Vol. 12, Issue 4 (2023)

Author(s):
Neerja Patel, KS Bhargav, Nishith Gupta, Savita Kumari, Mahender Singh, Manish Kumar and AK Badaya

Abstract:
National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE) launched an innovative programme namely, “Diploma in Agricultural Extension Services for Input Dealers (DAESI)” to enhance the technical competency of input dealers at various states. Behind of this programme initiation the main reason was that majority of the input dealers do not have technical knowledge on agriculture and formal agricultural education. But these are a prime source of farm information to the farming community in India. Most of the farmers in our country seek out the farm advice from Input dealers (MANAGE, 2012). In order to build their technical competency in agriculture MANAGE has launched the DAESI programme. This programme had also conducted in Dewas district during the years of 2017-18 and 2018-19. A study was conducted to analyse the impact of DAESI Programme on trained input dealers of Dewas district. The significant findings of the study revealed that majority of the respondents have changed their approach in analysing the field problem after DAESI programme. They had expressed that they need Refresher Training programme. for updating their technical knowledge to sustain their business in future. Most of them are ready to pay for the refresher training. They felt that fluctuation of selling price of input due to seasonal demand, high cost of transportation, lack of need-based trainings are the major constraints faced by Agro-input dealers. The suggestions of respondents for improvement of DAESI programme with regard to duration, timings, number of field visits, study materials, methodology etc. were also assessed in present study.