PROBLEMS OF USING DIGITAL AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION IN PROVIDING AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICES FROM THE VIEWPOINT OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION AGENTS

Abstract

The research has aimed to determine the problems of using digital agricultural extension in providing agricultural extension services from the viewpoint of agricultural extension agents. The research population has included all agricultural extension agents who work in the Agricultural Extension and Training Department, the Training and Rehabilitation Center, the Agricultural Extension Center for Training, Al-Tarmiya Farm, as well as Al-Rashidiya Farm in Baghdad Governorate. The population consist of (100) agricultural extension agents, thus, a random sample has been taken from the research population at a rate of (83%). Accordingly, the proposed sample size has included (83) agricultural extension agents (from male and female). To achieve the goal of the research, a questionnaire has prepared that included two axes: the axis of administrative and financial problems, and the axis of technical and human problems, and the approval of the agricultural extension agents  (male and female) has measured by asking them about the extent of the problem or non-existence of the problem, using the phrases (yes, no) and assigning degrees (0,1), and then identifying the extent of the impact of these problems (if they exist) using the phrases (low, medium, big) and grades were assigned to them (1,2,3), respectively. The results of the research have shown that most of the agricultural extension agents have indicated the existence of these problems as well as their direct impact on the use of digital agricultural extension in providing agricultural extension services to target audience, as the general impact rate of administrative and financial problems was (2.41) degree, and the rate of technical and human problems was (2.32) degree, so, these results may reflect the realism and objectivity of the problems addressed in the research, as well as their direct impact on the use of digital agricultural extension. Accordingly, the failure to confront and solve these problems will turn into a threat that prevent or fails the entire process, and in return, seeking to solve these problems and overcome them by the decision-making authorities in the Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture and the Agricultural Extension and Training Department in particular, will provide an appropriate environment and achieves a satisfactory level of efficiency and effectiveness in the process of using digital agricultural extension in providing agricultural extension services to the target audience.