Knowledge Up-gradation of Extension Functionaries on Non Timber Forest Produce i.e. Lac via Model Training Course

Model Training Courses” (MTCs) scheme has been implemented since 1996 by Directorate of Extension, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India. Its major emphasis is demand driven capacity building of extension managers, marketing managers and extension functioning of State development department. These training programme are organized on priority areas of agriculture, horticulture and allied subjects. In the similar fashion a MTC was organized at ICAR-Indian Institute of Natural Resins and Gums (IINRG) Ranchi especially for the Extension functionaries of the Government. The investigation aimed to study the impact of model training course on lac production, processing, product development and value addition in term of knowledge level, level of satisfaction of trainees, usefulness of the topics covered and overall grading of training. The study was conducted at ICAR-IINRG Ranchi and all participants who attended Model Training Course 2014 were selected as respondents for this study. A questionnaire containing multiple choice questions on different aspect of Lac Production technology was given to the trainees before and after conduct of training. The knowledge level was obtained from the overall mean score of the respondents and based on the mean score, standard deviation was calculated. On the basis of overall mean score and standard deviation the knowledge level of the respondents were classified. Data was tabulated and analyzed. It was observed that a majority of participants were middle age group (35–45 years) and belonged to male gender. It was found that 37.05 percent, 22.22 per cent, 7.40 per cent and 33.33 per cent participants belonged to general caste, backward caste, scheduled caste and scheduled tribe respectively. Majority of the respondents i.e. 51.85 per cent were post graduate and above. It was found that 51.85 per cent belongs to small family. It was found that 44.44 per cent of the respondents had low work experience. Majority of the respondents i.e. 59.26 per cent had not participated in any training programme on lac. Majority of the respondents were having their family monthly income Rs 30, 001 and above. Majority of the respondents i.e. 51.85 per cent were not aware about social participation in any organization. It is evident from the study that knowledge level of trainees had increased significantly in all aspect of lac cultivation. The result implies that the trainees were mostly satisfied with the course content as well as the manner in which training was imparted. It can be said that this model training course included nearly all the topics required by the trainees and most of the trainees felt that facilities provided during training were very good.