Necessity and validation of the Pro-Poor Agricultural Extension Model Based on the Perspective of Agricultural Extension Staff in Fars Province

Nowadays, agricultural extension as a non-formal education system that attempts to improve the rural life has faced important challenges such as rural poverty. The perquisite of directing the activities toward reducing poverty is to enhance the extension staff’s attitude and the use of appropriate approach. This research was consisted of two qualitative and quantitative segments. The objective of quantitative part was to examine the necessity of poverty-oriented agricultural extension based on extension staff’s attitude and the purpose of qualitative part was to validate the pro-poor agricultural extension model. Based on a random proportional stratified sampling, 192 of agricultural extension staff in Fars province were selected and the quantitative data were collected according to survey method and using a questionnaire. The research findings revealed that about 55 percent of extension staff had positive attitude toward poverty-oriented agricultural extension. After determining the extension staff’s attitude, the pro-poor agricultural extension model has been examined and validated in a formal meeting of 33 attended extension staff. Finally, based on research findings, some applicable recommendations have been presented.