Training needs of extension agents in AL Diwaniyah Province, Iraq

Abstract

The study assessed the training needs of extension agents in AL Diwaniyah province. Interview schedule was used to collect data from 60 extension agents through face-to-faces interaction. The collected data were analyses using frequency, percentage, weighted arithmetic mean, simple correlation. Findings revealed that forty-five of the respondents had medium training needs. The respondents had a high level of training needs in the area of post-harvest technology, integrated pest management (IPM), information and communication technology (ICT), value addition of agricultural commodities, floriculture management, marketing of agricultural commodities, protected agriculture, planning and implementation agricultural extension programmes, climate change, fish farming technologies, organic agriculture, and determination of farmers training needs. significant and negative correlation was investigated between training need and educational qualification, years of experience, and number of training attended. The study recommends that training courses should be conducted for extension agents in areas where respondents showed a middle and high training needs.

Keywords: Competency ,Extension areas, In-service training , Iraq.