PARTICIPATION OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICES IN THE FIELD OF FISH-FARMS PRACTICES IN MIDDLE PROVINCES OF IRAQ

Abstract

The objective of this to determine the level of Agricultural Extension services provided to fish farmers in middle provinces of Iraq. A sample of 50% of the middle province was chosen. These provinces were Wasit, Babelon, Dewaniah and Najaf. The study also included a randomized sample of 95 of the fish farmers (keepers) from the above mentioned provinces. A scale of five grades was developed to measure the level of Agricultural Extension services presented to the farmers. The scale was consisted of 26 items distributed on five domains, that were environmental extension, nutrition, culturing, fishing and marketing. The study revealed a weak participation of extension in the field of fish-farms. The statistical analysis indicated that the level of extension participation was 42.2 out of 104 degree which represents the maximum attainable degree.