Training needs of agricultural extension agents using Borich needs assessment model

The objective of this study is to examine the training needs of agricultural extension workers in various provinces of Iraq. Validate them and develop a method of identification of training needs for agricultural extension agents. The data collected were analyzed by determination of the mean of the responses from the respondents and one-way of Variance (ANOVA). Using Borich need Assessment model for training needs, the questionnaire survey was adopted for a population of 300 professionals in clients, consultants, and contracting organizations. The majority of respondents were in all kinds of training needs were above the value of 3 meaning that all of them were strongly needed, the highest needed training was on the name of method with mean value 3.74, the moderate needed training was on use computer and ICT with mean = 3.26 and the lowest needed training was on the management with mean =3.15. The study revealed that the majority of respondents in the first categories in the age from 31 to 40 years 37.32%, experience from one to five years 40.94%, the number of training courses from 1 to 5 courses 39.86%, for the education level had a bachelor degree 71.74%, origin from the urban 80.80%, and attended training 81.16%, marital status 73.19%, the gender a male 63.77%, and specialization from agriculture department 71.38%. The results shows significant relationship with provinces, marital status, location of work, training, and the number of training courses. The Extension Agents agreed that they needed training in studies areas of their agriculture

Needs of Farmers for Guidance Publication to the Development of Agricultural Extension in Anbar, Iraq

Guidance publication one of the most important sources of information for farmers about crop techniques,knowledge, and cropping information to get high productivity. Targeted research to asses the relationship between the wheat grower information level and recommendations of the Scientific pamphlet of wheat and some independent variables studied, as well as identify social characteristics, and functional for extension workers, and determine the reasons for non-use of the indicative releases from the point of view of agricultural workers. Iraq determines the research community in all extension agents to maintain a (92 Advisor) and sample farmer b (145 farms) of village farmers discussed (414) farms, selected a random sample of 35% of the province's villages and all of the following villages: ( Qusaiba village, Parwana and sons Hassan and corner Walnhih , Znkorh and the village of Black Hill).Data were collected by personal interview from 3 January  to 28 March 2014 through the resolution, analysis of research data on the frequencies, percentages and arithmetic mean, standard deviation, range, as any simple correlation coefficient.  The most significant results show that (18.6%) are small and that the information category (31, 7%), them with the information medium, and that (49.6%) They are with high information. Moral relationship at 0.01 level (0.05) between the level of agricultural information and (Gender, age, cultural openness, sources of information), and non-moral moral level 0, 05 for each of the following independent variables (marital status, Farming, engagement, agricultural property type, participate in outreach activities, the trend towards agricultural innovations). Keywords: Guidance Publication, Farmers, Field crops, Agricultural Extension, and Iraq

Training needs of agriculture extension officers in Iraq

This paper examines the training needs of extension agents in Iraq agriculture, specifically, the practice of different extension approaches, activities, methods and principal problems of extension agents in their fieldwork. Training in any form is intrinsic to organizational effectiveness and efficiency training. The type of training given to an individual who is gainfully employed but requires certain knowledge and skills to improve his efficiency. The purposes of this paper are 1) investigating the training needs for extension agents to perform their work effectively, 2) suggesting the suitable extension method for the present agricultural extension service in Iraq, and 3) identifying the primary functions and major problems of extension agents in Iraq 4) identifying the training needs in these study according to the areas of studies. In-service training of the Extension Agents is the call of the time. Training needs were assessed using the Borich Needs Assessment Model, This Model is designed around the skills individuals and groups need to be effective in the future and are used for making human resources decisions. Through trained Agricultural Extension Agents new agricultural technology can easily and favorably be transferred to clientele. According to the centralized administration, the extension workers have being practicing mostly the training and visit system in a top-down Iraq. Due to the non-involvement of local people in the extension program planning, implementation, and decision-making process, the extension service developed inefficiently. Therefore, the extension workers, researchers, and local farmers should cooperate in the extension work, especially in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the extension program to develop the extension service in Iraq Agriculture. The local farmers should be involved in the decision-making process because they are really facing the problems in their field. All extension workers and subject matter specialists are now interested in implementing PEA in the future in the agricultural extension service

The Learning Experience of Iraq Middle-Aged Adult Learner in Online Undergraduate Degree

This paper has based an interview with an Iraq Middle-aged adult female to gain her experience at how she completed an online course in Iraq. The paper presents findings from a case study which explored insights of her experience in online English programme in Iraq. The research questions focused on why Middle-aged adult learners could carry on and complete the programme, what factors supported her completion of the programme, and which conditions seemed to slow down the process. Findings from the interviews suggest that interaction in the learning, accessibility of the programme and encouragement from others were some of the factors that facilitated the completion of the programme. However, multiple roles for female students, technology related problems and disappointment were some of the major challenges for completion of the programme. Keywords: online course; Middle-aged; adult learning; interviews