Access to agricultural inputs, technology and information, communicating with farmers, and the role of women in agriculture: Perceptions of Iraqi extension agents

Abstract

The goal of this study was to gain a more comprehensive understanding of access to inputs, technology and information available to Iraqi extension agents, and to ascertain current farmer communication strategies and gender roles within the diverse Iraq agricultural extension system. The conflicts, government policies, and economic sanctions that have enveloped Iraq over the last several decades have significantly impacted access to agricultural resources. Iraqi extension personnel participating in the Iraq Agricultural Extension Revitalization (IAER) program provided their perspective on the availability of agricultural supplies, technology and related information. About two-thirds of the extension agents indicated that the flow and availability of agricultural supplies has become less restricted and generally felt that there was greater access to basic agricultural information compared to the previous decade. Despite perceiving noticeable improvement overall in access to agricultural supplies and technology, over 83% of the program attendees agreed that access to agricultural inputs was currently insufficient to successfully promote productive agricultural practices. An overwhelming preference for face-toface communication by both farmers and extension personnel also limits the extent to which agricultural information can be disseminated. In addition, several regional and gender-based differences emerged. Notably, it appears that farmers do not approach female extension personnel equally, wherein better educated farmers are more likely to interact with female extension agents. We suggest that an approach based on a horizontal exchange of knowledge between extension personnel and local farmers, coupled with a better integration of women extension personnel, will help a revitalized Iraqi extension system achieve greater agricultural sustainability.