Extension knowledge needs of farmers in the field of extensional recommendations for the use of agricultural pesticides in sharbazher district - Sulaymaniyah Governorate

Abstract

The aim of the research was to determine extension knowledge training needs of farmers in the field of extensional recommendations for the use of agricultural pesticides and their effects. The research data was collected using a questionnaire by personal interview for a random sample consisting of 123 farmers representing 5% of the research population (2455), which were. To measure the validity of the research tool, it was presented to specialists in the fields of extension and plant protection, the reliability coefficient was calculated through an exploratory sample outside the study sample by split half method, and its value was (0.82). After final modifications, the questionnaire was used to collect data from the research sample. Finally, the software SPSS ver22 was used for data analysis. The results showed that the majority of farmers their extension knowledge training needs were medium, the economic effects occupied the first rank in terms of training needs, while the environmental effects occupied the last rank.as well as the results appeared there is a significant difference in training needs according factors (land area, family help, training courses), while no significant differences according to variables (age, level of education, the amount of pesticide use, use alternative of pesticide, source of information). The research recommended increasing training activities in the field of agricultural pesticides according to their training needs, focusing the courses on the economic effect aspects, and paying more attention to farmers to participate in training courses in this field and urging them to use alternatives to pesticides.