Chawan Mohammed Hamasalih

The research objective is preparing an extension program to reduce tomato post-harvest waste through four sub-objectives, which were: Describe the respondents’ sociodemographic characteristics, rank the suggested scopes of the program, rank the suggested items of the program, and compare the respondents’ opinions toward the suggested program. The research area was Sulaimani governorate in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). The sample of research consisted of all specialists in vegetable crops in the Sulaimani University and the organizations of agriculture in the Sulaymani Governorate (Agricultural extension and Agricultural research directorate), which were 83 respondents. The information was gathered using in-person interviews with respondents who completed a questionnaire, which included two parts. The first section was some questions about the social and demographic characteristics of the respondents, and the second section was a proposed program to reduce post-harvest tomato waste, which consisted of six scopes (Harvesting and Collecting, Separating and Product Hierarchy, Packaging, Transferring, Storing, and Marketing). The finding shows that all the scope and items suggested to the program were approved by the respondents; accordingly, they remained in the program’s final version. Along with this, there is no significant difference between the opinions of class one (Agricultural Extensionists & Researchers at Agricultural Research Center), and class two (University Teachers) in the academic and professional spheres. It is advised that the appropriate agricultural authorities and extension organizations embrace and carry out the proposed agricultural extension program to lower post-harvest waste in tomato production. The program closes significant gaps in the knowledge, handling practices, and post-harvest management techniques of tomato producers.

Agricultural extension staff deliver farmers relevant and up-to-date market information, technical advice, and support on various agricultural production-related. The research objectives were to determine the role of agricultural extension workers in increasing potato farmers’ knowledge regarding production and marketing to enhance their products, and it is based on some personal variables. Sulaymaniyah governorate was selected to conduct this research as a region.The research population included the extension workers in the agricultural extension directorate,the research sample included all extension workers which were (76 extension workers) in the targeted area. The data was collected through a questionnaire consisting of two parts. The findings show thatthe role of agricultural extension workers ranked as medium to high, it implies that they have a significant role in improving potato farmers’ expertise in potato production and marketing to enhance their products. Additionally, there is a significant difference in the role ofextension workers in raising potatofarmers' knowledge of potato production according to thesepersonal variables(age, level of education, gender, specialty, and communication methods). Similarly, there is a significant difference in the role ofextension workers in raising potato farmers' knowledge of potato marketing according to thesepersonalvariables (age, level of education, gender, family status, specialty, and communication methods). To assist potato farmers, it was recommended that extension agents be given certain supplies and equipment, and provide training programs.

The aim of this study was to determine the role of rural women in production and marketing of agricultural products in Zalm village, and identify the differences in production and marketing of agricultural products of rural women’s role according to some variables (Age, Level of Education, Marital status, number of family, Standard of Living, Profession and Women’s income). The research population involved all women in zalm village included (50) women. The data was collected through personal interviews; questionnaire was prepared for this purpose, to confirm the validity the questionnaire was reviewed by some experts. The results showed that the Role of rural women’s in Agricultural production was medium tend to low, while the Role of rural women’s in marketing of agricultural products was low tend to medium. The results indicated significant differences in women’s role of agricultural production according to (Level of Education, Standard of Living, and profession), while no-significant differences according to (age, Marital status, number of family, Women’s income), also The results appeared significant differences in women’s role of agricultural marketing according (Level of Education, and profession), while no significant differences according (age, Marital status, number of family, Standard of Living, Women’s income). Depending on the results we conclude that the work in the agricultural sector has changed due to the lack of government support for farmers in terms of providing agriculture Requirements for production or marketing of their products. The result shows that the level of education affects the role of women in production and marketing, as well as educational levels leads to an increase in their awareness and culture, and the expanding their knowledge of the importance of the agricultural sector. The Researcher recommended encouraging and supporting rural women to engage in agricultural work by the responsible authorities, and increasing their awareness of the importance of working in this field through the use of various extension methods, as well as working to provide agricultural production and marketing requirements so that their potential is properly exploited for the development of the agricultural sector.

This study aimed to Identify the level of organizational obstacles facing the effectiveness of agricultural extension management in Sulaymani Governorate, As well as Identify the variation in the level of organizational obstacles towards it according to the study variables, The data was collected using a questionnaire from the study population consisting of (96) agricultural extension workers representing (100%) of the size of the study population. The results showed that the level of organizational obstacles facing the effectiveness of agricultural extension management is high and tends to be moderate, the field of planning obstacles came in first place compared to other obstacles, and that there is no significant difference in organizational obstacles towards the effectiveness of agricultural extension management with the variables (Age, Specialization, Educational level, Marital status, Years of extension service, Sources of agricultural information, Participation in training courses), while there is a discrepancy with the variable (Satisfaction with work, Gender), Therefore, the researchers recommend the need to improve the planning process, improve the monitoring and evaluation system, and enhance the training capabilities of agricultural extension workers when preparing future agricultural extension programs in the governorate.

Agricultural sector has faced some obstacles and problems in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRG), therefore, a huge number of rural residents have migrated to urban areas because of lack of work opportunities, agricultural technologies, and product marketing problems. This research was conducted in the KRG to find out the importance of current problems related to potatoes production and marketing process in the KRG according to priority; the research population included all potato farmers who were (790 farmers), and the research sample was taken by stratified random sampling comprised (257 farmers) in seven districts, after excluding (22 farmers) for the pre-test. The data were collected using questionnaires, the questionnaire was sectioned into two main parts, the first part was to study the farmers’ socio-demographic profile, and the second part was designed to find out the importance of current problems related to the process of potatoes production and marketing, and the farmers were interviewed face-to-face, afterward, the collected data were analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS version 25). The result shows that most of the farmers suffered from these five significant issues (Absence of state support for exporting potatoes, High price of fertilizer, importing potatoes from abroad, High price of seeds, and High price of pesticides), It implies that the problems were related to the government. Accordingly, governments must play a crucial role in supporting farmers and ensuring the availability of affordable agricultural inputs to assist farmers.

Extension programsmanagement is the most effective section in the field of agricultural extension, to modify and facilitate the extension programs which isdesigned to improve the rural farmer’s production and standard of living utilizing new agricultural information and technology. To approve that,some different research has been conductedrelated to agricultural technology transfer for farmers influenced by agricultural extension programs management. Besides, the extension agents have a vital role in technology transfer to the rural farmers, they optimize their best to persuade the farmers to adopt using technologies in their farming practice.Undoubtedly, managing the effective programs for technology transfer of farmers is seen as the mostinfluential implement to improve farmers to work hard and intelligently, while it is a causal effect to improve the farmers’ income which leads to boost the national income. The extension programshavea massive impact on farmers’ production as a result of utilizing agricultural technologies related to their work. Nonetheless, some constraints associated with extension work for technology transfer should be identified in most countries in the whole world andsome applicable strategies should be developed with extension to make the extension work effective and efficient. One of the most significant issues confronting the mission of agricultural extension is the lack of proper knowledge about the new technologies from farmers toward applying information and technology, therefore, agricultural extension staff must think critically and logically for establishing an effective extension program and work on it well to inform and educate the farmers.