Strategic Planning for Development of Cooperative Extension System in Iran

Current applied research was aimed to analyze the situation and formulate strategies for development of cooperative extension system through strategic planning approach was implemented in two stages. In first stage systematic literature review the situation of cooperative extension was analyzed through a systematic literature review. In this way 44 external factors (18 opportunities and 26 threats) and 35 internal factors (17 strengths and 18 weaknesses) are identified. In second stage finding of first stage was used to formulate a questionnaire to assess and develop strategies based on SWOT technique and Quantitative Strategic Planning Matrix (QSPM). Finding of second stage revealed that final score of external factors for extension cooperative activities is 2.356. This implies that cooperative sector couldn’t benefit from opportunities factors or avoids threats factors. Moreover final score of internal factors for extension cooperative activities are 2.795. This implies that effective internal factor for extension cooperative activities are strength. Regarding cell number five in internal and external matrix, conservative strategies are accepted in strategic planning for development of cooperative extension system. Finally by QSPM technique attractiveness of strategies is specified.