THE ROLE OF PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP IN DIFFUSION AGRICULTURAL INNOVATION IN SULAIMANI GOVERNORATE-KURDISTAN REGION-IRAQ

Soz Loqman Faroq; Tahir Mohamad layeeq

doi:10.21271/ZJPAS.38.2.10

Authors

Soz Loqman Faroq University of Sulaimany College of Agricultural Engineering and Science Agribusiness and Rural Development Department
Tahir Mohamad layeeq University of Sulaimany College of Agricultural Engineering and Science Agribusiness and Rural Development Department

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21271/ZJPAS.38.2.10

Keywords:

Agricultural innovation, agricultural professional leadership, leadership style, diffusion

Abstract

The main objective of this research is to identify the role of agricultural professional leadership in the diffusion of agricultural innovation. In addition, it seeks to rank the main fields of this leadership role in innovation diffusion and to analyze its relationship with a set of independent variables. A questionnaire was developed to collect the research data, comprising two main sections: the independent variables and the role of agricultural professional leadership in the diffusion of agricultural innovation. The latter section was organized into two fields: the first field included eleven items addressing the preparation of agricultural innovation, while the second field encompassed nineteen items related to the diffusion of agricultural innovation. The research population comprised all 94 agricultural professional leaders in the extension centers of Sulaimani Governorate, distributed across its districts and sub-districts. The research findings indicated that the role of professional leadership in diffusing agricultural innovation in Sulaimani Governorate was moderate, with the diffusion dimension ranking higher than innovation preparation. Additionally, this role was significantly correlated with age, educational attainment, and attitudes toward innovation, while no significant relationships were found with gender, academic specialization, years of extension service, participation in training programs, or leadership style. Therefore, the researchers recommend involving professional leaders in the development and adaptation of agricultural innovations, not just in their diffusion, and consider experience, educational attainment, and positive attitudes toward innovation as key criteria for their selection and promotion.

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