คุณสมบัติอันพึงประสงค์ของเจ้าหน้าที่ส่งเสริมการเกษตรจากทัศนะของเกษตรกรในโครงการเกษตรกรรมจอมทอง จังหวัดเชียงใหม่ / บุญธรรม มั่งทอง =Desirable characteristics of agricultural extension agents as viewed by agriculturists in Chom Thong agricultural project, Chiang Mai province / Boondham Mungthong
Statement of Problem It is known that at present our government is putting full effort to accelerate the national development with the special emphasis on rural development. The policy on rural development is two folds. One is the development directed to the total development in specific region and the other, the development implemented by the government agencies which has the direct responsibility on those activities. Even though the success of the program depends on countless factors, it might be acceptable that government officials whose duties concern with such projects play important part on the success and failure of rural development. To decrease the tendency for this failure, determination and selection on their qualification is highly important. As we frequently find, these qualifications are mostly determined by the responsible government officials without the concern from the target audience. This research project is intended to fill in such gap by searching for the feedback, the target audience’s needs on the characteristics of the agricultural extension agents. Since the nation-wide survey is impossible for thesis project, ChomThong Agricultural Project is purposively selected as an original study. Purpose of the Study 1. To find the desirable characteristics of agricultural extension agents as viewed by agriculturists. 2. To find the important level of desirable characteristics of agricultural extension agents viewed by agriculturists. 3. To find how the agriculturists understand and accept the meaning of each characteristic of agricultural extension agents. Hypothesis 1. Need for desirable characteristics of agricultural extension agents may differ by sexes. 2. Need for desirable characteristics of agricultural extension agents may differ by educational levels. 3. The important level of desirable characteristics of agricultural extension agents may differ by sexes. 4. The important level of desirable characteristics of agricultural extension agents may differ by educational levels 5. Need for desirable characteristics of agricultural extension agents may differ by former domiciles. 6. The important level of desirable characteristics of agricultural extension agents may differ by former domiciles. Procedures 1. Whole population was selected from the members of Chomthong Agricultural Project, Chiang Mai Province. 2. The field research was conducted through the questionnaires for finding out the need, important level and the understanding on characteristic meanings of agricultural extension agents. 3. The replied questionnaires were coded and statistically analysed through percentage and mean by SPSS Results The results of the study are as follows :- 1. The three highestly favoured characteristics are punctuality, activeness and expertness in agriculture. 2. The agriculturists refer male agricultural extension agent. 3. The most favourable range of age is 30-34 years. 4. Any style of dressing is favoured. 5. The agriculturists name the following qualities as the most important characteristics of the agricultural extension agent being punctual, willing to work and understand the need of the agriculturists. 6. The meanings of each characteristic as defined by the agriculturists are as follows :- 1) Mercy means help. 2) To be congenial with agriculturists means not be conceited. 3) Politeness means using sweet words. 4) Selfishlessness means to sacrifice for public. 5) Justice means fairness. 6) Forgiveness means not getting angry. 7) Hospitality means help. 8) Cheerfulness means smiling. 9) Socialbility means being able to get along with others. 10) Calmness means being thoughtful. 11) Being trained in agriculture means use to perform agricultural activities. 12) Patience means tolerance for hardship. 13) Having experience in agriculture means used to be trained in agriculture. 14) Having knowledge in agriculture means being able to give advice on agricultural matters. 15) Being skillful in agriculture means used to performed agricultural work. 16) Being appropriate to the position means full of knowledge and ability. 17) Intelligence means knowing the problems of agriculturists. 18) Forcefulness means patience. 19) Boldness for decision means confidence. 20) Being energetic for work means being diligent. 21) Being active in work means working quickly. 22) Being attentive to work means working with care. 23) Willing to work means working with diligence. 24) Understanding the need of agriculturists means knowing the need of agriculturists. 25) Being searchful for knowledge means searching for knowledge. 26) Knowing how to promote each agriculturist means knowing the geographical condition of the assigned area. 27) Being punctual means not missing the appointment. 28) Agreeable means sharing of the same idea. Hypothesis Testing According to the study, it can be concluded that all of the hypothesizes are accepted, except for the fifth hypothesis which two of its characteristics are rejected. The rejection includes the factor on the similarity of the attitude of the agriculturists from different domicile on agricultural experience and congenial characteristics.