The use of different extension methods by agricultural agents in Baghdad, Iraq during and before sanction

Abstract

The study was conducted in Baghdad , Iraq during November 1996. The aim was to compare the use of extension methods by agricultural agents during and before the United Nations Economic sanction imposed on Iraq since 1990. The results showed that about 45% and 41% of agricultural agents increased their use of personal visits method and the lecture and farmer's meetings method respectively compared with the situation before the sanction. The results also showed that more than 50% of agents did not use the following methods during the sanction: Research station visits, field days, technical production station visits and cinema films and video. In addition, the study indicated that agents of middle age who had high school degrees, served more than twenty years, had another job beside the extension job and worked in town used personal visits method and lecture and farmer's meeting method more than the others. It was also found that manager agents and those who work in cities used training method and television programs method more than the others. It is recommended that farmers should be welcomed in agricultural offices, provided with all extension services and encouraged to revisit the offices.