Finding failure of Interdisciplinary Approach in Agricultural Higher Education; Case: Agricultural Extension and Education

Interdisciplinary curriculum development is one of the strategies for reforming higher agricultural education. This qualitative research aimed to diagnose interdisciplinary approach in higher agricultural education based on Agricultural Extension and Education as a case. Information was gathered through semi-structured interviewing with a selected sample (n=44) of faculty members, researchers, experts, agents and managers of agricultural extension and education. Using multiple coding process of grounded theory, the interview's contents were analyzed. Findings were formatted in a matrix structure, including open codes, axial codes, and selective codes. According to matrix of findings, main issues and constraints of interdisciplinary approach in higher agricultural education classified in 6 conceptual categories in three area or level, as: theoretical and conceptual issues, educational and training issues, issues of research and delivering of research findings, professional issues (inside of interdisciplinary area), academic development issues (inside of university area), and institutional and operational issues (outside of university area).