Level of Water Awareness for Agricultural Extension Specialist in Beheira Governorate مستوي الوعي المائي لأخصائي الارشاد الزراعي بمحافظة البحيرة

Abstract

This research aimed to identify the level of water awareness for agricultural extension specialist in Beheira Governorate. Field research data were collected using a personal interview questionnaire during July and August 2020, for a simple random sample of 70 respondents (82%) out of a total of population (85) according to Cochran's equation. Spearman's coefficient of ranks correlation, and Rank Biserial Correlation, were used in data analysis. The most important of research results were as follows: It was found that nearly two-thirds of respondents (64.2%) have a high-water awareness regarding determinants of water scarcity and their expected impacts, as well as knowledge, practices, and problems of rationalization of irrigation water use. It was found that the most important roles of agricultural extension specialist in developing water awareness of farmers are to disseminate proven knowledge about water scarcity and rationalize use of irrigation water, especially in agricultural uses, Extension meetings to discuss water problems among farmers. The most important practice in rationalizing use of irrigation water from the viewpoint of the respondents was soil levelling by laser. The results showed that the most important problems and obstacles to implementing irrigation water rationalization practices are low level of knowledge and skills of the farmers with rationalization of irrigation water use and high cost of soil levelling by laser. The most important proposals to develop and raise water efficiency application mentioned by respondents was to improve efficiency of using irrigation water by spreading the culture of rationalizing, its use and protecting it from pollution.