Comparative Assessment of Profile Characteristics of Extension Personnel of Public and Private Extension System in Telangana State, India

Abstract

The study examined the profile characteristics of extension personnel working in the public and private extension systems of Telangana State, India. An ex post facto research design was adopted, and 120 respondents were selected, comprising 60 public and 60 private extension personnel. Data were collected using a structured interview schedule and analysed through descriptive statistical tools, including frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation. The findings showed that respondents in both systems were mainly from the middle-age group and were predominantly male. Most respondents reported moderate levels of training received, job perception, job involvement, job satisfaction, organisational climate, aspiration, risk orientation, scientific orientation, mass media exposure, achievement motivation and infrastructural facilities. Public extension personnel showed relatively higher job experience and job performance, but also reported higher job stress. In contrast, private extension personnel had more diverse educational backgrounds, comparatively lower job experience and moderate levels of innovativeness and job performance. The study indicates that both extension systems have a generally competent workforce; however, continued capacity building, improved organisational support, stress reduction measures and initiatives to strengthen innovativeness may improve extension service delivery. The findings provide a comparative understanding of human-resource characteristics across public and private extension systems in Telangana State and support evidence-based human-resource planning.