Suggestions of agriculture assistants for improving agricultural extension services in Konkan region of Maharashtra

Introduction

Agriculture remains the backbone of the Indian economy, supporting the livelihoods of a majority of the rural population. In this context, agricultural extension occupies a position of critical importance, serving as a vital link between research institutions and the farming community. Extension services aim to disseminate scientific knowledge, improve farming practices, and enhance the socio-economic status of farmers through effective communication and capacity-building efforts. Among the various stakeholders in the extension system, Agriculture Assistants occupy a pivotal position as grassroots-level functionaries. They act as the primary interface between farmers and the agricultural development machinery, facilitating technology transfer, organizing demonstrations, conducting field visits, and providing advisory services. Their effectiveness directly influences the adoption of improved agricultural practices and the success of government schemes. However, despite their crucial role, Agriculture Assistants frequently encounter multiple constraints such as inadequate infrastructure, excessive administrative workload, lack of timely resources, and limited opportunities for professional development. These challenges adversely affect job performance and the overall efficiency of extension services. In many cases, the gap between policy formulation and field-level implementation arises due to insufficient consideration of the practical difficulties faced by these frontline workers. Understanding the suggestions of Agriculture Assistants is therefore essential for strengthening the extension delivery system. Their field-based experiences provide valuable insights into operational challenges and practical solutions that can enhance service effectiveness. Incorporating their suggestions into planning and policy formulation can lead to more responsive, need-based, and sustainable agricultural development strategies. In view of this, the present study systematically analyzes the suggestions of Agriculture Assistants to improve the functioning of agricultural extension services, particularly in the Konkan region of Maharashtra. The findings are expected to contribute to policy refinement, institutional strengthening, and improved service delivery in the agricultural sector.

Objective

To identify the suggestions given by Agriculture Assistants for improving extension services in the Konkan region of Maharashtra.

Materials and Methods

The present investigation was conducted in the Konkan region of Maharashtra, which constitutes a distinct coastal agro-ecological zone along the western seaboard of India. The region is broadly categorized into North and South Konkan based on its geographical and administrative divisions. For the purpose of this study, Raigad district was purposively selected to represent North Konkan, while Ratnagiri district was selected to represent South Konkan. This purposive selection was predicated on agro-ecological representativeness, administrative significance, and the relative concentration of agricultural extension personnel in these districts. Ratnagiri district is administratively organized into three revenue subdivisions -Ratnagiri, Chiplun, and Dapoli while Raigad district comprises four subdivisions: Mahad, Mangaon, Khopoli, and Alibag. To ensure comprehensive regional coverage and to minimize geographic bias, all subdivisions from both selected districts were included in the sampling framework, thereby encompassing the full administrative breadth of the study area. Agriculture Assistants with a minimum of two years of field experience were eligible for selection. From each tahsil, 10 Agricultural Assistants were selected using multi-stage sampling. A total of 24 tahsils were covered, yielding a final sample of 240 Agricultural Assistants. An ex-post facto research design was adopted for the study. Data were collected through structured personal interviews. The collected data were scored, tabulated, and analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and the Rank Based Quotient (RBQ) method.

Results and Discussion

The suggestions provided by the respondents for overcoming the constraints in the transfer of agricultural technology were systematically grouped into thematic categories using content analysis and prioritized using the Rank Based Quotient (RBQ) method along with frequency and percentage. The consolidated results are presented in Table 1. The findings are broadly consistent with those of Ingale (2014) [2] , Bipin Babu (2020) [1] , Amita Kshatriya (2022) [3] , and Nagiri (2022) [4] , who similarly documented inadequacies in infrastructure support, incentive structures, and organizational clarity as impediments to effective agricultural extension in comparable regional contexts.

Conclusion

The present study systematically captures the field-level perspective of Agriculture Assistants in the Konkan region, revealing a clear hierarchy of institutional improvements necessary to enhance extension effectiveness. Training and capacity building, mobility support, and performance-based incentives emerged as the three most critical areas requiring immediate policy attention. Organizational clarity, disaster preparedness, and logistical support complete a comprehensive reform agenda. Strengthening these dimensions will require coordinated action from agricultural universities, state departments, and district administrations. Sustained investment in frontline extension capacity -particularly in geographically challenging regions such as Konkan -is imperative to bridge the persistent gap between agricultural research and farmer practice. Future studies may explore the implementation barriers to these suggestions and assess the impact of targeted reforms on extension outcomes.

Acknowledgement

AcknowledgmentI would like to express my sincere gratitude towards my honorable research guide Dr. S. C. Warwadekar for his intellectual inspiration, valuable suggestions, constant guidance, cooperative attitude, and willing help throughout the course of investigation and preparation of the manuscript.

References

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