Training needs of agricultural extension workers in some areas of agricultural extension work in Salah al-Din Governorate – Iraq

This study aimed to identify the training needs of agricultural extension workers in Salah al-Din Governorate, Iraq, in specific areas of agricultural extension work. This was achieved by assessing the level of these needs in the areas of agricultural extension knowledge, information, and experience; communication skills and extension methods; attitudes towards extension work; and the management of agricultural extension programs. The study adopted a descriptive methodology, deemed most suitable for the nature and objectives of the research. The research population comprised all agricultural extension workers in the Salah al-Din Governorate Agriculture Directorate and its affiliated agricultural divisions, totaling 854 employees. A stratified random sample of 265 respondents was selected, using the Krejcie & Morgan scale. Data were collected using a questionnaire consisting of 150 items distributed across four main domains. Statistical analysis of the data was conducted using Excel and SPSS software, relying on frequencies, percentages, arithmetic means, standard deviations, and correlation coefficients. The study results showed that the majority of respondents fall within the category of having moderate training needs across all areas of study, particularly in agricultural extension knowledge and information, communication skills, and extension program management. This indicates a clear training gap among agricultural extension workers. The results also revealed weak positive attitudes toward extension work among a significant percentage of respondents. The study concluded that improving the efficiency of agricultural extension workers requires focusing on identifying actual training needs as the basis for planning training programs. It recommended the development and implementation of specialized and continuous training programs that focus on developing communication skills, extension program management, and the use of modern extension methods. This would contribute to raising the efficiency of extension performance and improving the quality of services provided to farmers.