Walid Kaakeh^*(1)

(1). Department of Aridland Agriculture, College of Food and Agriculture, UAE University, Al-Ain, U.A.E.

(*Corresponding author: Dr. Walid Kaakeh. Email: wkaakeh@hotmail.com).

Received: 13/07/2016                                      Accepted: 01/09/2016

Abstract

This research was conducted during March-May 2007 to identify demographic characteristics of the UAE extension agents, and determine extension agents’ levels of need and frequency of use for the different types and specific forms of agricultural information sources used in their daily practices.  Survey forms were mailed to 100 agricultural extension agents. The study showed the need of extension agents for written, specialized and personal information sources.  Also, the results exhibited higher levels of use for written forms of information sources, and lower levels of use for electronic, personal, specialized, and audio and visual information sources.  Those results are of interest to policy makers and agricultural decision makers for identifying the need of agricultural extension.

Key Words: Agricultural information exchange, Extension agent, Information source, Frequency and level of use.

Full paper: Assessing the use of agricultural information sources by the extension agents in the United Arab Emirates.

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