The Potential of Agricultural Promotion Officers to Promote and Develop Agriculture in the Eastern Region

Abstract

The objectives of this researcher were to 1) study the basic socio-economic conditions and characteristics of agricultural promotion officers, 2) analyze the potential of agricultural promotion officers in light of their competencies, 3) synthesize guidelines for the professional development of agricultural promotion officers,
4) develop a potential model for the professional development of agricultural promotion officials. The samples were 194 agricultural promotional officers, 9 model farmers, and 8 agricultural promotion experts. Data was collected by interview and questionnaire and was analyzed with descriptive statistics such as statistical comparison,
factor analysis and content analysis. The results showed that 1) most of the agricultural promotional officials were single females. They had graduated with bachelor’s degrees. Most were born in the eastern region. The officers worked under the district agricultural promotions office and held practitioner level positions. Their average monthly salary was 22,268 Baht with other additional average income of 2,168 Baht per month. The average debt of the officers was 8,188.13 Baht per month. Furthermore, the average working experience of the officers was 7.86 years. 2) The comparison of the current operating level of competence of the officers and the necessary or ideal level was significantly different (significance level of 0.05) in the areas of agricultural technology transfer, agricultural organization, community enterprise and network development. 3) The guidelines suggested by the research defined various features of the role of an agricultural promotion officer and covered the areas of knowledge development in plant production technology, law, and training. 4) A potential model for the professional development of agricultural promotion officers was developed using the approach of David C. McClelland and the two-factor theory of Herzberg. The model covers the domains of 4.1) self-concept 4.2) attitude 4.3) characteristics and 4.4) skills.