Comparison Between Job Performance and Job Description of Agricultural Extension Agents in the Upper North of Thailand

Abstract

The objectives of this research were: 1) to study working conditions of agricultural extension agents in the upper north of Thailand, 2) to study the performance of the agricultural extension agents in accordance with the work assigned in job description of the Department of Agricultural Extension, and 3) to study the problems and recommendations in the performance of agricultural extension agents. The researcher used survey research designs to conduct research. The sample for the study was 238 agricultural extension agents in upper northern Thailand. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results revealed that 52.1% of the agricultural extension agents worked in lowland and 60.5% responsible for 1 district. Most of them have field work experience from 1 to 5 years. Moreover, the agricultural extension agents are responsible for 501-1,000 households. It was found that the agricultural extension agents were working their task in high level (= 3.78) considering with job description such as analyze potential of agricultural and communal area; promote knowledge transfer in agricultural production; consultation and support farmer and communities to participate in the agricultural development plan, etc. From the study of agricultural extension agents opinions toward their job description, it was found that overall agricultural extension agents agreed ( = 3.92) with their job description. They agreed that the agency focus on job description, they understand the job description, they had ability to follow job description, the benefits of the job description, etc. This study found that agricultural extension officers had problems in getting more tasks from the request of cooperation from other agencies and they perform other tasks than delegated tasks. The agricultural extension officers suggested that the assignment should follow the job description and reduce the task from other agencies for agricultural extension officers to perform in effective way.