Extension mechanism of field functionaries to check occupational mobility of tribals from agriculture to nonagriculture sector in Mayurbhanj district of Odisha

There are various agencies working for the development of tribal people. In spite of these the tribals go for other vocations particularly to work as unskilled labourers. Enough technology in the field of agriculture has been developed which is not only profitable; but also stable, sustainable and equitable. The present study has been carried out with the objectives to study the mechanism of extension functionaries for checking the occupational mobility from the agriculture to non-agricultural activities of the tribal people. The study was conducted in Mayurbhanj district of Odisha purposefully in which the tribal occupy 58.72 % of the total population. Four blocks were selected randomly each one from four sub divisions. Forty five officials associated with the agriculture and allied sector at district, block and village level were randomly selected for study purpose. It is found that extension functionaries visit daily the tribal areas conducting group meetings followed by distribution of printed materials. Majority of field level staffs were engaged in input supply by farm and home visit activity. They opined infrastructure development was the mostly required followed by regular exposure and guidance for checking mobility.