Title: Rural women's agricultural knowledge and information systems about agro-food processing including extension education factors

Authors: Reza Movahedi; Jalileh Soleimanian-Boroujeni; Mojhdeh Ketabi

Addresses: Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Faculty of Agriculture, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, 6517833131, Iran ' Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Faculty of Agriculture, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, 6517833131, Iran ' Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Faculty of Agriculture, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, 6517833131, Iran

Abstract: This paper presents some extension and education factors which theoretically may use about agro-food processing programs. The theoretical part of the paper focuses on the importance of agricultural knowledge and information systems (AKIS) and shows the role of information and knowledge in agricultural productions. The data gathering occurs through a researcher-made questionnaire in Gandoman District of Borujen County, Charmahal and Bakhtiari Province, Iran. The statistical population were rural women active in AFP. Of those, 335 people were selected as statistical sample. The questionnaire is structured in three parts, demographical questions, questions about women's AKIS, and extension-training factors. Reliability and validity of the questions calculated and confirmed using PLS method in terms of composite reliability (CR), convergent validity and divergent validity. Data were analysed using SPSS, PLS, correlation tests and regression. The results showed that there is a significant positive relationship between rural women's AKIS about AFP and the variables extension and training factors. The results of regression analysis with regard to R2 coefficient showed that 61.8% of the dependent variable depends on extension and training factors.

Keywords: extension-training factors; agricultural knowledge and information system; AKIS; rural women; agro-food processing; AFP.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEED.2021.118386

International Journal of Education Economics and Development, 2021 Vol.12 No.4, pp.381 - 396

Received: 24 Apr 2020
Accepted: 13 Oct 2020

Published online: 25 Oct 2021 *

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