Perceived skill gaps of fisheries extension officers vis-a-vis shrimp aquaculture

Efficient and effective fishery extension officers (FEO) are expected to keep themselves updated on the subject matter they deal and related aspects. A skill gap analysis was carried out with 33 important competencies required for the fisheries extension personnel on a dichotomous importance vs competence continuum. The results indicated that higher level of skill gaps were expressed in shrimp disease diagnosis and management, conducting farm demonstrations, preparation of extension aids using information communication technologies (ICT), monitoring of soil and water quality parameters and selection of quality shrimp seeds. The respondents were of the perception that research and extension linkage which is vital for capacity enhancement of extension personnel, technology refinement, dissemination and feedback is to be improved in fisheries sector. In the absence of an efficient mechanism to coordinate research and extension systems, the study suggested that the research institutions may develop appropriate capacity building modules by incorporating both technical and extension subjects for training the FEOs in all the maritime states so that location-specific technological issues could be focused. The study also recommended that ICT aided tools like expert systems may be developed and employed for enhancing the capacities of the fishery extension officers.