Knowledge of the Importance of Behavioral Management Skills of Agricultural Extension Officials in Iraq and Their Relationship with Some Variables

Abstract

This research chiefly aimed to determine degree of knowledge of the behavioral management skills of agricultural extension officials in Iraq as well as the importance of those skills, and to determine the relationship between knowledge of the behavioral management skills of agricultural instructional officials in Iraq and the studied independent variables. The survey methodology has been used in conducting the research. The questionnaire form has been designed to fulfill the research's objectives. The required adjustments were been made in April 2019 by a group of experts in this field. Statistical methods such as arithmetic mean, standard deviation and correlation coefficient were applied. The study was included all agricultural Extension officials (Division and Section Officer) in the Department of Agricultural Extension and Training, agricultural extension officials in Iraqi directorates of agriculture and officials of extension centers (145 official) Whereas, 20 officials have been excluded in order to verify the reliability of the research scale. The most notable results have been 48% of the surveyed extension officials with knowledge of the importance of behavioral management skills ranging from medium to low. The results showed that there is a positive correlation at the probability level 0.01 between the degree of knowledge and each of the independent variables (extension training, the degree of motivation of achievement, and the degree of knowledge in extension communication). There is a positive correlation at the probability level 0.05 between the degree of knowledge and the independent variable of job satisfaction, whereas there is no correlation between degree of knowledge and independent variables (indicative experience, number of years of education, multiple sources of information, and degree of benefit from training). The researchers are recommending to; increase behavioral management skills training for extension workers in order to develop their skills. The extension workers selection should base on the experience, high level of education, high skills in counseling communication, team formation, time management, possess the motivation of achievement and high job satisfaction.