Abstract

The main objective of this research project is to identify the training needs of Agricultural Extension Officers in the Animal Husbandry Department of Malang Regency. The research questions are: (1) what are the present knowledge and skills of Agricultural Extension Officers in the Animal Husbandry Extension Department in Malang Regency, (2) what knowledge and skills are needed for Agricultural Extension Officers, and (3) what training materials are needed based on the needs assessment? To accurately identify the needs of these Agricultural Extension Officers, a training needs assessment is developed in the format of a semi-structured questionnaire which is completed by 24 of the 29 Agricultural Extension Officers in Malang Regency. Emerging from this study, four main suggestions can be outlined. Firstly, farming management and content delivery are two issues that should be included in the training manual; secondly, training programs development should be based on Agricultural Extension Officers’ needs, wants, aspirations, communication and media mastery, which are the important areas that are believed could bring out their capability. Finally, training programs have to meet the espoused high training needs found in the training needs assessment.

Key words: Present knowledge and skill, critical needs, future training needs.