Assessment of training needs of farmers on integrated farming systems

The present study aimed to assess the training needs of farmers regarding Integrated Farming Systems (IFS) in the North Western Zone of Tamil Nadu. Utilizing an ex-post facto research design and a multistage sampling technique, the research involved the random selection of 16 villages from two chosen blocks across each of the four districts in the study area. A sample size of 160 respondents was achieved by selecting 10 farmers from each village. Data collection was facilitated through a well-structured interview schedule and a training need index specifically designed for this purpose. The findings indicate that the majority of respondents identified several key areas in which training is necessary: vermicomposting (51.25%), general aspects of IFS (48.75%), agriculture (43.75%), and animal husbandry (38.75%). Furthermore, the analysis revealed that a significant proportion of farmers (56.25%) exhibited a high level of training need, as evidenced by a mean score index of 73.07. In conclusion, the study highlights an urgent demand among farmers for information, skill acquisition, and knowledge enhancement related to IFS, with the aim of improving both productivity and profitability.