CASE STUDY: REASONS FOR FARMERS’ RELUCTANCE TO ATTEND SEMINARS AND EXTENSION COURSES IN ANBAR GOVERNORATE, IRAQ

Explanatory farms were established with extension centers in all governorates, for the purpose of providing services to farmers, and raising their standard of living and economy alike, while conveying information and modern skills in agriculture.The study was conducted in Anbar Governorate, which are (Khairat Al-Karmeh, Al-Dawar, Heet) farms out of 6 extension farms in Anbar Governorate, which represent 33% of the total area of Iraq.A questionnaire form was prepared to achieve the objectives of the study, and the (SPSS) program was used to analyze the data, and frequencies and percentages were used for a total of 91 farmers.The results showed that 82.6% of farmers were males, and families were more than 5 individuals at a rate of 72.8%.Most of the farmers worked in plant and animal production together at a rate of 56.5%.Their agricultural holdings were the highest percentage for those who owned their lands (pure ownership) at a rate of 50%.Most farmers were not aware of the existence of extension farms near their departments (82.6%).In addition, their relationship with the departments was not good (71.7%).The results also showed that farm employees do not have the appropriate experience and information (87.3%).The extension departments didn't participate with farmers in preparing the courses they need (66.3%).Most farmers do not know when these seminars will be implemented (80.4%).The results showed that there are no social media between them and these departments (56.5%).The relationship was also not good between them and these departments.Also, indicated that the extension work implemented by these departments is not useful (57.6%).The further we move away from the perimeter of the extension departments, the communication between farmers is very weak and limited only to village dignitaries and a small number of farmers.