Training needs of extension agents' regarding organic agriculture in Saudi Arabia

Bader Alhafi Alotaibi; Edgar Yoder; Mark A Brennan; Hazem S Kassem

doi:10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2019.101711

Training needs of extension agents' regarding organic agriculture in Saudi Arabia

Eval Program Plann. 2019 Dec:77:101711. doi: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2019.101711. Epub 2019 Sep 4.

Authors

Bader Alhafi Alotaibi¹, Edgar Yoder², Mark A Brennan³, Hazem S Kassem⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Society, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia. Electronic address: balhafi@ksu.edu.sa.
² Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Society, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia; Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology and Education, College of Agricultural Sciences, Penn State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA. Electronic address: epy@psu.edu.
³ Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Society, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia; Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology and Education, College of Agricultural Sciences, Penn State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA. Electronic address: mab187@psu.edu.
⁴ Agricultural Extension and Rural Society Dept., Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt. Electronic address: hskassem@ksu.edu.sa.

PMID: 31514112
DOI: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2019.101711

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the needs of extension agents for training on organic agriculture (OA) in the Riyadh Region. Fifty-five percent (n = 69) of extension agents were selected to collect data through an electronic survey. Results indicated that extension agents in the Riyadh Region cited on job training as a main source for acquiring knowledge in OA. Agents expressed interest in receiving training in OA in general, OA marketing, and transitioning to OA. The most useful resources were field days at organic farms, OA training sessions at colleges, and attending OA trial plots. There were no differences in the level of interest in training; however, there were significant differences between individuals in terms of their experience in OA, job responsibility for providing information related to OA, and area of specialization in their job. This study recommends developing professional training programs based on the current knowledge of extension agents.

Keywords: Extension agents; Organic agriculture (OA); Riyadh region; Saudi Arabia; Training needs.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Crop Production / education
Humans
Middle Aged
Needs Assessment
Organic Agriculture* / education
Organic Agriculture* / methods
Organic Agriculture* / organization & administration
Plant Diseases / prevention & control
Saudi Arabia
Weed Control
Young Adult