Factors affecting the acceptance of agricultural extension programs with regards to process of agricultural developmentCase study: Wheat farmers in mashhad

The aim of this study was to assess the affects of agricultural extension programs on the promotion of the efficiency, knowledge and technical expertise of farmers. The study also aimed to analyze the factors affecting the acceptance of agricultural extension programs with regards to process of agricultural development. A survey consisting of 137 samples was conducted between wheat farmers in Mashhad. The data was collected and statistically analyzed. The LOGIT model was used to study the factors affecting the acceptance of agricultural extension programs between farmers. The results show that agricultural extension promoted the practical and technical knowledge of farmers, which in turn resulted in increased profits in both wheat production in dry-land farming and irrigated systems. The acceptance of agricultural extension programs had positive influences on farmerُ s actions, views and effeciency. The resultes of the LOGIT model show that there are several factors that reduce the acceptance of agricultural extension programs between farmers. These factors include: age, number of childeren, distance of their home village from the city and their satisfaction in agricultural job and perimeter of their village. In contrast, production, ownership of their land and use of new information and technologies all had a positive affect on the acceptance of agricultural extension programs.