Investigation of East Azerbaijan Researchers and Extension Agents’ View about the Role of Extension Services on Agricultural Development

The purpose of this study was investigation of East Azerbaijanresearchers and extension agents’ view about the role ofextension services on agricultural development. The methodologywas descriptive-correlation which is carried out by surveymethod. In this study, the sample population was 335 peopleincluding all researchers and extension agents working in theagricultural sector. To assess the reliability of the questionnaire,Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used and level over 0.75 forall sections of the questionnaire was measured. Its validitywas established asking for the help from the technical experts.Results showed that the agricultural extension is an undeniablenecessity in the agricultural development the effects of whichhas been positive and significant in the major variables of theagricultural development. The shortcomings are not due to thenature of extension rather they are because of improperexecution, lack of support and similar reasons. The reductionof pest damage, improvement of the social status, contributionto boost handicrafts, acceptance of product insurance, recommendationsfor land leveling, creation of sale cooperation,awareness raising of the market, use of modern irrigationmethods and several factors else was those extension rolefactors that the respondents agreed upon.