Identifying and Prioritizing Performance Management Challenges in Iran's Agricultural Extension and Education
محورهای موضوعی : Agricultural ExtensionAli Aghaee Malekabadi 1 , Ahmadreza Ommani 2 , Azadeh Noorollah Noorivandi 3 , Mohammad Sadegh Sabouri 4
1 - Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Shoushtar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shoushtar, Iran
2 - Associate Professor, Agricultural and Rural Development Management Research Center, Agricultural ManagementDepartment, Shoushtar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shoushtar, Iran
3 - Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Shoushtar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shoushtar, Iran
4 - Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Garmsar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Garmsar, Iran
کلید واژه: Performance Management, Challenges, Agricultural Extension and Education, Iran,
چکیده مقاله :
In Tehran, surveys were used to identify and rank performance management challenges in agricultural extension and education. To identify and evaluate the challenges, semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions were conducted. Participants included 22 experts who had at least 10 years of management experience in extension activities. The number of study participants was determined based on theoretical saturation. This action was identified in the form of 3 steps of open coding, axial coding and selective coding using MAXqda12 software. Then, the identified challenges were prioritized through Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) with Expert Choice software. After the pairwise comparison of all the challenges based on each of the sub-criteria, the pairwise comparisons were combined and the result and final weight and priority of each of the challenges was determined based on the set of criteria using the software. The first 3 priorities were: lack of development of knowledge about strategic and operational performance and performance advancement (W=0.176.), lack of knowledge of continuous monitoring of the performance and process of doing work (W=0.148.), unfavorable attitude towards continuous performance monitoring, feedback and performance evaluation (W=0.132). Finally, applied recommendations to overcome challenges were expressed.
In Tehran, surveys were used to identify and rank performance management challenges in agricultural extension and education. To identify and evaluate the challenges, semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions were conducted. Participants included 22 experts who had at least 10 years of management experience in extension activities. The number of study participants was determined based on theoretical saturation. This action was identified in the form of 3 steps of open coding, axial coding and selective coding using MAXqda12 software. Then, the identified challenges were prioritized through Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) with Expert Choice software. After the pairwise comparison of all the challenges based on each of the sub-criteria, the pairwise comparisons were combined and the result and final weight and priority of each of the challenges was determined based on the set of criteria using the software. The first 3 priorities were: lack of development of knowledge about strategic and operational performance and performance advancement (W=0.176.), lack of knowledge of continuous monitoring of the performance and process of doing work (W=0.148.), unfavorable attitude towards continuous performance monitoring, feedback and performance evaluation (W=0.132). Finally, applied recommendations to overcome challenges were expressed.
1. Aafzali Gorouh, A., Karamidehkordi, E., Ghasemi, J., & Gholami, H. (2023). Identifying the Challenges Facing Rural Youth Capacity Development Programs in Iran's Agricultural Extension System. Village and Space Sustainable Development, (Available Online from 16 April 2023), doi: 10.22077/vssd.2023.5858.1150
2. Ahmadpour, A., Abolghasemi, F., & Moumeni Helali, H. (2021). Identification of Appropriate Strategies to Improve and Develop Private Agricultural Extension System: A Study in Mazandaran Province, Iran. International Journal of Agricultural Management and Development, 11(1), 99-115. Search in Google Scholar.
3. Albore, A. (2018). Review on Role and Challenges of Agricultural Extension Service on Farm Productivity in Ethiopia. International Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, 4(1), 93-100.
4. Alizadeh, N., Alipour, H., Nikooei, A., Hajimirrahimi, S., Bakhshi-Jahromi, A., & Hasanpour, B. (2019). Identification of Challenges and Requirements of the Agricultural Extension and Pathology of the Current Status of the New Agricultural Extension System of Iran. Iranian Agricultural Extension and Education Journal, 14(2), 21-35. 20.1001.1.20081758.1397.14.2.2.9
5. Asadollahpour Kotenai, A., Alipour, H., & Farhadi, F. (2021). The role of components in the challenges of New System of Agricultural Extension (NSAE) in Mazandaran. Journal of Agricultural Education Administration Research, 13(57), 5-27. doi: 10.22092/jaear.2021.354876.1836
6. Ashraf, S., Yousaf Hassan, Z. (2021). The Challenges Facing Agricultural Extension from the Viewpoint of Agricultural Officers in Pakistan. JAST 2021; 23 (3) :499-513. URL: http://jast.modares.ac.ir/article-23-36427-en.html
7. Babu, S. C., Joshi, P. K., Glendenning, C. J., Asenso-Okyere, K., & Sulaiman, R. V. (2013). The state of agricultural extension reforms in India: Strategic priorities and policy options. Agricultural Economics Research Review, 26(2), 159-172, Doi: 10.22004/ag.econ.162155. Search in Google Scholar
8. Benson, A., & Jafry, T. (2013). The state of agricultural extension: an overview and new caveats for the future. The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, 19(4), 381-393. Search in Goole Scholar
9. Cabrera, W., & Estacio, D. (2022). Job Attitude as a Factor on Employees Performance. International Journal of Economics Development Research (IJEDR), 3(1), 13–35. https://doi.org/10.37385/ijedr.v3i1.254
10. Djuraeva, M., Bobojonov, I., Kuhn, L & Glauben, T. (2023). The impact of agricultural extension type and form on technical efficiency under transition: An empirical assessment of wheat production in Uzbekistan, Economic Analysis and Policy, 77, 203-221, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eap.2022.11.008.
11. Du Plessis, T., & Van Niekerk, A. (2017). Factors influencing managers’ attitudes towards performance appraisal. SA Journal of Human Resource Management, 15(0), a880. https://doi.org/10.4102/sajhrm.v15i0.880
12. Indraningsih, K., Ashari, A., Syahyuti, S., Anugrah, I., Suharyono, S., Saptana, S., Iswariyadi, A., Agustian, A., Purwantini, T., Ariani, M. & Mardiharini, M. (2023). Factors influencing the role and performance of independent agricultural extension workers in supporting agricultural extension. Open Agriculture, 8(1), 20220164. https://doi.org/10.1515/opag-2022-0164
13. Joshi, R. and Narayan, A. (2019) Performance Measurement Model for Agriculture Extension Services for Sustainable Livelihood of the Farmers: Evidences from India. Theoretical Economics Letters, 9, 1259-1283. doi: 10.4236/tel.2019.95082.
14. Kamalimoghadam, N., Ahmadvand, M., & Amiriardakani, M. (2023). Explaining Professional Competencies Needed by Agricultural Parcels’ Extension Agents in the Boyer-Ahmad County. Iranian Agricultural Extension and Education Journal, 18(2), 71-86. Doi: 20.1001.1.20081758.1401.18.2.5.0
15. Lee, Y., An, D., & Kim, T. (2017). The Effects of Agricultural Extension Service on Farm Productivity: Evidence from Mbale District in Uganda. ASA 2017 Annual Meeting Paper, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2935980
16. Maka, L., Ighodaro, I.D., and Ngcobo-Ngotho, G.P. (2019). Capacity development for scaling up Climate-Smart Agriculture (C.S.A.) innovations: agricultural extension’s role in mitigating climate change effects in Gqumashe community, Eastern Cape, South Africa. South Afr J Agric Ext. 2019;47:45–53.Search in Google Scholar
17. Rezaei-Moghaddam, K., & Fatemi, M. (2019). Strategies for Improvement of Agricultural Extension New Approach of Iran. Iranian Agricultural Extension and Education Journal, 15(2), 223-251. doi: 10.22034/iaeej.2020.199832.1450
18. Sattaka, P., Pattaratuma, S., and Attawipakpaisan, G. (2017). Agricultural extension services to foster production sustainability for food and cultural security of glutinous rice farmers in Vietnam. Kasetsart J Soc Sci. 2017; 38:74–80. 10.1016/j.kjss.2016.05.003. Search in Google Scholar
19. Suvedi, M and Stoep, G.V. (2016). Improving the Monitoring and Evaluation of Agricultural Extension Programs, This Discussion Paper was produced as part of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) project “Modernizing Extension and Advisory Services”.
20. Taku, J.D., Njoh, R.N., Meliki, N.S., Amungwa, F.A., and Manu, I.N. (2020). The role of agricultural extension in cocoa production and livelihood of farmers in Meme Division, Cameroon. Asian J Agric Ext Econ Sociol. 2020;38:58–65. 10.9734/ajaees/2020/v38i1130453.Search in Google Scholar
21. Win, N.K., Win, K.K., San, C.C., Htwe, N.N. (2018). Analyzing the roles of agricultural extension agents in hybrid rice technology decision-making process of farmers, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. Econ World. 2018;6:303–13. 10.17265/2328-7144/2018.04.006. Search in Google Scholar
22. Yang, P. & Ou, Y. (2023). Guide for monitoring and evaluation of the public agricultural extension and advisory service system. Rome, FAO. https://doi.org/10.4060/cc4014en
23. Yazdanpanah, M., & Rahimifayzabad, F. (2019). Reasons for the Failure of Agricultural Extension Using Grounded Theory (Case Study: Lorestan Agricultural Jihad). Iranian Journal of Agricultural Economics and Development Research, 50(3), 549-575. doi: 10.22059/ijaedr.2019.269598.668674
24. Yazdanpanah, M., & Rahimifayzabad, F. (2019). Reasons for the Failure of Agricultural Extension Using Grounded Theory (Case Study: Lorestan Agricultural Jihad). Iranian Journal of Agricultural Economics and Development Research, 50(3), 549-575. doi: 10.22059/ijaedr.2019.269598.668674
