MSc

The study entitled “Work Life Quality and job satisfaction of agricultural
professionals in commercial banks of Kerala: a critical analysis” was conducted in
Thiruvananthapuram district. It included 90 agricultural professionals working in
commercial banks as respondents. The study was to determine the demographic
and Work Life Quality, types and nature of agricultural products available for
stake holders, job satisfaction and factors affecting job satisfaction and the
constraints faced by the respondents. Twelve independent variables selected
through judge’s ratings and two dependent variables namely Work Life Quality
and job satisfaction were the variables of the study.
On analysis of data it was found that majority (35.56%) of agricultural
professionals were young (<35 years) and 54.44 per cent of respondents had postgraduation
degree. Over 47 per cent earn a net monthly income that range from Rs
20,000 to Rs 40,000. Distribution of male and female was in 50:50 ratio and
majority of bank employees were having a minimum of five years of experience
in rural (63.33%), semi-urban (64.44%) and urban (64.44%). More than half the
respondent population were married (77.78%) and 41.11 per cent of respondents
were having one dependent. When 51.11 per cent respondents dwelling place is
less than 10 km from place of work, 14.44 per cent of the respondents had to
travel more than 30 km to work place. The results revealed that 43.33 %
agricultural professionals live in semi urban area and 42.22 % live in their own
houses. Also large majority (65.55%) of agri professionals in banks work for 10-
11 hours daily and 56.66 % of respondents feel they were over loaded with too
much work.
Agri gold loan was the most demanded agricultural product used by
farmers from fifty and over products available, as perceived by the bank officials.
The results of Work Life Quality states that all the six dimensions were
contributors to the Work Life Quality in banks as their mean score is above the
standard mean value (12.5). However, social integration (18.76) is the major
contributor.
The correlation study revealed that out of the twelve independent variables
four variables were significantly correlated to Work Life Quality of which three
variables age, monthly income and experience were positively correlated at 1%
level of significance and marital status is negatively correlated at 1% level of
significance with Work Life Quality. On analysing data out of twelve independent
variables three variables viz., age, monthly income, experience were significantly
and positively correlated at 1% level of significance, marital status and working
hours were negatively correlated at 5% level of significance with job satisfaction.
The result of attitude revealed that majority (75.56) of agricultural
professionals in banks fall under medium to high category of attitude towards
their job and was correlated positively and significantly with both Work Life
Quality and job satisfaction at 1% level of significance.
Out of the fifteen constraints identified as perceived by agricultural
professionals of bank the major constraint was the repayment issues in the bank
that have become a burden directly upon the officers responsibility and
accountability. The main suggestion as perceived by agricultural professionals
was that farmers must be encouraged to repay loans timely and be educated about
banking systems and schemes.
To conclude, it is quintessential to design policies at macro level in order
to enhance job satisfaction and Work Life Quality of agricultural professionals
that in turn supports and enables farmers to use the services provided by banks in
best possible way.