Agricultural extension system industrial managers in the light of their training needs to face job stress - A field study

Abstract

The research aimed to define the training needs of the agricultural extension system managers to face job stress and constructing a training program for agricultural extension managers in light of those training needs. In order to achieve the research goal, a questionnaire was prepared in the light of literature, the expert's opinions and their approval. Furthermore, the questionnaire included a scale of training needs to face job stress (35) items distributed among (5) fields, including the personal field, time management, and organization, As well as, the building teams work, making decisions, and the use of writing to arrange ideas. The data were collected for the period from 29/10/2019 to 30/1/2020 by the questionnaire and the personal interview method with (198) respondents from the provinces of the central region of Iraq [6] were carried out according to a random sample by 60% and (5) provinces. The research results showed that there was a training need for the respondents, as the weighted coefficient degrees for each field of facing job stress fields were greater than the proposed average of (1.5) degrees. It was reached (2.45) degrees in the field of making the decision, (2.14) degrees in the field of using writing to arrange ideas, (2.03) degrees in the field of building teams work. Moreover, (1.39) degrees in the field of time management and organization and (1.57) degrees in the personal field, and in light of the training needs of the respondents. A training program has been constructed for the agricultural extension system managers that includes the following elements (Objectives of the training program, program content, training techniques, training methods, trainers, trainees, location of training, duration and time of the program, training materials, budget preparation, evaluation of the training program). The researchers recommended that this research should be approved from the Agricultural Extension and Training Department and pay attention to the subject of work stress and the necessity for the competent authorities to prepare training courses for agricultural extension managers within the fields and items mentioned in the research.