AN ANALYSIS OF CONSTRAINTS BEING FACED BY THE PUBLIC SECTOR EXTENSION FIELD STAFF IN THE PUNJAB, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Japan, France and many British colonies started extension services in 1879. In Pakistan, extension services came in progress under community development programs. This study was designed to analyze the constraints faced by the agricultural extension staff regarding rural development. The main objective of this study was to explore the ground realities behind in effectiveness of extension workers. Extension services are provided to farmers, instead of preferring the size of their farm land. The study revealed that extension workers faced several challenges but the financial issue (60%) is most salient problem. About (98.9%) extension field staff forced to do non-professional duties. The bureaucracy uses extension workers for their own purposes that divert the direction of their original work. About (34.4%) of bureaucracy effect the working efficiency of extension field staff. The majority of the extension workers reported negative feedback regarding ICT’s. Policy problem in agriculture also affect the working efficiency of extension workers. Inadequate staff is one of the most salient constraints faced by extension field staff. Agriculture officers (100%)reported that they had no proper transport. We should also train the extension field staff for the farmer’s behavioral and psychological study. For the efficient performance of extension field staff we should develop good agricultural policy and modern technology.