Investigation of East Azerbaijan Researchers and Extension Agents’ View about the Role of Extension Services on Agricultural Development

International Journal of Agricultural Management and Development

مقاله 4، دوره 2، شماره 2، شهریور 2012، صفحه 103-112   

نویسنده

Javad Mahmoodi Karamjavan^*

Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran.

چکیده

The purpose of this study was investigation of East Azerbaijan researchers and extension agents’ view about the role of extension services on agricultural development. The methodology was descriptive-correlation which is carried out by survey method. In this study, the sample population was 335 people including all researchers and extension agents working in the agricultural sector. To assess the reliability of the questionnaire, Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used and level over 0.75 for all sections of the questionnaire was measured. Its validity was established asking for the help from the technical experts. Results showed that the agricultural extension is an undeniable necessity in the agricultural development the effects of which has been positive and significant in the major variables of the agricultural development. The shortcomings are not due to the nature of extension rather they are because of improper execution, lack of support and similar reasons. The reduction of pest damage, improvement of the social status, contribution to boost handicrafts, acceptance of product insurance, recommendations for land leveling, creation of sale cooperation, awareness raising of the market, use of modern irrigation methods and several factors else was those extension role factors that the respondents agreed upon.

کلیدواژه‌ها

Azerbaijan؛ Agricultural Development؛ Extension agents؛ Researcher

مراجع

1- Anderson, J.R. (2008). Agricultural Advisory Services. Background Paper for World Bank Development Report (2008). Agriculture for Development.Washington DC: The World Bank.

2- Asiabaka, C.C. (2003). Promoting SustainableExtension Approaches: Farmer Field School (FFS) and its Role in Sustainable Agricultural Development in African. Lessons from Kenya Paper Presentedat the Association of Third World Scientists,Njoro, Kenya, Egerton University.

3- Daivic, K. (2008). Extension in Sub- Sahara Africa: Overview and Assessment of Past and Current Models and Future Prospects. Proceeding of the24 Annual Meeting. AIAEE.E.A.R.T.H. University of Costa Rica.

4- Gebrekidan, B., Yitayew A., Fekadu Y., Elias Z.& Habtemariam, K. (2005). Integrated Agricultural Development Strategies in the ANRS: Lessons fromthe AMAREW Project. Prepared for the �€œthe ThirdEAF-EARO International Symposium on DevelopmentStudies in Ethiopia�€ï¿½, June 17-18, 2005, AddisAbaba, Ethiopia.

5- Hoang, L. Anh, Castella, Jean-Ch., & Novosad,P. (2006). Social Networks and Information Access: Implications for Agricultural Extension in a Rice Farming Community in Northern Vietnam. Agricultureand Human Values. 23: 513-527. [DOI via Crossref]   

6- Karbasioun, M. (2007). Towards a Competency Profile for the Role of Instruction of Agricultural Extension Professionals Isfahan. Wageningen University.

7- Malekmohammadi, I. (1999). Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension. Iran, Tehran: UDC.

8- Norton, G., Taylor, W., Daniel, B., & McDowell,G. (1997). Investing in Agricultural Extension: TheCase of Albania Lefter Daku Research Project Submittedto the Faculty of the Virginia Polytechnic Instituteand State University in Partial Blacksburg,Virginia, Lefter Daku.

9- Qamar, M.K. (2002). Global Trends in AgriculturalExtension: Challenges Facing Asia and the Pacific Region; FAO Regional Expert Consultation onAgricultural Extension (Bangkok, July 2002). FAO, Rome. [PMC Free Fulltext]   

10- Rivera, W. M. (2001). Agricultural and Rural Extension Worldwide: Options for Institutional Reformin the Developing Countries. FAO.

11- Shahbazi, E. (2003). Rural Development and Extension(second edition). Iran, Tehran: University of Tehran.

12- Swanson, E.B. (2006). Extension Strategies forPoverty Alleviation: Lessons from China and India.Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension.12(4): 285-299. [DOI via Crossref]   

13- Wielinga, E. (2006). Rural Extension inVital Network Changing Roles of Extension in Dutch Agriculture. Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education. 7(1).http://www.aiaee.org/index.htm

14- Zamanipour, A. (2001). Agricultural Extensionin Development Process (Third press). Iran, Birjand: University of Birjand.