KNOWLEGDE NEEDS OF IRAQI AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION STAFF OF THE MINSITRY OF AGRICUL TORE IN EXTENSION COMMUNICATION

Abstract

The aim of the study was to identify the knowledge needs of Iraqi agricultural extension staff in extension communication subject. To achieve the research goal, knowledge needs scale was prepared. including: 7 axes consisted of 56 items, which are, basic knowledge & principles, resource, receiver, message, methods, evaluation, and new technologies Data was collected from sample; of 115 extension employers by questionnaire. The results showed that the degrees of extension staff knowledge needs with this subject was ranging between "5¬168 "degree, with an average of 127.3 points out of 168 points on the knowledge needs scale. The average of knowledge needs degree in subject axes: basic knowledge & principles, resource, receiver, message, methods, evaluation, and new technologies have been reached to 15.5,9.8,13.9, II.!, 58.1, 6.7,12.6 degrees on sequence and on Knowledge scales reached 21, 12, 18, 15, 78, 9, 15 point respectively. With lower limit of (zero) the research indicated that the knowledge needs of Iraqi agricultural extension staff in extension communication was large and needs to be met by training, moreover the addition of extension communication in curriculum of Agricultural Colleges and the establishment of extension department in thegbvc college of agricultural, university of Basra.