The Role of Agricultural Cooperatives in Implementing Agricultural Extension Services at Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate

Elkashef, Ola Mamdouh; F. I. Ali, Manal

doi:10.21608/asejaiqjsae.2022.221473

The Role of Agricultural Cooperatives in Implementing Agricultural Extension Services at Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Agricultural Extension Education, Faculty of Agriculture (El-shatby). Alexandria University, Egypt

² Agricultural Economics Department - Faculty of Agriculture - Kafr El-Sheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt.

10.21608/asejaiqjsae.2022.221473

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the role of agricultural cooperatives related to the implementation of various agricultural extension services at Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate. The specific objectives of the study focused on identifying agricultural cooperatives' managers opinions regarding implementation of agricultural extension activities in the fields of agricultural extension services. As well as, determining the pitfalls of managing such cooperatives, and the degree of finding solutions to these problems. A simple random sample was selected from directors of local agricultural cooperatives organizations in the governorate. The total sample size of 103 respondents according to Krejcie and Morgan equation. Field data was collected using personal interviews questionnaire. Means, percentages, relative mean, standard deviation and range were used as tools for statistical analysis. The most important results were as follows: 89.3% and 68% of respondents admitted that the researched agricultural cooperatives have a low and medium level in implementing activities related to the fields of agricultural extension work. It was also found that the application of educational services ranked first with a relative average of 1.45 degrees, while the implementation of material services came in the second order with a relative average of 0.93 degrees, from the viewpoint of respondents. The major shortcoming in the provision of material extension services of the researched agricultural cooperatives were represented in contributing for crops marketing to members cooperatively, and the provision of improved and guaranteed poultry breeds, while the major shortcoming in the extension educational role was exemplified -in descending order- in the lack of the following program areas: efficiency in marketing, rural youth development, conservation and maintenance of land resources, and agricultural business management. The results also showed that although many pitfalls in managing the researched agricultural cooperatives as reported by 58% of respondents, the degree of solving those pitfalls is low, as mentioned by 66% of director. The major pitfalls were lack of organization, shortage in personnel training and development, as well as, unavailability of funds and lack of coordination with relevant and concerned organizations. The study concluded certain some conclusions and recommendations to be considered to enhance the extension educational role of the agricultural cooperatives.

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