Attitude of Agricultural High School Educators in Khouzestan Province Regarding Sustainable Agriculture
Subject Areas : Extension of Sustainability
1 - Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Shoushtar Branch,
Islamic Azad University, Shoushtar, Iran
Keywords: Attitude, Sustainable agriculture, Agricultural High School, Educators,
Abstract :
The purpose of research was analyzing attitude of agricultural high school educators in Khouzestan province, Iran regarding sustainable agriculture. The method of research was correlative descriptive. All agricultural high school educators in Khouzestan province (n=55) were selected for participation in the study. A questionnaire was developed to gather information regarding attitude of educators regarding sustainable agriculture. Questionnaire reliability was estimated by calculating Cronbach’s alpha. Data collected were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Appropriate statistical procedures for description (frequencies, per cent, means, and standard deviations) were used. Based on results there is significant correlation between attitude of agricultural educators about sustainable agriculture with knowledge of agricultural educators about sustainable agriculture, communication channel, social participation, social status, individual competency, professional competency and specialized skills. Also the result for regression analysis by stepwise method shows approximately 67.3% of the variances in the attitude of agricultural educators regarding sustainable agriculture could be explained by the knowledge of agricultural educators about sustainable agriculture, communication channel, social participation, social status, individual competency, professional competency and specialized skills.
Alibeigi, A., Irvani, H., Shabanalifami, H., Kalantari, K. H., Ashtiani, R. (2006). Attitude analysis of scientific members of Agricultural colleges toward sustainable agriculture. Journal of Iran Agricultural Development and Economics. 37(2): 277-285.
Alipour, H., Falah, R., Farimani Moghdath, S. H. (2008). Knowledge and Attitude of researchers of agricultural research, education, extension organization toward sustainable agriculture. Research and Construction in the Agronomy and Horticulture. 81, pp: 110-119.
Bhutto, A.VW. and Bazmi, A. A. (2007). Sustainable agriculture and eradication of poverty in Pakistan. Nat. Resour. Forum, 31: 253-262.
Garret, J. (2006). A gift from the Sam Antuonio professional coaches, Retrieved July 17, 2007, from www.Jaynegarrentt.com.
Gold, M. (2009). What is Sustainable Agriculture? United States Department of Agriculture, Alternative Farming Systems Information Center.
Hashemi, S. M and Damalas, C. A. (2011). Farmers’ perceptions of pesticide efficacy: reflections on the importance of pest management practices adoption. J Sustain Agr 35:1–17.
Hayati, B., Momenichelki, D., Zarifian, S.H and Galalian, M. (2010). Personnel's attitude of jihad agriculture organization of East Azarbayejan toward sustainable agriculture and effective factors. Journal of Iran Agricultural Development and Economics. 41(1), pp: 71-78.
Karami, E and Masoorabadi, A. (2007). Sustainable agricultural attitudes and behaviors: A gender analysis of Iranian farmers. Environment Development sustainable, 10, 833- 898.
Lee, D. R. (2005). Agricultural sustainability and technology adoption: Issues and policies for developing countries. Am. J. Agr. Econ., 87: 1325-1333. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-8276.2005.00826.x
Leeuwis, C. (2004). Communication for Rural Innovation: Rethinking Agricultural Extension. Blackwell, Iowa, USA.
Ommani, A. R., Chizari, M., Salmanzadeh. C and Hossaini, J. F. (2009). Extension Methods and Organizational Characteristics for Supporting Sustainable Water Resource Management in Agriculture of Iran. Journal of Applied Sciences, 9: 567-572.
Qamar, M. K. (2002). Global Trends in Agricultural Extension: Challenges Facing Asia and the Pacific Region. Sustainable Development Department (SD), FAO, Rome.
Rasul, G. and Thapa, G. B. (2003). Sustainability of ecological and conventional agricultural systems in Bangladesh: An assessment based on environmental, economic and social perspectives. Agri. Syst., 79: 327-351.
Sadati, A., Fami, H. S., Asadi. A and Sadati, A. (2010). Farmer’s Attitude on Sustainable Agriculture and its Determinants: A Case Study in Behbahan County of Iran 1 Research Journal of Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology 2(5): 422-427, 2010
Sharifi, P. H. (2005). Principles of psychological and psychometric tests. Publications of Tehran University.
Shavali, M and Moshavegh, G. (2005). Investigating the role of caricature on changing attitude of experts of Shiraz agriculture jihad organization toward sustainable agriculture. Journal of production and processing the crop production, 9(1). Pp: 25-39.