AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION NEEDS OF RABBIT BREEDERS IN ALEXANDRIA GOVERNORATE

Document Type : Original Article

Abstract

This research aims at identifying the extension needs of rabbitbreeders in Alexandria. Alexandria was selected because it is a majorgovernorate in rabbits' production and comes in the second place across thecountry in terms of number of rabbit farms. Data was collected throughinterview questionnaire of random sample of rabbit breeders n= 57. Means,
repetitive charts, percentage, Pearson correlation and multiple regressionwere used for statistical analysis.The results showed that 70,18% of the respondents had high andmedium extension needs in rabbit breeding field. A significant positive relationwas found between the breeders' extension needs and; the quantity of rabbitsand rabbit mean weight upon sale P=0,01. Also a negative relation was foundbetween the dependent variable and; number of education years, full timework at the farm and total annual income P= 0,05. The relation between thedependent variable and; years of experience in rabbit breeding field,agriculture information source, degree of exposure to extension activities and
methods, utilizing extension exposure P= 0,01 was a negative significant one.The following independent variables were found of significant impact at P=0,01: the ability to change, years of experience in rabbit breeding field,number of rabbits, sources of agricultural information, based of t values; -4,228, -3,467, 2,741 and 2,625 respectively. Also the following variables;mean rabbit weight at sale, degree of exposure to extension activities andmethods based on t values -1,480, -1,185 and -1,127 respectively at P= 0,05were of significant impact. These variables also account for about 76% of the
changes in extension needs of rabbit breeders based on R2 = 0,756. Themajor problems facing rabbit breeders were; increase in feed price, artificialfeed lack of quality, lack of technology, lack of good references in rabbitproduction field, bad condition of cooling systems, lack of continuous rabbitmarket and lack of head resisting breeds.