Evaluating the effectiveness of Attendant With Farmer project: Study of paddy rice farmers in the Amol Township

Goal of this study was aimed to examine and evaluate the role of paddy rice farmer's education under the project of Hamagam Ba Keshavarz based on Kirkpatrick's model in the Amol Township. The study was carried out by using a survey and causal-comparative method. The targeted population of this study consisted of 2,500 farmers who were participating in the project in 2016. Using Cochran's formula and simple random sampling method; 240 paddy rice farmers were selected as sample. A questionnaire was used to collect data. To determine the validity and reliability of the data collection instrument; the opinions of experts and calculating Cronbach's alpha coefficient and ordinal theta were used, respectively. Cronbach's alpha coefficient and ordinal theta indicated that research instrument was reliable in various sectors (≥0/84). The analysis of data carried out using SPSS software. Results of descriptive statistics showed that HBK project had influenced in level on learning and behavioral characteristics of the farmers. In addition, most of paddy rice farmers had good reaction toward the project. Educational effect of HBK project, using binomial test showed that practical means of the reactional and behavioral characteristics in the project were significantly higher of the theoretical means. Furthermore, the paired t- test results showed that HBK educational project were largely effective in improving knowledge of paddy rice farmers and rice production.