Knowledge Level of Farmers and Extension Agents about the Mint Crop Production in Al-Madinah Al-Monawara.

This study was conducted on the mint farmers and extension agents in Al-Madinah Al-Monawara. The results showed that 76% of farmers were 50 years old or more, and almost all of them born in village and were illiterate. Two mint varieties (Hassawi and Maghrabi) were cultivated in March and surface or drip irrigated. The percentage of farmers using cattle manure fertilizer reached 44%. Farmers did not control diseases, but handily controlled weeds and chemically controlled insects. The main problems of the farmers were weeds effects, high temperature effects, pest effects, irrigation water salinity, and low purchasing price. Mint farmers desired in marketing procedures, increasing mint price, planting improved varieties, pest control and a farmers mint producers committee. The main knowledge sources of farmers were rare, as were the extension services to farmers. Most of the extension agents were 39 years old or more. From them, 80% had secondary certificate only and less than 5 years experience in agricultural extension. Agricultural extension agents stated that the high production equipment price, marketing, storage, high water salinity are the main problems of mint farmers. Planting the improved mint varieties and establishing a farmers committee are the main solutions of the farmers' problems. The main knowledge sources of the extension agents were the agricultural printings, arabic magazines and radio and TV programs. Among the agricultural extension agents 50% reported that the main problems affecting extension effectiveness were low money promotion, large management work and low number of agricultural extension agents in Al-Madinah Al-Monawara region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]