An investigation of the effectiveness of research-extension joint human resource development programmes in Iran's agriculture sector

Abstract

The heart of agricultural human resource development interventions (AHRDI) – which are organized and/or conducted mainly by research, extension and educational institutions – is the farmer. This descriptive-correlational research aims to investigate the effectiveness of field days and research-findings-diffusion weeks in the agriculture sector in Fars Province of Iran, and to determine which factors are correlated with their effectiveness. The research population consisted of 60 farmers who participated in the programmes during the farming year 2006–7 in Fars Province. A group of 60 farmers, who were similar to the participating farmers, was also studied as a comparison group. Two separate questionnaires were developed for data collection. Face validity was obtained through experts' views and reliability was obtained through pilot tests (Cronbanch's alpha). Data collected were analysed using SPSSwin11.5, and appropriate statistical procedures and statistical tests were employed. Results showed significant differences in HRD levels of farmers, before and after participation in the programmes, and also revealed significant differences between participating and non-participating farmers' HRD levels. Programme plans, situational elements, farmers' attitudes, number of basic agricultural information sources and farmers' membership in groups had significant positive correlations with two or more HRD effectiveness levels. Appropriate suggestions have been given based on the results.