Agricultural education
zahra athari; Behrooz Moradi
Abstract
Despite the significant importance of natural resources in sustaining human life, the training of the protection unit force, has not aligned with their educational needs as it should. Therefore the purpose of this descriptive – analytical research was to investigate the educational needs of the ...
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Despite the significant importance of natural resources in sustaining human life, the training of the protection unit force, has not aligned with their educational needs as it should. Therefore the purpose of this descriptive – analytical research was to investigate the educational needs of the protection unit forces of the General Directorate of Natural Resources and Watershed Management of Kermanshah Province using the Borich needs assessment model. The research population consisted of the protection unit forces of the General Directorate of Natural Resources and Watershed Management in Kermanshah Province (N=112), and ultimately, 105 questionnaires were completed. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire. The ordinal coefficient theta (Ө=0.86) and a panel of experts were used to establish its reliability and validity, respectively. Based on the results, the educational needs of the protection unit force in natural resources and watershed management were prioritized as follows: familiarity with GIS software, understanding the rules of criminal procedure and legal claims, and knowledge of laws regarding the carrying of weapons. Exploratory factor analysis revealed that the importance of technical-specialized needs, legal needs, protective-supportive needs, fire prevention and extinguishing needs, and Phytomedicine needs accounted for approximately 79 percent of the variance related to the training needs of the protection unit forces. The results achieved from ordinal regression method indicated that 32 percent of probability criterion variable is explained by variables of age and work history. Training courses on map reading skills and the optimal use of GIS and GPS should be prioritized.
marjan vahedi; shahrbanoo hajiani; Mohammad Bagher Arayesh
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the educational needs of farmers in different stages of planting, holding and harvesting organic tomatoes. This research was applied and a quantitative descriptive research method was used. The statistical population of this research included 31 experts and ...
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The purpose of this study was to determine the educational needs of farmers in different stages of planting, holding and harvesting organic tomatoes. This research was applied and a quantitative descriptive research method was used. The statistical population of this research included 31 experts and all tomato growers in Dashti Township (N=550). Using proportionate stratified random sampling method and based on Cochran formula, 226 of them were selected as the sample. Research instrument to collect data was questionnaire that its content validity confirmed by an expert panel and convergent validity confirmed by calculating CR= 0.81 and AVE=0.73. Ordinal theta (using R software), was calculated to measure reliability of the questionnaire (Θ =0.75 - 0.82). Educational needs were analyzed based on the Bourich model and the most important needs in organic production were identified. So proper soil management and land preparation under cultivation, identify and eliminate pest breeding areas, and planting new cultivars that are resistant to pests and diseases, were identified as the most important educational needs in two groups of farmers and experts. An agreement was reached between these two groups using the Mann-Whitney test and the results showed that these two groups had the same view on most of the educational need items. Based on the findings of ordinal regression, three variables of education, crop yield and area under cultivation had significant effect on the probability of indicating tomato growers' educational needs. Thus, the more educated and productive farmers are, the higher their sense of need.
muhammadsadegh allahyari; masumeh muhammadzadeh; muhammad hosein ansari
Abstract
The purpose of this descriptive-analytical study was to assess the educational needs of Guilan agricultural experts on applying precision agriculture. The statistical population consisted of all experts in different field of agriculture (Agronomy, Horticulture, Extension, Mechanization and Engineering) ...
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The purpose of this descriptive-analytical study was to assess the educational needs of Guilan agricultural experts on applying precision agriculture. The statistical population consisted of all experts in different field of agriculture (Agronomy, Horticulture, Extension, Mechanization and Engineering) in Guilan (N=234). The sample size (n=133) was determined by using Bartlett Minimum Sample Size Table for the given population and cluster sampling method was applied to select them. In order to assess these educational needs, a questionnaire based on Borich Needs Model was provided. Data analysis was performed using SPSS21. These educational needs were analyzed and ranked using Mean Weighted Descriptive Scores (MWDS). Results showed that competencies such as geographic information system and variable rate technology were noticed as the most important priorities for education, respectively. However, information technology was in the last rank in the educational needs list. Findings indicated that all competencies were placed at the high level of importance. Findings of Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests revealed that there was no significant difference between men and women, level of education, attending the prior education program, age, experience and organizational position at 0.05 significant level. Then, there was a contingency on education needs.
