Effective Components in Transformation Agricultural Extension System in Iran

The purpose of this study is to identifying effective components in transformation agricultural extension ýsystem in Iran, that using mixed-method approach which was carried out in four steps. In the first step of the ýstudy, the components of transformative agricultural extension system in some countries (15 countries) were ýexamined by using meta-synthesis of qualitative research methods. In this step 11 components were ýextracted that included centralization, privatization, extended information technology, demand-driven, ýconsultative services, pluralistic extension, strengthening interaction between extension and research centers, ýpolicy reform, environmental support, knowledge management and increasing coverage of rural areas. ýSecond step was conducted by using the Delphi technique and viewpoint of experts of the agricultural ýextension organization and faculty members in agricultural college in Tehran, TarbiyatModares and Shiraz ýý(N= 55) and the agreementsof this target population about identified effective components in step one, was ýobtained. The results of this step showed that the components of the strengthening of interaction between ýextension & research, policy reform, pluralistic extension, decentralization and investment, there were more ýthan 90 percent agreements.In the third step, current situation of agricultural extension system was analyzed ýby experts of agricultural extension organization by using quantitative method and it was determined that ýthe current system of agricultural extension in Iran, considered in decentralization, privatization and ýstrengthening of interaction, more than other components of interest. Finally, in the fourth step, by ýintegration of three previous steps, theory of transformational agricultural extension system based on ýStrauss and Corbin model, by using qualitative method was obtained.ý