Farmers’ preferences for privatization of agricultural extension services

A lot has been changed since green revolution, in terms of technology and its dissemination in Indian agriculture. Public extension system is being condemned for not able to deliver as per the belief of the people. Meanwhile, privatization has come up as an alternative of public extension system across the country. However, its acceptance among the farmers remained a subject of analysis. A study was thus conducted to determine the preferences of farmers towards various aspects of privatization of agricultural extension services in North Bengal. A multistage, purposive and random sampling method was followed in selecting the study area and the respondents of the study. Total 100 farmers were selected randomly from two districts namely Cooch Behar and Malda. Total four blocks, two from each district and one village from each block were selected randomly. Data was collected from farmers with the help of structured interview schedule through personal interview method. Farmers were asked about their preferences against various aspects of privatization of agricultural extension services and conclusion was drawn by using statistical tools like frequency, percentage, mean etc. It has been found that private agricultural extension interferences were more accepted for irrigation, post-harvest, marketing and credit related areas by the farmers in the study area. Privatization of agricultural extension services was more in demand when it comes to inputs supply like fertilizers, agro-chemicals, technological know-how, information kiosk and food processing among others. Large farmers, commercial crop growers and progressive famers were found to be the most preferred clientele group for privatized agricultural extension services. Consultancy firms, Agri business companies, Farmer association and NGO's like approaches of Private agriculture extension services were found to be well accepted by the selected farmers of the study area.