Technology and innovation transfer on soil and fertilizer management by agricultural extension officers, Department of Agricultural Extension
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Abstract
Background and Objective: Department of Agricultural Extension’s agricultural extension officers play a crucial role in transferring knowledge and technology related to soil and fertilizer management to farmers, which enables them to manage their farms efficiently. The objectives of this research were to examine knowledge, opinions, and knowledge transfer regarding technology and innovation in soil and fertilizer management, as well as factors related to the technology and innovation transfer of agricultural extension officers.
Methodology: A random sample of 158 agricultural extension officers was selected from a population of 982 officers in charge of the Community Fertilizer Soil Management Center in 2024. Data was collected using a questionnaire, and the analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, including correlation analysis.
Main Results: Agricultural extension officers had an average of 4.11 years of experience in soil and fertilizer work. They had a very high level of knowledge about technology and innovation in soil and fertilizer management at 88.61%. They agreed with the highest level of technology and innovation in soil and fertilizer management (Mean = 4.22), particularly in relation to the use of organic fertilizers, soilless cultivation, knowledge of plant growth, fertilizer application based on soil analysis, efficient fertilizer use, and fertigation system. More than 93.00% of them transferred knowledge of technology and innovation in soil and fertilizer management. Also, we found that their gender, age, education level, position, experience with soil and fertilizer, working units, knowledge, and opinions were not related to the technology and innovation transfer in soil and fertilizer management.
Conclusions: Agricultural extension officers conveyed the importance of soil sampling and the benefits of soil analysis, in line with the Department of Agricultural Extension's policy. Moreover, they needed easy-to-understand media to support the demonstration plots and facilitate learning for farmers.
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