Rural leaders' mechanisms to overcome the constant decline of the agricultural extension resources

الملخص EN

We have conducted this study in the new valley governorate of Egypt to recognize rural leaders (RLS) mechanisms to meet community knowledge demands with a continuous diminish of the extension efforts.

four oases namely al-Khargah, Balat, Mut, and al-Farafrah were selected purposively.

a systematic random sample was selected of 84 RLS.

we have developed an interview questionnaire for data collection.

frequency, percentage, and weighted average were utilized for data analysis.

findings manifested problems encounter RLS e.g., the retirement of well-experienced extension workers (EWS) (51.2%).

the number of RLS has been declining due to the death and lack of discovering youth leaders (14.3%).

RLS adopted two mechanisms to acquire knowledge 1) asking previously trusted sources e.g., pension EWS (72.6%) and family members (57.1%), 2) seeking knowledge from commercial and new sources e.g., inputs suppliers (25%) and social networks and TV channels (20.2%).

to activate RLS role, respondents provided a few suggestions e.g., establishing a contractual relationship with RLS (72.6%), providing them training (38.1%) and incentives (32.1%), engaging research institutions in the extension programs (48.8%), and employ retired EWS (44%).

findings recommend establishing a contractual relationship with RLS and the retired EWS to enhance the extension responsiveness and effectiveness.