The Reality of using Information and Communications Technology in Agricultural Extension work/Iraq

Abstract

The manuscript aimed to identify the reality of using information and communications technology in agricultural extension work in Iraq, the questionnaire was prepared as a tool for collecting data from agricultural extension workers. It included (99) paragraphs  distributed into (19) paragraphs for the aim (the reality of using information and communication technology In agricultural extension work) and (56) paragraphs  for the first field (use of information technology), and (24) paragraphs  for the second field (use of communications technology). The area where the research was conducted included the provinces of Iraq, except for the provinces  of the Kurdistan region, which number (15) provinces . A sample was chosen. A random percentage of (50)% of the provinces  (Baghdad, Basra, Dhi Qar, Najaf, Babylon, Karbala, Anbar, Kirkuk). The research community included workers in agricultural and agricultural extension, numbering (773) respondents. A proportional, stratified random sample was chosen with a percentage of (33.1). % of the manuscript community (256) respondents, The results of the manuscript concluded that the percentage in the field of use of information and communication technology in agricultural extension work was weak and amounted to (41.1%), and with regard to the field of information technology and its use in extension work only, the average tended to be low, with an arithmetic mean of (2.34) degrees, and a standard deviation of (1.23). degree, and with regard to the field of communications technology and its use in extension work, it was average, with an arithmetic mean of (2.73) degrees, and a standard deviation of (1.28) degrees, The researcher reached the most important conclusions, stating that despite the governmental trends and interest in the Ministry of Agriculture and its formations in the field of information and communications technology, the use of modern technologies, means of communication, application programs, and the diversity of uses of social networking sites in extension work was not at the required level, The researcher recommends the necessity of providing devices and equipment for modern information and communication systems for the extension organization in line with the requirements of extension work, and preparing and implementing awareness raising training programs. Specialized in information and communications technology within the annual plan prepared by the Agricultural Extension and Training Department to develop the skills and capabilities of workers and improve their performance, in addition to the necessity of providing a wide ranging and comprehensive Internet network for all geographical regions

for agricultural extension work to cover and implement extension activities and programs.