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The present study was conducted in the state of Kerala to analyse the training needs of 100 trainees of five Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVK). The findings indicated that the packaging & marketing of mushroom and post harvest handling value addition were the most preferred training areas by the KVK trainees in mushroom production. In apiculture, honey extraction essential operations was perceived as the most needed area of training. In the area of value addition of fruits and vegetables, technology upgradation and packaging marketing techniques were the most preferred areas by the trainees. Relational analysis revealed that socio-economic variables like educational status and annual income, communication variables like extension contact and mass media exposure and entrepreneurial variables like entrepreneurial intention, entrepreneurial need, entrepreneurial capacity, innovativeness, achievement motivation, decision making ability, risk orientation, self confidence, cosmopoliteness and economic motivation were found positively and significantly correlated with training needs. The KVKs should take concrete efforts to organize need based entrepreneurship development training programmes to improve effectiveness.

Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVK) are one of the most vital establishment pledged for the dissemination of farm technology in the grass root level. The present study was conducted at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kollam, Kerala with 75 respondents, 15 each from five major vocational trainings organized at the KVK during the last five years. The trainees were personally interviewed with a well-structured and pre tested interview schedule. The present study on attitude of respondents revealed that more than half of the total beneficiaries have higher positive attitude towards the KVK.

Training need assessment has always been an important area in the designing the capacity development programme for the extensionists. It helps to make the extensionists updated, upgraded and competent in their field. Training need using Borich Need Assessment Model was carried out in the four zones of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVK) to assess the communication competencies of the extensionists. The zones of KVKs were selected using simple random sampling without replacement method. From each zone, 20 KVKs were selected randomly and 3 extensionists from each KVK were selected by using simple random sampling technique. The total sample size was 240. Mean weighted discrepancy score (MWDS) was used to study the training needs. The results of the study indicated that the highest level of training need was expressed in their ability to use computer (Internet) and PowerPoint presentation followed by their “ability to prepare visual aids to help deliver information” while lowest mean weighted discrepancy score was given to their ability in presenting the seminar. Kruskal wallis test was carried out to find the differences among the zones of KVK. Attention should be given to designing inservice training programmes which can adequately address the present training needs of the extensionists.