OBSTACLES OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION WORKERS IN IMPLEMENTING THE ACTIVITES OF THE AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION AND TRAINING ORGANIZATION AND THE PROPOSED

Abstract

The research aims to identify the obstacles facing agricultural extension workers in implementing the activities of the Agricultural Extension and Training Department, with proposed solutions. To achieve the research objectives, a questionnaire was designed to first identify these obstacles and then develop proposed solutions by collecting the opinions of agricultural consultants. This was based on relevant literature relating to subject matter experts. The research community included all agricultural consultants working at the headquarters of the Agricultural Extension and Training Department and its branches in the governorates of the central region. The total number of participants in the study was 118 agricultural extension workers.

     Statistical data analysis was conducted, and the research results revealed major obstacles that agricultural extension faces in carrying out extension activities. These obstacles obtained average scores higher than the hypothesized average on the agreement scale used in the research. As for the results of the second objective, they indicated that the primary focus on the opinions of the participants was the best real solution to overcome the obstacles faced by agricultural extension workers in implementing the activities of the Agricultural Extension and Training Department. The research recommended the need for relevant agricultural extension agencies to pay special attention to the challenges faced by agricultural extension workers, which hinder the implementation of extension programmers. This can be achieved by intensifying the training of agricultural extension workers in the field of extension activities and enhancing material and moral incentives for them with the aim of improving the quality of implementing extension programs and presenting them in the best possible way.