Job satisfaction of extension and advisory service providers of Meghalaya

This study investigates the job satisfaction of Extension and Advisory Service Providers (EASPs) in Meghalaya, India, focusing on three critical dimensions: satisfaction with pay, promotion, benefits, and rewards; satisfaction with supervisors, co-workers, and clienteles; and satisfaction with operating conditions and the nature of work. Conducted across the Garo, Jaintia, and Khasi regions, the research involved 56 EASPs from various extension service organizations, including the Department of Agriculture, Department of Horticulture, Agricultural Technology Management Agency, and Krishi Vigyan Kendra. An ex post facto research design was employed, utilizing a structured interview schedule to gather data on job satisfaction. Descriptive statistics and the Friedman test were used to analyze the data. The results indicate that 37.50 per cent of EASPs reported medium job satisfaction, 32.14% reported low satisfaction, and 30.36% reported high satisfaction. Dimension-wise analysis revealed that satisfaction with supervisors, co-workers, and clienteles was the highest (mean index score = 69.08), reflecting favorable perceptions of interpersonal relationships and support. In contrast, satisfaction with pay, promotion, benefits, and rewards was the lowest (mean index score = 60.30), highlighting concerns over incentives, allowances, pay, and promotion and career progression. Satisfaction with operating conditions and the nature of work scored an intermediate value (mean index score = 63.06), indicating mixed feelings about work resources and job roles. The Friedman test confirmed significant differences in job satisfaction across these dimensions, with the highest satisfaction related to interpersonal aspects and the lowest related to incentives, allowances, pay, and promotion. Addressing these issues, improving resource availability, and increasing clerical support are critical to enhancing overall job satisfaction. Such improvements would likely boost the effectiveness of EASPs and contribute to better agricultural outcomes in Meghalaya by facilitating timely and efficient service delivery.