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The Effects of Extension Education and Communication Channels on Technical Knowledge of Farmers

Ahmad Reza Ommani1, Mohammad Chizari2

1Presenting Author: Department of Agriculture, Islamic Azad University - Shoushtar Branch, Iran
e mail: ommani75451@yahoo.com

2Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, College of Agriculture,
Tarbiat Modaress University, Tehran, Iran
e mail: Mchizari@modares.ac.ir

Abstract

Extension, defined broadly as the rural knowledge and innovation system, is key to informing and influencing these rural household decisions. The purpose of this article is to present the results of a study done about the effects of extension and communication channels on technical knowledge of farmers of Khuzestan province of Iran. The research method employed was correlative-descriptive. Wheat farmers in Khuzestan province were the target population for this study. A random sample of wheat farmers selected from three randomly selected township of Ahwaz, Behbahan, and Dezful township (N = 5529, n= 359). The main result of the study revealed that approximately (36.9%) of wheat farmers' had a “very low” level of participation on individual education. In this study there was a significant relationship between the individual education, extension education class, extension exhibition, and demonstration farm with technical knowledge of wheat farmers. In addition, there was a significant relationship between the using of communication channels such as agricultural services centers, radio and television, and extension agents with technical knowledge of wheat farmers.

The findings do provide some interesting implications and suggest some recommendations for training and professional development programs to enhance program effectiveness of farmers. Agricultural extension is part of a system of actors who influence farmers’ knowledge. It includes, among others, agricultural researchers, political authorities, farmer organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), farmer-training centers and the media. These actors assume the functions of research, information dissemination, training and so on.

Keyword: extension education, communication channel, technical knowledge