JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION ADMINISTRATION RESEARCH
Year:2020 | Volume:- | Issue:52|Papers Count:10

The study of higher education policies of developed countries in the design and development of university entrepreneurship ecosystem has become one of the new and important research topics in the field of higher education and university entrepreneurship ecosystem. Therefore, changing the approach of universities from educational and research planning to approach Creating a university entrepreneurial ecosystem has attracted the attention of the world’ s leading universities. Due to the lack of experience in the agricultural sector, the ecosystems of the fledgling agricultural business system should be identified using the teachings of pioneering entrepreneurship departments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ecological model of university entrepreneurship system based on Eisenberg model and with emphasis on higher education in the country from the perspective of experts in start-ups, which was practical in terms of purpose and was implemented using a questionnaire. The statistical population of the study included 1550 graduate students from five universities of Ilam, Kurdistan, Razi, Lorestan and Bouali Sina universities, using the Bartlett table, 315 of them were performed by cluster method with appropriate proportion and sampling. To measure the validity of the research instrument, a diagnostic validity method was used, the value of which was higher than AVE≥ 0. 5 for acceptable structures. In order to determine the reliability, a composite reliability method was used, the value of which was higher than CR≥ 0. 6 for the studied structures and was acceptable. The value of the sequential theta coefficient was also calculated for structures higher than θ ≥ 0. 7 In order to process the data, exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were used. Then, the measurement model showed that the conceptual modeling factors of academic entrepreneurship climate in agricultural colleges in western Iran, including supportive factors of support, economic, political, political, socio-cultural governance, interactions, networking and human capital, play the greatest role in forming an academic entrepreneurial ecosystem. They have in agricultural colleges.

Knowledge management in the agricultural sector for agricultural access to technical knowledge and research findings is one of the main views of the agricultural extension system. With the stabilization of knowledge management, all experts, researchers and farmers will be able to access the knowledge of the agricultural sector and other required information. The purpose of this study was to analyze the factors affecting the implementation of knowledge management in the Iranian agricultural extension system. The research method was mixed and exploratory sequential type. This research has used the cause-correlation method. The statistical population of the research is 327 effective employees in knowledge management in agricultural extension. The sample size was determined using Morgan table, about 202 people and were selected by stratified random sampling with proportional assignment. The research tool was a researcher-made questionnaire with six sections of knowledge management, leadership and organizational management, organizational dimensions, organizational culture, information and communication technology and human resource management. The reliability of the questionnaire was determined by Cronbach’ s alpha coefficient, which was higher than 0. 9 for most structures. The formal validity and content of the questionnaire were confirmed by a group of faculty members of Agricultural Extension and Education of Khuzestan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and the Institute of Agricultural Education and Extension. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to evaluate the construct validity of the questionnaire and structural equation model with AMOS software was used to present the research model. In this study, the results of correlation test showed that there is a significant relationship between the components of factors affecting the implementation of knowledge management with knowledge management in the agricultural extension system. The results of the research model test showed that the fit of the model with the data was appropriate and the impact factor of the four factors of leadership and organizational management, )0. 49( organizational dimensions, )0. 62( organizational culture, )0. 56( information and communication technology )0. 57( and human resource management )0. 63( were significant on the implementation of knowledge management in the agricultural extension system And the structure of human resource management has the greatest impact on the implementation of knowledge management.

Planning in the Agricultural Extension System for its systematic and moderate development in order to achieve food security requires the identification, explanation and presentation of solutions compatible with the internal and external environment of this system. Therefore, the goal of this study was to identify, explain and provide solutions to improve the performance of the extension system to achieve food security. The statistical population of the study was 130 policy makers and experts on agricultural extension and development in the country who were counted. In order to examine the importance and applicability of each of the solutions mentioned by the experts, the results of their views by the experts of Jihad Agricultural Centers in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad province was examined. To conduct the research, the desired solutions were identified, studied and refined in three rounds through Delphi method. Then, using the technique and method of content analysis, it was classified into two main categories of macro and local solutions. Macro-solutions fall into three categories: structural, infrastructural, and cultural, and local solutions fall into four sub-categories: structural, infrastructural, research, and cultural. Finally, Nvivio software was used to provide a comprehensive model of strategies to improve the performance of the extension system to achieve food security. Findings from the software showed that human resources training in the field of food security, attention to the tangible and intangible needs of users, transparency of the functional areas of the extension system to move in the direction of food security, knowledge promotion and well-being. Providing training in line with global standards of food security is one of the most obvious ways to improve agricultural extension & education to achieve food security.

The higher education system, as the most obvious manifestation of human resource investment, plays a key role in training and providing effective human resources. The agricultural higher education system is no exception to this rule. But, the question is, what should such a system look like for optimal impact on human resource development? This study aimed to analyze the gap between current and desirable situations of agricultural higher education system factors affecting human resources development )HRD (in Yazd province. The statistical population consisted of faculty members of Yazd agricultural higher education and research centers (N= 253), 163 of whom were selected based on Krejcie and Morgan table using stratified random sampling method. The research instrument was a researcher-made questionnaire which its face validity was confirmed by a panel of agricultural higher education experts. The reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed by ordinal theta for both parts of current status (0. 81≤ θ ≤ 0. 87) and desirable status (0. 83≤ θ ≤ 0. 93). In order to process the data using SPSS24 and R software, in addition to descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney test was used to compare faculty members ’ viewpoints towards the current and desirable situations of agricultural higher education system factors affecting human resources development. The results indicated a significant gap between the current status and the desired status of four factors influencing HRD )respectively increase in gap) including“ job and skill competence of human resources“ , ” process of training and educational planning“ , ” balance in supply and demand and interaction with economic sectors“ and ” development of innovation in the agricultural higher education system. ”

In today’ s technological environment, innovation is essential for organizations and is the secret of their survival. The application of innovations (market innovation, production innovation, process innovation, innovation in behavior, innovation in strategy) especially in the field of production methods and distribution of agricultural products and products in agricultural cooperatives, helps in dynamic markets against fluctuations. External environment, be flexible and achieve their long-term goals. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of group learning in training courses offered by the Ministry of Cooperatives, Labor and Social Welfare on the application of innovations and whether components of group learning (promoters) can play an effective role in increasing the application of innovations in agricultural cooperatives., is. Causal-comparative research method and statistical population of the study included members of agricultural cooperatives in Tehran province in the fields of agriculture and horticulture (N = 10180). The sample size was determined based on Cochran’ s formula of 335 people. In this research, a researcher-made questionnaire consisting of several sections with Likert scale was used. These questionnaires were distributed in a stratified manner with proportional assignment among 335 members of the mentioned agricultural cooperatives. The content validity of the questionnaires was confirmed by several experts, members of the board of directors of agricultural cooperatives and cooperative experts of the Ministry of Cooperatives, Labor and Social Welfare. Its reliability was also confirmed by sequential theta and combined reliability. The results of the research using structural equations showed that from the perspective of members of agricultural cooperatives, group learning has a positive, direct and significant effect on the application of innovation and can play an effective role in increasing the application of innovation in agricultural cooperatives.

Academic performance of students is one of the main success indicators of academic activities in higher education systems. Much of the education systems’ efforts are aimed at achieving high academic performance. In this regard, the main purpose of present study was to analyze the effects of information literacy, self-directed learning, critical thinking, and academic self-efficacy on academic performance of agricultural higher education students. This research is an applied study. The statistical population was agricultural students of Iran public universities (N=236973). From whom 386 students were selected as a sample through stratified random sampling method. Research tool was a researcher-made questionnaire which its validity confirmed by a group of Shiraz University’ s experts in the field of “ agricultural extension and education” and “ educational sciences” . Ordinal theta coefficients demonstrated an acceptable reliability for the research tool (θ =0. 71-0. 78). The results of path analysis showed that the four variables self-directed learning, information literacy, academic self-efficacy, and critical thinking skills had significant positive effects on academic performance of agricultural students. Furthermore, the independent variables could account for 35. 8 per cent of the variance of academic performance of agricultural students. Finally agricultural universities and colleges were recommended to make changes in their educational processes in order to increase academic performance of students.

Today, excessive consumption of fertilizers and chemical pesticides in agricultural production has caused environmental problems and posed a serious threat to the health of consumers. So, it is important to pay attention to organic farming. The purpose of this study was to determine the educational needs of farmers in different stages of planting, holding and harvesting organic tomatoes. This research was applied and a quantitative descriptive research method was used. The statistical population of this research included 31 experts and all tomato growers in Dashti Township (N=550). Using proportionate stratified random sampling method and based on Cochran formula, 226 of them were selected as the sample. Research instrument to collect data was questionnaire that its content validity confirmed by an expert panel and convergent validity confirmed by calculating CR= 0. 81 and AVE=0. 73. Ordinal theta (using R software), was calculated to measure reliability of the questionnaire (Ө =0. 75-0. 82). Educational needs were analyzed based on the Bourich model and the most important needs in organic production were identified. So proper soil management and land preparation under cultivation, identify and eliminate pest breeding areas, and planting new cultivars that are resistant to pests and diseases, were identified as the most important educational needs in two groups of farmers and experts. An agreement was reached between these two groups using the Mann-Whitney test and the results showed that these two groups had the same view on most of the educational need items. Based on the findings of ordinal regression, three variables of education, crop yield and area under cultivation had significant effect on the probability of indicating tomato growers' educational needs. Thus, the more educated and productive farmers are, the higher their sense of need. The results of this research can be used by experts, extension agents and planners in developing educational and training programs.

Achieving sustainability, profitability and productivity in the agricultural sector requires the development and exploitation of appropriate technology resulting from agricultural research and the promotion of innovation in this sector. The decision-making process for the adoption of innovation for farmers in developing countries is complicated. Individual characteristics, perceptions, beliefs, attitudes are intriduced as important factors influencing the acceptance of innovations. Given the importance of the innovation acceptance process in recent decades, many theories and models have been proposed regarding acceptance process. One of the notable models for decision-making and acceptance of innovation is the integrated theory of acceptance and use of technology. In terms of technology acceptance, this model demonstrates the intertwining of the main structures of several well-known models of variance with the intention of using behavior. The total population of farmers in Delfan city was 18, 000 households according to the statistical yearbook of 2016, and considering its extent, using the Cochran’ s formula, a statistical sample consisting of 250 heads of households was assigned proportionally and then randomly selected. Accordingly, the present paper examines the use of an integrated acceptance model and the use of technology to adopt innovations among farmers. The results showed that among the dimensions expressed for the tendency to accept innovation, performance expectation, hope for effort and intention to use are more important and the lowest score recorded by farmers are social conditions, facilitating conditions and practical use, respectively.

The purpose of this study was investigating the factor affecting motivation of rural youth toward vocational agricultural school in Kermanshah and Ravansar counties. In terms of goal, data collection and data analysis the study was an applied, survey and correlation descriptive research respectively. The target population consisted of boye and girls students in the third grad of high school first in Kermanshah and Ravansar counties in the 2018-2019 years (N=3455). Sample size determined using table Bartlet et al as 350 people and stratified random sampling method was used as a sampling method. The main research instrument was questionnaire which its validity confirmed by the panel of expert and reliability was used cronbachs alpha coefficient. The results indicated that 21% respondents had the positive towards vocational agricultural school. The correlation coefficient shows that there is a significant relationship between individual factor, social factor, political factor, economic factor, challenge and ambiguity tolerance with the motivation of rural youth in recruiting vocational centers and agricultural secondary education. Rrsult of ordinal regression analysis showed that social factor, political factor, Feeling of belonging to the village, Satisfaction with life in the village, Interest in agricultural work had a positive impact. But the economic Factor and pragmatism had a negative impact toward motivation to continuing education in agricultural.

The Social capital is informal social relations that lead to the development of cooperation among human resources and its improvement in agricultural skills training centers improves the performance of individuals, groups and institutions in these centers to communicate with the labor market and the prosperity of production and the creation of civil society. The purpose of this study was to present a model of social capital improvement in agricultural skills training centers. The research methodology was qualitative and the Grounded Theory and purposive sampling method was used. The statistical population included members of the faculty of different departments of agricultural colleges in Mazandaran province that had educational and research experiences in the field of skills training as well as social capital and had a cooperative background especially with the Jihad of Agriculture and training and research centers. The data collection process continued until the theoretical saturation and useful threshold were reached. Accordingly, 22 faculty members in the groups of education and extension (8 people), agricultural economics (4 people), rural development (4 people) and agricultural management (6 people) were interviewed as a sample. Max QDA10 Software and the Struss and Corbin coding strategy (open coding, axial and selective coding) were used for data analyzing. CVR (Content Validity Ratio) and CVI (Content Validity Index) were used to determining the degree of agreement and validity of each index from the experts’ point of view. The results showed that the calculated value for both was 0. 8 Based on the research findings, a model was designed that included causal, contextual, interventioner, phenomenon, strategies and outcomes. To validate of the model, a questionnaire based on the 9 scale was designed and provided to the experts participating in the research process. As a result, the proposed model was desirable.