Position of extension approaches in sustainable development of agriculture in Iran

Document Type : Original Article

Abstract

      In extension work, indeed, approaches form the essence of an extension system, in which target populations are offered a variety of messages provided by extension system/systems.   In this research, the most important characteristics, constraints and advantages of the well- known extension approaches all over the world are delineated ,however, in brief .It then examines, on an analytical basis, the viewpoints of national extension specialists in terms of level of employing each individual approach in both concerned ex-ministries , i.e. ministry of Jihad-e Sazandegi (moj) and ministry of agriculture (moa);as well as the capability of the approaches to be used in ministry of Jihad-e agriculture (moja).  In terms of the type of extension approach employed by moa, findings well reveal general agricultural extension approach as the dominant one. According to respondents, commodity specialized approach, technical change approach and project approach come respectively after the above - mentioned foremost approach.  Respondents regard, however, participatory approach and general extension approach as the most widely – used approaches in moj.   Findings also reveal that approaches like participatory extension, farming systems research and extension (FSRE), and integrated rural development are more capable of being used as appropriate extension approaches for moja.