Abstract

MASUKELA, P. M.; LUBBE, S.  and  PELSER, T. G.. An empirical investigation into in-service training at North West Provincial Department of Agriculture. S Afr. Jnl. Agric. Ext. [online]. 2013, vol.41, n.1, pp.86-93. ISSN 2413-3221.

Farmers' (emerging and commercial) results do not only reflect performance but also depict the quality of learning and teaching that they have received. However, the focus seems to be only on farmers' results, particularly emerging farmers results' (rural areas), without regard to other facets of the Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Environment which have a direct impact on the farmers' results. Amongst others, there are extension officers and in-service trainers who need to be taken into account to ascertain the quality of service that farmers receive. This study focuses on the provision of in-service training through the cascade model of training in the North West Provincial Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Environment (DACE). While their training approaches are varied and enjoyed by most extension officers, there are inconsistencies in terms of the evaluation of the in-service training sessions. The results show, both the in-service trainers and extension officers are satisfied with in-service training in the Provincial Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Environment. However, in-service training in general needs to be reviewed in order to maximize the implementation of effective skills development within of the department.

Keywords : Farmers; in-service training; North West Provincial Department of Agriculture; Conservation & Environment (DACE); extension officers; cascade model; skills development.

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