An Investigation of Effective Extension and Educational Methods on the Management of Wheat Waste Reduction in Drought Conditions (Case Study: Ilam Province)

The main objective of the present research is to investigate effective educational and extension methods in managing the wheat waste reduction by wheat farmers of Ilam province during drought conditions. This research was an applied type research and survey, descriptive correlation methods was used. The statistical population of the study was comprised of all wheat farmers of Ilam province (N=45000) and 165 farmers were selected through stratified random sampling. The data were gathered through a researcher-made questionnaire and its reliability was measured by using Cronbach Alpha (0.95). The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by a panel of experts. The results of correlation analysis showed that there was a positive and significant relationship between attending extension and educational classes, manager's attention to damaged wheat farmers view point toward drought conditions in recent years, presenting appropriate solutions to reduce wheat waste in drought conditions and dependent variable. According to multiple regression analysis, 39 percent of the changes in dependent variable were explained by two variables of manager's attention to damaged wheat farmers point of view toward drought conditions in recent years and attending extension and educational classes.