Agrotechnology

Agricultural extension agents opinions towards the extension problems in Jordan: A case study

13^th International Conference on Agriculture & Horticulture

September 10-12, 2018 | Zurich, Switzerland

Ahmad N Al Shadiadeh

Al Balqa Applied University, Jordan

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Agrotechnology

Abstract:

The research is aimed at identifying opinions of agricultural extension workers in Jordan towards the agricultural extension problems, and determining the relationship between overall levels of these opinions as dependent variable, and different demographic characteristics of respondents as independent variables. In order to achieve research objectives, Likert scale was employed (strongly agree, agree, neutral, not agree, strongly disagree) to measure the extension workers opinions' using thirtyseven paragraphs distributed on eight axes related to the agricultural extension problems in Jordan. Data were collected by a questionnaire through personal interview with sixty-one random sample from the community of extension workers in Jordan. The most important findings of study are: There were three categories for extension workers opinions nature which were Negative opinion (<152) points, Neutral opinion (142-152) points and Positive opinion (>152) points. It was found that 26.4%, 54.1%, and 21.3% of extension workers were allocated to these categories respectively. Ranking of the problems of the agricultural extension came according to the following sequence: Ranking of the problems of the agricultural extension came according to the following sequence: problems related of agricultural extension philosophy came at the first rank, administration problems at the second rank, the technical problems at the third rank, the social problems at the fourth rank, the legislative problems at the fifth rank, training problems at the seventh rank and lastly the environmental problem where the relative importance of the arithmetic averages has 72.2%, 72%, 71%, 65% and 49% respectively. The study revealed significant differences between opinions of extension workers towards of agricultural extension problems related to the variables of gender, service years in the agricultural ministry, and the work territory. On the other hand, no significant differences were found related to age, education level, service years in the agricultural extension, job title, and training courses. Thus, this research recommends that policymakers and planners should develop more strategies, plans, and extension education programs in order to improve the extension work environment, in addition, this research shed light on the most important agricultural extension problems in Jordan, and try to find scientific and practical solutions to these problems.

Biography :

E-mail: shadiadeh2007@bau.edu.jo