Speaker
Description
Agricultural extension officers play a vital role in ensuring the effective delivery of agricultural knowledge, technologies, and advisory services to farming communities. This study examined the perspectives of extension officers on the structure, effectiveness, and challenges of agricultural extension service delivery by the Department of Agriculture in Dambulla area of Sri Lanka. A qualitative research approach was adopted to gain in-depth insights into institutional processes and field-level realities. Primary data were collected through semi-structured interviews with fifteen Agricultural Research and Production Assistants (ARPAs) and the Agricultural Instructor (AI) attached to the Agrarian Service Center, Dambulla. The collected data were analyzed using thematic analysis with the aid of NVivo software. The findings indicated that the agricultural extension system in Dambulla is institutionally well-structured, with clearly defined roles and responsibilities for extension officers. However, several operational constraints limit the effectiveness of service delivery. Key challenges identified include a shortage of extension staff, high farmer-to-officer ratios, limited time for regular field visits, and inadequate resources. Communication gaps between officers and farmers, delays in identifying field-level problems, and difficulties in providing timely follow up support further reduce service efficiency. Officers also highlighted behavioral and contextual barriers, such as resistance to new technologies among older farmers and limited access to digital communication tools in rural areas. Despite these challenges, extension officers emphasized their commitment to service delivery and noted that farmers who actively participate in training programs and maintain regular contact with extension personnel tend to benefit more from extension interventions. The study concluded that while the DOA’s extension service framework in the Dambulla area is organizationally sound, its effectiveness is constrained by human resource limitations, workload pressures, and communication barriers. Strengthening staffing capacity, improving field-level interaction, and enhancing communication mechanisms are essential to improve the responsiveness and effectiveness of agricultural extension services.
