KNOWLEDGE LEVEL OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSIONISTS IN THE FIELD OF BIOLOGICAL CONTROL IN ISMAILIA GOVERNORATE

Abstract

The aim of the research were to determine knowledge level ofagricultural Extensionists in the field of Biological Control, identify trainingmethods which preferred by agricultural Extensionists for training in the fieldof Biological Control, identify reasons for farmers 'reluctance to applyBiological Control methods from the point of view of the Extensionists, anddetermining the relationship between the studied variables and the knowledgelevel of the agricultural Extensionists in the field of Biological Control.Research was conducted on a random sample of 95 agricultural Extensionistsin Ismailia Governorate. Data were collected by a questionnaire in January2017, frequency, percentage, weighted average, Pearson's simple correlationcoefficient, Chi square were used to analyse data.The main findings of the research were as follows:1. More than three froths of the respondents (76.8%) of the agriculturalExtensionists did not receive training in the field of Biological Control. 8.4%and 14.7% of them had low and average benefit.2. about four fifths of the respondents (78.9%) had low knowledge ofBiological Control, compared with 4.3% have high level of knowledge.3. Agricultural Extensionists prefer the following methods of training in thefield of Biological Control: field visits, practical demonstration, and seminars.4. Reasons of reluctance of farmers to use the Biological Control from thepoint of view of respondents: Lack of knowledge and information of farmersabout the methods of biological control, lack of requirements for theapplication of biological control, weak shortage of communication challengesbetween research centers and agricultural extension and farmers.5. The most important problems faced respondents in the field of biologicalcontrol were: lack of incentives and rewards, shortage of extension programson Biological Control, lack of extension aids.6. There is a significant relationship between the following variables: age,academic qualification, academic specialization, length of service in extensionwork, training, the degree of job satisfaction, and knowledge level of theextensionists in the field of Biological Control.