Explaining Professional Competencies Needed by Agricultural Parcels’ Extension Agents in the Boyer-Ahmad County

Efficient agricultural extension agents with desirable professional qualifications are the drivers of agricultural development. Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim of explaining the professional competencies needed by agricultural parcels’ extension agents in the Boyar-Ahmad County using descriptive-correlational survey method. The statistical population of the research was the agricultural parcels’ extension agents in the Boyar-Ahmad county (N=126). Using the sampling table of Bartlett et al., 84 extension agents were estimated as the sample size and distributed among the population in a simple random manner. A researcher-made questionnaire was used to collect data. The face validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by a panel of experts and subject specialists. The reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed by conducting a pilot study and calculating Cronbach's alpha coefficient (0.90-0.70). The investigated professional competencies were categorized into seven areas, including personal, social, management and planning, research, education, scientific abilities, and agricultural practical skills. The findings showed that the status of all the professional competencies of the extension agents were at an average to above average level, among which, the possession of general competencies (individual and social skills) were ranked first while research and scientific abilities were ranked last. The results of cluster analysis of agricultural extension agents based on the seven professional competencies showed that the agents can be categorized into two categories based on levels of professional competencies: high-competent (n=33) and low-competent (n=51) agents. In addition, all the professional competencies were of great importance to the agents. Therefore, it is suggested to improve the know-how (technical expertise) knowledge and the agricultural practical skills of the extension agents in the fields of “how to cultivate all kinds of agricultural products” and “acquire problem-solving skills”.