دراسة تحليلية لاتجاهات مزارعي الخضار المروية في وادي الأردن نحو دور القطاع الخاص في توفير خدمات الإرشاد الزراعي

Abstract EN

The objective of this study was to investigate the attitudes of vegetables growers in the Jordan Valley towards the role of the agricultural input suppliers in extension and the relationships between growers’ characteristics and their attitudes towards private extension.

A stratified sample of growers in 118 agricultural unit was used, and descriptive and nonparametric statistics were used to analyze the data.

The results showed that majority of the growers were in their middle ages, educated, full time farmers, experienced (> 10 years) with medium farm size (3.4 ha) and two thirds were non landowners for part or all of their holdings.

Farmers regarded input suppliers information as better quality than public extension.

Most commonly used extension methods by the suppliers were office calls, and regular farm and home visits.

Attitudes towards private extension were higher for younger growers, married, those with higher education; medium experience and medium to high income, those with larger number of farm units and for residents outside the Valley.

The study recommended the need to a supervisory role of the public sector to inputs suppliers; a functional division of labor in the extension services in an integrated and cooperative arrangements between the public sector and suppliers.

More public extension efforts to be directed to groups (small farmers…) and areas (dry farming, environment friendly activities…) not properly served by the private extension.

More convincing extension methods (demonstrations…) are recommended, and gradual introduction of ICT in extension delivery system.