A Comparative Analysis of the Extent of Knowledge of, and Application of Information Technology by the Agricultural Extension Professionals in Iran

The new information technologies have provided enormous opportunities and capacities in different scientific areas. Despite this, many countries particularly from south have not been able to make the proper use of the potentials of avilable information technologies. Agricultural extension is one of the areas faced with many obstacles in applying these technologies in its procedures and activities. Given the situation, this study was conducted to compare the extent of IT use by, and knowledge of extension professionals in the country. The statistical population of the study consisted of 1145 extension professionals working throughout the country and in different provinces. A stratified random sampling technique was used, 241 extension experts comprising the sample size of the study. The reliability and validity of the tools of study were conformed by pilot study as well as expert judgment. The results revealed that female extension professionals had a higher knowledge of IT as compared with male professionals. According to the findings training courses offered in IT have just added to the professionals’ knowledge with no effect on the level of application. A regional comparison showed that Fars and Tehran provinces benefited from the highest level of IT knowledge and application among their extension professionals.