Training Need of Agricultural Input Dealers in Transfer of Agricultural Technology

In India, there are about 2.82 lakh practicing agri-input dealers, who are the prime source of farm information to the farming community. The first contact point for majority of farmers is the agri-input dealer. During purchasing different inputs required for farming operations, the farmer naturally tries to find out from the input dealer about the usage of inputs, both in terms of quality and quantity. However, most of these input dealers do not have formal agricultural education. If these input dealers can be shaped as para-extension professionals by providing requisite knowledge then they can professionalize extension services and contribute to bring a paradigm shift in Indian Agriculture. It is in this context, one-year diploma course entitled Diploma in Agricultural Extension Services for Input Dealers (DAESI) imparts relevant and location-specific agricultural education to equip input dealers with knowledge to transform them into paraextension professionals enabling them to address the day-to-day problems being faced by the farmers at field level. In rainfed faming state of Chhattisgarh, agro input dealers play vital role in farm production. Input dealers can contribute towards strengthening agriculture extension system through creation sound technological linkage with farmers. So, it is very essential to know the knowledge level of input dealers with modern crop production technologies including agro machinery. Present study was conducted during 2016-18 in Surguja district of Northern hill region of Chhattisgarh to prioritize need for training of agroinput dealers. Through personnel interview of 40 retailers, 47.5 % were young (36-45 yr), and 35 % were graduates. Training in computer and its application with record keeping software was another preferred area. For dealers the major problems faced is the lack of knowledge of new product (90 %), Lack of knowledge of maintenance of stock (87.5 %), Non availability of bank loan (82.5 %), fluctuation of selling season (80 %) followed by lack of capital and need based training (77.5 %).