Work Relationships between Extension Subject Matter Specialists and Agricultural Extensionists in Bohaira Governorate
By
HAMDY ABD ELRHMAN MOHMED HASEN El-DEEB
ABSTRACT
This study aims mainly at identifying the reciprocal relationship between Extension subject matter specialists and Agric extensionists and how it can be viable and effective. This can be achieved through the following objectives: 1- identify functional tasks and activities exercised jointly by the SMS and AE and the degree of their collaboration.2- identifying the SMS and AE standpoints as to the importance of their work relationship 3- Exploring types, aspect, and ways of establishing the Current relation ships between the SMS and AE. 4- Assessing the AEs and SMSs ' satisfaction with their current work relationship. 5- Determining obstacles that confront both SMSs and the AEs in carrying out their common tasks. 6- Recognizing the respondents of the SMSs and AEs suggestion to enhance their mutual work relationships.
Two Questionnaires were designed, one was applied to a sample of 87 SMSs and the second was applied to a sample of 168 AEs: The research covers 10 districts at Bohiera governorate: ElDalangate, Abohomos, Shebrakete, Kafr Eldawar, Rashed, ElMahmoudia, Etay elbaroad, Kom Hamada, El Rahmania, and Damanhour.
The study was conducted Throughout August and September 2009 Frequencies, averages, percentages, chi-Square test, and Pearson simple Correlation coefficients are used for analyzing and presenting the results.
The following were the most important findings:
1- The majority of the SMSs and approximately half of the AEs are aged people, rural origins and residence; Two thirds of the SMSs have a high education whereas the majority of the AEs are having intermediate education.
2- The degree of participation between SMSs and AE's in implementing joint extension tasks is relatively moderate. However, it seems more advanced in case of implementing the SMS' tasks.
3- The SMSs and AEs view their work relationships as weak for many reasons: lack of proper material incentives, lack of training courses, and lack of communication channels that access to them, lack of experience and training, and lack of means of transportations for SMS and AEs.
4- To enhance such weak relationship, they suggested different approaches: setting training courses, increasing material incentives, affording more and rapid transference of Recommendations.
5- Two third of both SMS and AEs are satisfied to a great extent about their current work relationship.
6-Both groups agreed upon the importance of the work relationship between them.
Based on the results of this study nine recommendations were suggested for enhancing the work relationship between agric. subject matters and agric. extensions.