Abstract:
This study aimed to identify the training needs of agricultural extension agents in the Kafr El-Sheikh governorate regarding climate changes, their sources of knowledge, the role they played, and the challenges that hindered their role coping with climate changes. Data were collected through a questionnaire from 105 respondents from August to September 2021. Findings unveiled that 55.2% of the respondents fell into the age group 48-54 years, 81.9% of respondents had University Education, and 81.9% of respondents were specialized in agricultural extension. Colleagues were the most important sources of information about climate changes for the respondents., Newspapers, magazines, and radio programs came in lagging ranks as an information source. The results further showed that the respondents had good knowledge about climate change. Agricultural extension agents have undertaken many activities to reduce the negative effects of climate change including, raising farmers' awareness about the dangers of burning agricultural waste 67.6%, the importance of preserving and maintaining natural resources 61%, and the importance of planting adapted varieties to climate change 2.55%. The most important obstacles facing the respondents were the difficulty of accessing weather information promptly, lack of training courses, and lack of a clear extension policy to confront this phenomenon.
Keywords:
Training
,
Agricultural extension
,
Needs
,
Climate change
,
Extension role
,
Kafr ElSheikh