Training needs of agents of the Plant Protection Services Unit at the Department of Agricultural Extension in Thailand
| dc.contributor.author | Sakda Sinives | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-10-29T08:53:33Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-10-29T08:53:33Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 1988 | |
| dc.description.abstract | This study was undertaken primarily to identify the training needs of Plant Protection Service Unit (PPSU) agents in the Department of agricultural Extension of Thailand and to find out if this is associated with attitudes. A total of 155 respondents comprising of 25 chiefs and 130 agents from six regions of Thailand were selected using stratified random sampling. The data gathering device was a research developed questionnaire and interview schedule. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test, Pearson's product moment correlation and t-test. The results showed that the chiefs and agents had mean ages of 45.56 and 35.85 years respectively. Both groups consisted mostly of married males. The chiefs had higher educational attainments than the agents. The chiefs and agents had length of service in their present position equal to 9.64 and 9.13 years, respectively. The PPSU agents had extensive trainings in plant protection but not on extension methods. Both PPSU chiefs and agents perceived that there was much need for trainings in these areas. There was no significiantdifference in the training needs as perceived by the PPSU agents and chiefs. This was true for both training areas in plant protection subject matters and in extension methods. The PPSU chiefs and agents had positive attitudes towards the training needs of PPSU agents. They agreed that the PPSU agents needed trainings in their line of work. The attitudes of the PPSU chiefs and agents in Thailand toward the PPSU agents' training needs were not significantly different. A significant relationship exists between the attitudes of the PPSU agents and their perceived training needs in plant protection subject matters and in extension strategies. In the case of the PPSU chiefs, a significant relationship exists between their attitude and perceived training needs of PPSU agents in plant protection subject matters. However, on extension strategies insignificant results were found. This implies that PPSU chiefs with higher levels of perceptions on the agents' training needs in plant protection matters also had higher attitude levels on the same. This is not true, though, in the case of the agents' training needs in extension strategies. The respondents suggested that subject matters to be offered for training are modern extension strategies on micro organism control on plant protection, horticulture vertebrates, and field crop needs. It should include field trips and the like. Regarding the extent of adoption, only 25 percent had continuously adopted the cropping pattern technology. Extent of adoption was significantly related with some of the independent variables like household size, net return, savings, sufficiency of credit, labor category and the availability of inputs. Some of the problems perceived by the respondents were: (1) limited sources of information, 2) low net return, 3) small saving, 4) high cost of labor and inputs. Respondents suggested that 1) the number of extension officials should be increased so that their services are available when needed and strengthen the applied communication program more effectively, 2) government should provide the inputs in affordable price by subsidizing he cost of inputs, and 3) the credit should be included in the technological package with reduced interest rate. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://granarium.clsu.edu.ph/handle/123456789/913 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.relation.supervisor | ANSELMO D. LUPDAG | |
| dc.title | Training needs of agents of the Plant Protection Services Unit at the Department of Agricultural Extension in Thailand | |
| dc.type | Thesis |