Administrative Factors Affecting Services of Agricultural Extension Agents in Malakand Division of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Abstract

Present study was conducted in the two purposely selected districts of Malakand division with the aim to identify administrative factors affecting agricultural extension agent services and extension agent’s perception about the departmental policy regarding different administrative factors in the extension department. Data on different aspect of administrative factors were collected through pre-tested structure questionnaire from 100% extension agents of the agriculture extension department of the two districts. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test. Main findings of the study revealed that 45% respondents were strongly agreed that the extension agents having large area of jurisdiction and verified by the Chi-square value. Lacking of departmental promotion was mentioned by majority (68%) respondents and their perception was the same in the two districts according to chi-square value. An overwhelming majority (90%) mentioned for lack of involvement in the department decision making. In the department 67% were satisfied about the present system of assessment. Effectiveness of organizational structure of the extension wing to some extent was reported by 40% respondents. Majority (82%) answered for no transfer in the last three years, while 18% answered for transfer and the reasons were nepotism, under rule and politics. For promotion in the department majority (78%) rejected the political pressure and 11% reported for demand of labor by the local political leader. Majority of the respondents answered for the cooperative behavior of the supervisors, colleagues and subordinate. The study findings as a whole concludes that in the area there were a lot of factors affecting the extension agent’s services, for agricultural development in the area. The study recommends the under control area of jurisdiction, services structure for the extension agents, involvement in department decision policy, improvement in the present structure of assessment of the extension wing and removal of nepotism and political pressure for efficient and sustainable production of agriculture in the country.