted in the sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu state. A sample size of 120 farmers was selected for this study. A well-structured and pre-tested questionnaire was used to elicit data from the respondents. Appropriate statistical tools were used to analyze the data. The average mean score was 22.08 Hence it could be concluded that, Training program in mushroom production should combine technical cultivation skills with business and marketing acumen. This ensures that trainees not only learn how to grow mushrooms but also how to turn their production into a sustainable and profitable business venture.

Findings and Discussion

B. Training needs in Apiculture

Training in apiculture (Bee keeping) is essential for those who want to successfully manage bee colonies and produce honey and other bee products. The training should cover a wide range of technical managerial and marketing skills to help trainees to establish and run profitable bee keeping enterprises. Data collected on these aspects are presented in Table 2. The results indicated that among the ten different sub areas of training in apiculture Apiary management during different seasons and Bee keeping aspects was found to be most needed area of training as perceived as majority of the trainees (98.33 per cent) followed by Marketing and business of honey bees(83.33 per cent), Purity testing(75.00 per cent), Export of honey (66.66 per cent), Bee enemy and disease (58.33 per cent), Bee keeping equipment's & Honey extraction and essential operations (50.00 per cent).

The average mean score was 22.85

It was concluded that, Effective training in apiculture should integrate both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, equipping trainees to manage bee colonies efficiently while producing quality bee products. By addressing these training needs, trainees can successfully start and sustain their beekeeping businesses, contributing to income generation, agricultural productivity, and environmental sustainability.

C. Training needs in value addition

Training in value addition is essential for farmers, entrepreneurs and agricultural workers who wish to increase the profitability of their products by enhancing their quality, self-life and marketability. The collected data on training needs in value addition are presented and discussed here in

E. Training needs in poultry farming

Training needs in Poultry farming in crucial for those involved in the industry to improve productivity, ensure bird health and maximize profits. The data on the training needs of the trainees on poultry farming are given in Table 5. From the table it could be observed that majority of the trainees (95.00 per cent) needed training in the area of new breed (Giriraj/ Swarnadhara) followed by Azolla feeding (95.00 per cent), Scavenging habit (83.33 per cent), Balanced poultry feed (66.66 per cent). Half of the trainees perceived that they needed training in the area of Housing System & Balanced poultry feed (66.66 per cent), Vaccination(F1) (50.00 per cent) An equal proportion of the trainees 50 per cent perceived that they were needed training in the area of Vaccination(F1) & Lime stone grit feeding (50.00 per cent) and Housing System Balanced poultry feed www.extensionjournal.com (66.66 per cent).

The average mean score was 14.30 It was concluded that, Comprehensive training in poultry farming equips farmers with the knowledge and skills to manage their operations efficiently while maintaining high productivity and profitability. Addressing these training needs ensures that poultry farmers can overcome challenges, adopt best practices, and capitalize on market opportunities.

F. Training needs in fisheries

Training needs in fisheries management is essential for those involved in aquaculture and capture fisheries to enhance productivity, enhance sustainability and optimize returns. The date collected on training needs in Fisheries management are given Table 6. It was observed from the table that the most needed areas of training in fisheries were Preparation/construction of pond, Integrated fish cum Pig farming, Water quality management (95.00 per cent), followed by Selection of fish species, Balance feeding, Integrated fish cum agriculture and integrated fish cum Poultry farming (66.66 per cent). The average mean score was 24.29

Summary and conclusion

Majority of the respondents (95.00 per cent) perceived that packaging and marketing was perceived as most needed area of training in mushroom production, Training in apiculture and Apiary management during different seasons and Bee keeping aspects was found to be most needed area of training as perceived by majority of the trainees (98.33 per cent), Training needs of the KVK trainees in value addition was found that the most needed training needs were Quality control and management (95.00 per cent), Half of the respondents (65.00 per cent) perceived that most needed training areas in dairy cattle management was Prevention and Control of Mastitis of dairy cattle management. Majority of the respondents (95.00 per cent) are need of training in Azolla feeding in poultry. The most needed areas of training in fisheries were Preparation/construction of pond, Integrated fish cum Pig farming, Water quality management (95.00 per cent). It was concluded that, Effective training in fisheries covers both technical and business aspects, enabling fish farmers to enhance production, improve sustainability, and achieve profitability. Addressing these training needs will help fish farmers adopt best practices, overcome challenges, and tap into new opportunities in the growing fisheries sector.

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