The Role of agricultural extension in overcoming environmental changes in Nineveh governorate

Abstract

The research was conducted in Nineveh Governorate and included all agricultural extension workers in the Directorate of Agriculture of Nineveh and its affiliated units. The study aimed to identify the role of agricultural extension in overcoming environmental changes in Nineveh Governorate. The research population consisted of all agricultural extension workers in Nineveh Governorate, totaling 280 agricultural researchers distributed among the Directorate of Agriculture of Nineveh, its agricultural divisions, the Agricultural Extension Center, and affiliated demonstration farms. Of these, 260 extension workers were specifically employed at the directorate and 31 agricultural divisions. A simple random sample of 25% was taken, resulting in a sample size of 70 respondents. A questionnaire was developed to collect the data, consisting of three parts: Part One: Measured the independent variables, of the agricultural extension workers. Part Two: Included a scale composed of 30 items to assess the role of agricultural extension in overcoming climate change in Nineveh Governorate. Part Three: Comprised a scale with 10 items measuring the challenges faced by agricultural extension workers in addressing climate change. Face validity was ensured by presenting the questionnaire to a group of experts and specialists in agricultural extension. Content validity was also verified through a review by a panel of experts in educational and psychological sciences at the College of Education for Human Sciences, University of Mosul. The reliability coefficient was calculated using Cronbach's Alpha method, and data for the pilot sample was collected through personal interviews with the extension workers. The reliability coefficient was found to be (0.96), indicating a high level of reliability. The results showed that the role of agricultural extension in addressing environmental changes is moderate, tending toward high. There is also a significant correlation between the role of agricultural extension and each of the variables (age, gender, and years of service).