International Journal of Agriculture Extension and Social Development

author(s)
Ahmed Saker Abdullah and Ahmed Mirghani Abdel Rahman

abstract
This study aims to evaluate the efficiency of the agricultural extension system in Iraq from the perspective of extension workers. The study adopted a descriptive approach and relied on a questionnaire directed at a sample of (234) agricultural extension workers, selected using a proportional stratified sampling method from a population of (630) workers distributed across various Iraqi governorates. The questionnaire included (61) paragraphs divided into sixteen axes, covering the organizational, administrative, and technical aspects related to agricultural extension work. The results of the one-way analysis of variance showed that some areas, such as organizational structure, goal setting, and report writing and filing, did not record significant differences between the three regions (northern, central, and southern). Significant differences, however, appeared in favor of certain regions in other areas, such as policies adopted in favor of the central region, budgets in favor of the northern region, and program implementation methods in favor of the southern region. The study concluded that the extension system suffers from high centralization, weak institutional coordination, and a shortage of human and financial resources. The study recommended the need to develop the organizational structure, activate partnerships with relevant institutions, and improve incentives and logistical support.