Factors influencing sustainability of private extension services from the perspective of public sector experts in Zanjan and Qazvin provinces

This study examined the major effective factors on sustainability and continuity of private extension services from the perspective of public sector experts in Qazvin and Zanjan province based on the Structural Equation Modeling. The population of this study comprised public sector experts who worked in Agricultural Extension Services Centers in Qazvin and Zanjan provinces (N=241). The study sample consisted of 148 public sector experts selected through stratified random sampling. A questionnaire was utilized for data collection. Validity was confirmed by face validity, convergent validity, and content validity and reliability was calculated using Composite Reliability and Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Data was analyzed using Smart-PLS software based on Partial Least Squares approach. The findings showed that the infrastructure, education & extension, and economic factors had the most positive and significant effect on the sustainability and continuity of private extension activities from the perspective of public sector experts in Qazvin and Zanjan province, respectively. Due to the impact of the infrastructure factor, the organization of private extension network by the Agricultural Jihad Organization at first and the implementation of supportive policies to set up consulting start-ups such as information, education and culture to accept the culture of private promotion in the region, and accept A portion of the private promotion fee is offered.