Job satisfaction of fisheries extension professionals: An exploratory study in Tripura, North-east India

Abstract

Shortage in different cadres of Fisheries extension professionals in Tripura led the present
study to identify their perceived level of job satisfaction and also to probe into the constraints
faced by such professionals and put forth probable suggestions. The research methodology
premised on structured interview schedule, with factors of job satisfaction as well as a scale
with 20 statements, filled by respondents and those were rated in a five-point continuum.
Results revealed that 71.46% fisheries extension professionals confessed to “medium” level
of job satisfaction. Multiple stepwise logistic forward regressions made it clear that proximity
to job location, health status, service duration and caste were possible factors, which appear
to have significant influence over perceived job satisfaction. Weighted average scores of
different ‘organisational’ and ‘work environmental’ factors of job satisfaction were 2.61
and 2.89 respectively, indicating ‘medium’ level of satisfaction whereas, ‘job content’, ‘job
roles and responsibility’ and ‘personal factors’ of job satisfaction scored 3.32, 3.39 and 3.74
respectively, suggesting ‘high’ level of satisfaction. Values of Rank Based Quotient revealed
that financial crunch in the Fisheries Department (98.72), delayed sanction in procuring
essential official items (97.58), insufficient quality inputs and untimely supply to the fish
farmers (87.89) were the three major constraints associated with their job. Study suggests
that adequate budget allocation, timely recruitment of staff with proper job specification
and capacity building may significantly improve the level of job satisfaction for sustainable
growth of fisheries sector in the state.

Keywords:
Extension professionals, Fisheries, Job
satisfaction, Tripura