THE REALITY OF EXTENSION SERVICES PROVIDED TO WORKERS IN THE PRODUCTION OF VEGETABLES ON FARMS BELONGING TO THE HUSSEINIAN AND ABBASIAN HOLY SHRINES IN THE HOLY CITY OF KARBALA

The research aims to identify the reality of the extension services provided to workers in the vegetable production in the farms of Imam Hussein and Al-Abbas’s shrines by the agricultural and extension departments in the holy Karbala governorate. The research included the vegetable farms belonging to Imam Hussein and Al-Abbas’s holy shrines, as well as the agricultural extension departments that provided extension services to those farms. The research sample was chosen from all the agricultural extension agents in the agricultural extension departments in Karbala governorate, totaling (36) agricultural extension agents. In order to achieve the objectives of the research, the researcher prepared a questionnaire to collect data related to the research topic. It contained a 4-point scale for the reality of extension services provided to workers in vegetable production in the shrine’s farms, which includes (82) paragraphs, to measure the axes of extension services. The research concluded that there are few activities and extension services provided by extension agents in agricultural extension departments. The researcher recommends that the vegetable farms of the two shrines be included in the annual plans to provide activities and extension services by the extension organizations in the governorate. Besides that, these activities should be planned and targeted..


INTRODUCTION
The large demand for food resulting from the increasing human consumption and food industries has led the extension organizations to update their systems and methods.In addition to resort alternative strategies and policies in the provision of extension services in order to achieve food security and economic development in general. Within the framework of the commitment of States to devote maximum available resources to food, States should implement policies that support Commitment to agro-ecological ( 10). Agricultural development depends on a number of factors, including agricultural research and extension services, provision of agricultural inputs, marketing, and financing services, and agricultural policies, as extension performs an important function in enhancing agricultural productivity (5). Therefore, agricultural extension has a very important role in sustainable agricultural development, and the tasks and responsibilities of extension services must be of a broader base and be comprehensive in its content and scope, that is, it goes beyond the transfer of agricultural technologies. Since the regular tasks of disseminating appropriate agricultural technologies and good agricultural practices to farmers have become insufficient. Rather, extension institutions, services, and workers will need to exercise more effective and participatory roles, and extension services need appropriate strategies that support positive and clear agricultural extension policies (19). The importance of planning and implementing agricultural extension programmes with a view to disseminating, disseminating and applying new recommendations, technology and agriculture has been demonstrated (7). The main objective of agricultural extension as an educational system is to bring about desired behavioural changes in knowledge, skills and trends ( 11.). It therefore requires agricultural guides to invest knowledge in a new way, and then share it internally and externally and transfer it quickly and recruitment to improve outreach activities (14). The general perspective of agricultural extension is no longer the common public sector perspective, but a multiinstitutional network that supports knowledge and information for the rural population ( 17). Agricultural techniques and developments are an input to the agricultural system and an important means of increasing production and improving its quality (6). Agricultural extension reform requires a political vision, determination and a viable national strategy (16). Focus on increasing agricultural extension services to prepare for potential agricultural risks (1). For example, in a country with an indicative policy of pluralism, government has a key role to play in coordinating the various actors (9). Given that the agricultural sector in countries is constantly evolving, technology transfer and extension services tend to be discounted, It is therefore important to build a strong publicprivate partnership that will increase productivity and improve the livelihoods of small farming families (18). The agricultural activity in Iraq is of exceptional importance, as it represents the activity in which about a third of the number of workers in Iraq is employed, in addition to the fact that the agricultural gross domestic product is ranked second in financing the gross domestic product after the oil sector. Accordingly, the promotion of this activity calls for the activation of many of its circles, and the issue of a decrease or increase in the percentage of agricultural or arable land from the total land in a country is of importance because it reflects the extent of benefit from agricultural activity (4). On the other hand, vegetable crops occupy an important place in the agricultural field due to the increased demand for them as a result of the steady increase in the population. Besides, the changes that have occurred in the food consumption pattern., as the consumption of vegetables increased rapidly since the beginning of the last century, and with the increase in the industrial and scientific renaissance in the world, health and nutritional awareness increased. This led to an increase in the consumption of foodstuffs of high nutritional value, especially vegetable crops (20). Vegetables are distinguished from other crop groups in that they do not require special industrial treatments before they become suitable for consumption (12). Today, Iraq is the largest importer of agricultural and food commodities, which has led to an increase in food exposure in it to more than 80% due to its dependence on the outside world in providing food (2). Although the area of Iraq amounts to 174.8 million dunams, arable lands are estimated at 28 million dunams, which constitutes 16.1% of the total area of Iraq, while the cultivated area amounted to 14.562 million dunams or 52% of the total arable land. In addition to the existence of large areas of agricultural land affected by sand dunes, which are estimated at (4-5) million dunums (15). Thus, it is necessary to think carefully about how to fill the deficit of food commodities and to take the initiative to secure the people's needs of food, and the implementation of strategic plans that work to reduce the import of foodstuffs and the exhaustion of the country's economy. Based on that, the work carried out by the holy shrines in Karbala (the Holy Imam Hussein and Al-Shrine and the Holy Al-Abbas's shrine) is a distinctive experience in supporting agricultural production in its two parts, plant, and animal. These experiments must be studied for several reasons: Being local experiences superior to production over their counterparts, whether in the government sector represented by the Ministry of Agriculture or the private sector. Otherwise, in terms of using agricultural technologies promoted and published by the Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture and Agricultural Extension and Training Department. As well as employment of manpower in light of the economic crises in the labor market in Iraq. For that reason, the researcher has highlighted those experiences, particularly the reality of extension services provided to workers in the vegetable production for these farms, because these farms have a real contribution to supplementing the local product. Especially in the holy Karbala governorate, and to be a standard for extension work and the dissemination of agricultural technology for the benefit of both the government and private agricultural sectors. Based on that, the research problem aimed to indicate the following question: What is the reality of the extension services provided to workers in the vegetable production in the farms of Imam Hussein and Al-Abbas's shrines by the agricultural and extension departments in the governorate? Identify the reality of the extension services provided to workers in vegetable production in farms belonging to Imam Hussein and Al-Abbas's shrines in the fields of (organization, planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation) by the agricultural and extension departments in the holy Karbala governorate. Lack of extension services provided to workers in vegetable production in farms belonging to Imam Hussein and Al-Abbas's shrines. MATERIALS and METHODS Extensionservices:-The extension activities, events, and programs that are provided to workers in vegetable production to deliver information and educational and extension experiences about their work. Also, providing them with production requirements to improve their knowledge and capabilities and improve production opportunities. The reality of extension services: -The number of activities and extension programs provided to vegetable farmers in the farms of Imam Hussein and Al-Abbas's shrines by the agricultural staff specialized in those farms and agricultural extension departments in the governorate. Vegetable production workers: -Vegetable farmers in the shrine farms, those in charge of agriculture and crop service, the peasant families or working permanently, or a daily wage for the farm staff. The Hussaini Shrine farms: It is the farms that were established by the administration of Imam Hussein shrine within a group of projects affiliated with it. The Abbasid shrine farms: It is the farms that were established by the administration of the Al-Abbas's shrine.

Research Methodology
The current research is aimed within the framework of survey research within the descriptive approach. This approach describes the nature of the current situation and its interpretation by collecting data, knowing opinions, attitudes, and reactions, analyzing and interpreting data, and obtaining the results of the research. Coupled with proposing appropriate solutions and recommendations for workers in vegetable production to improve the reality of the extension services provided to them.

Research area and community
The research included agricultural extension departments that provide extension services to shrines farms in the holy Karbala governorate, which are the extension center and its extension farms in Karbala governorate. As well as, the extension section in the Karbala Agriculture Directorate and the extension units in the agricultural divisions of the directorate. totaling (36) agricultural extension agents.

Data collection tool
To achieve the research objectives, a questionnaire was prepared for collecting data related to the research topic, because the questionnaire is more appropriate to the research methodology used. Accordingly, the questionnaire is one of the commonly used research tools to obtain data and information from the research community. The questionnaire contained a 4-point scale of the reality of extension services provided to workers in vegetable production in the Imam Hussein and Al-Abbas's farms, devoted to measuring the axes of extension services (organization, planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation). The first stage: preparing the axes and paragraphs of the questionnaire in its primary form The research questionnaire was prepared in light of the literature related to agricultural extension and agricultural sciences related to vegetable production, and through research and studies in the field of extension services. In addition to the opinions of experts in agricultural extension and the field of vegetable production, and field visits to the research area (shrines farms of Al-Imam Hussein and Al-Abbas's extension departments in the holy Karbala governorate). It included five main axes (organization, planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation), and the paragraphs were distributed over the previous axes by (30, 20, 10, 17, and 5) paragraphs respectively. Then, the paragraphs constituting these axes amounted to (82) paragraphs. The second stage: the stage of developing the questionnaire (presenting the axes and paragraphs to experts and specialists) The axes and paragraphs of the questionnaire were presented in their primary form to a group of experts and specialists in the fields of agricultural extension. As well as, experts and specialists in the fields of vegetable production and educational counseling, their number reached (10) experts to indicate the level of their agreement thereof and the amendments required to come up with the final version of it. Through a special questionnaire (experts' questionnaire) and through a unified agreement scale consisting of three levels: (agree, agree with the amendment, disagree). The third stage: the stage of calculating the averages of the agreement degrees of the experts on the components of the questionnaire Weights (numerical values) were determined for each statement in the scale of expert agreement of the axes and paragraphs mentioned in the second stage, and as follows, two degrees for the level of agreement, one degree for the level of agreement with the amendment, (zero) degree for the level of disagree. Thus, the scale degree ranged between (0-2) degrees The fourth stage: determining the criterion of expert agreement (the cutoff point) for the proposed scale fields and paragraphs in their final form The cutoff point is a frequently used term in educational and psychological research, as it is the degree that should be achieved by the field or paragraph. Besides, is considered acceptable if it is 75% or more, which is equal to (1.5) degrees or more than the highest degree of the agreement scale. The cutoff point for the axes and paragraphs of the scale has reached 94%. The fifth stage: the stage of preparing the questionnaires in their final form (the domains and the fields and paragraphs in their final form). Based on the results of the previous stage, most of the axes and paragraphs remained the same, with the exception of some slight changes in light of the recommendations of experts at that stage. Thus, one paragraph was deleted from the field of organization and two paragraphs were added in the evaluation field in the axis (description of the evaluation process), and one paragraph was deleted from the same axis, with some slight amendments to the wording of the paragraphs. The sixth stage: the validity and reliability tests of the questionnaire can be subdivided into two categories A-Validity Test: It means the validity of the tool for measuring what was set for its measurement and its validity in measuring the attribute or characteristics that the researcher wants to measure (8). The term face validity refers to the degree to which the test measures what is supposed to be measured, which is a preliminary procedure for selecting a scale (3). In order to verify the face validity, the extension services scale was presented to a number of specialists in the field of agricultural extension by (5) experts. As for the (Construct validity), it means that the items of the scale or test or their paragraphs express the phenomenon, feature, or topic to be measured accurately and that the tool in itself belongs to the subject to be tested and is suitable for measuring it (8). To verify the construct validity, the scale is presented by several specialists in the fields of vegetable production and educational guidance by (5) experts. B-Reliability test: reliability is defined as consistency in results, and the test is considered constant is obtained from it the same results when re-applying it to individuals themselves and under the same conditions (13). To measure reliability, a pre-test was conducted in October on a sample consisting of (4) respondents from the agricultural extension agents of the Extension Center and the Karbala Agriculture Directorate. The reliability sample (the exploratory sample) was later excluded when collecting the final data. Alpha Cronbach's equation was used to measure the reliability of the extension services scale, and the amount of reliability coefficient for the questionnaire was (0.98).

Data collection
The research data were collected utilizing a questionnaire, to obtain the necessary data to achieve the research objectives, by the personal interviews with agricultural extension agents in government extension departments in Karbala governorate, and the data collection process lasted from 10/11/2020 to 10/1/2021.

Data tabulation
After the completion of the data collection process, the data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science SPSS analysis program. In addition to using manual analysis, tabulation, and presenting the data in Tables to interpret the results and draw conclusions and recommendations related to the research. So, a 4-point graduated scale was prepared to measure the extension services, consisting of four levels (a high degree, a medium degree, a low degree, and non), and the following weights were given (3, 2, 1, 0), respectively.
Accordingly, the maximum degree of the scale is (246) while the minimum paragraphs, reached (0). The percentages of the paragraphs, the weigh ted average, and the percentage weight for each paragraph of the scale were calculated.

Statistical methods
A set of appropriate statistical methods were used for the research, which is the Alpha Cronbach's equation, weighted average, percentage weight, hypothetical mean, percentages, frequencies, arithmetic mean, and the standard deviation.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Organization:
The research results showed that the highest percentage of respondents 'answers in the organization paragraphs (52.8%) in the two paragraphs (continuous meetings with workers in vegetable production) and (agricultural extension agents in the relevant region) were within the level (medium degree). However, the lowest percentage of respondents' answers was (zero) in the five paragraphs of organization within the level (non). The research results also showed that the highest weighted average (2.47) degree and the highest percentage weight (82.33) degree, obtained by the first paragraph (the multidisciplinary working group). Moreover, the lowest weighted average (2.19) degree, the lowest percentage weight (73) was obtained by the paragraph (continuous meetings with workers in vegetable production), as shown in Table 1. It was observed from the above Table that all the organization paragraphs have obtained a weighted average higher than the hypothetical mean of 1.5 degrees. Besides that, half of the respondents referred to the paragraph (the multidisciplinary working group) with a high degree and almost half of them referred to the same paragraph with a medium degree. This may be due to the diversity of agricultural and extension engineering specializations in the agricultural departments in each of the Karbala Agricultural Directorate, its people and its divisions, the extension center, and the extension farms. Additionally, some of them have completed their master's studies and higher diplomas, so it is easy to get a multidisciplinary working group for them, and almost half of the respondents referred to (a division of responsibilities and tasks) (to a high degree) and the other half (with a medium degree). This may be attributed to the nature of the administrative division of the agricultural staff in the divisions and administrative departments, and the definition of responsibilities and tasks for the staff who provide activities and extension services according to the nature of their work. The other paragraphs were sequenced to a paragraph (continuous meetings with workers in vegetable production in shrines farms) that got the lowest percentage weight and the lowest weighted average among the organization paragraphs, the reason may be attributed to the insufficiency of the activities and services provided to these farms Planning The research results showed that the highest percentage of respondents 'answers was (63.9%) in the paragraph (integration with plans and projects of the Ministry of Agriculture) within the level (medium degree). However, the lowest percentage of respondents' answers is (zero) in the six paragraphs of the level (non), and the sixth paragraph (support for agricultural innovations) is within the level (to a low degree). The research results also showed that the highest weighted average (2.55) degrees and the highest percentage weight (85) degree, obtained in the fourth paragraph (supplying the market with food production to achieve selfsufficiency. Besides that the lowest weighted average (2.30) degrees and the lowest percentage weight (76.66) degree, obtained in the first paragraph (integration with the plans and projects of the Ministry of Agriculture), as shown in Table 2. It was evident from the above Table that all the paragraphs have obtained a weighted average higher than the hypothetical mean of 1.5 degrees, which indicates the importance of these objectives in determining the activities and services allocated to farms. More than half of the respondents referred to the fourth paragraph (Supplying the market with the food product to achieve self-sufficiency) to a high degree, due to the important role that these farms play in providing food products. Especially vegetable crops, to the residents of Karbala Governorate and some nearby governorates such as Najaf, Babel, and Baghdad. The rest of the paragraphs were graded according to importance from the viewpoint of the respondents, down to the paragraph (integration with the plans and projects of the Ministry of Agriculture) that obtained the lowest weighted average and the lowest percentage weight. This may be because the plans and projects of the Ministry of Agriculture did not include those farms of actual importance in comparison to the quantity and quality of the food product they provide and their contribution to manpower employment as well as self-sufficiency and reduced import.
Implementation: Activities and services implemented for farms by the extension center for the period (2012-2019) The research results showed that the highest percentage of respondents' answers to the paragraphs of the implementation axis of extension services provided to workers by the extension workers in the extension center and its extension farms is (49.5%) obtained by the paragraph (training course). On the other hand, the lowest percentage of respondents is (zero) obtained by each of the paragraphs (agricultural gallery), (lecture), and (workshop), as shown in Table 3. It is evident from the above Table and through the inference of the statistical results of the arithmetic means, frequencies, and percentages of the answers of the extension agents in the extension center and extension farms that the extension activities provided to the workers do not exceed 7 activities during the period (2012-2019). The training courses rank the first with an arithmetic mean of (3.50) degrees and a percentage (49.5%), followed by other activities with low percentages and arithmetic means, some of which are non-existent. The reason may be attributed to the lack of activities provided by the extension center for vegetable farms, and even though the extension center has carried out a lot of extension activities in the governorate during the aforementioned period, the workers in vegetable farms did not participate in them. This indicates that the volume of cooperation and coordination between them and farm administrations are very simple and do not meet ambition in comparison to the importance of farms on the one hand, and the specializes of extension center in providing extension services and activities on the other hand. The activities and services implemented by the Karbala Agriculture Directorate and its affiliated Agricultural Division for the period (2015-2019) The research results showed that the highest percentage of respondents answers to the paragraphs of the implementation axis of extension services provided to workers by extension agents in the Karbala Agriculture Directorate and its affiliated Agricultural Division (43.9%) obtained by the paragraph (extension seminar). Besides that, the lowest percentage of respondents' answers is zero, obtained by two paragraphs (lecture) and (visiting other farms), as shown in Table 4. Directorate and its affiliated Agricultural Division for the period (2015-2019): It was evident from the above Table and through the inference of the statistical results of the arithmetic means, frequencies, and percentages of the extension agents answers in the directorate and its agricultural divisions that the extension activities provided to the workers do not exceed 10 activities during the period (2015-2019). Furthermore, the extension seminars rank the first with an arithmetic mean of (4.40) degree and a percentage (43.9), then followed by other activities with low percentages and arithmetic means, some of which are non-existent. The reason may be attributed to the lack of activities provided by the directorate and the agricultural divisions to vegetable farms in the two shrines. It is also because the activities provided are mostly limited to those of the Desert Division, and not to the activities and other extension services provided by the directorate and its agricultural divisions. It was observed from the foregoing that there is limited coordination and cooperation between the extension departments in the governorate and those in charge of the shrine's farms about the extension activities and services. This may be attributed to the fact that the farms belonging to the shrines are new experiences that require a new guiding policy and a different guiding approach from the usual traditional methods. In addition to the presence of agricultural experts and consultants working in modern agricultural methods according to the latest developments and modern technologies in the vegetable farms of the two shrines, who should not be satisfied with their expertise and capabilities. Along with, benefit from the accumulated experiences of agricultural and extension staff in various agricultural sectors (service, research, and processing). Monitoring: Those in charge of the monitoring process: The research results showed that the highest percentage of respondent's answers is (55.5%) in the third paragraph (in coordination with the farm management) is within the level (medium degree), and the lowest percentage of respondents' answers is (zero) in the same paragraph within the level (with a low degree). The research results also showed that the highest weighted average (2.05) degree and the highest percentage weight (68.33) degree, obtained by the first paragraph (employee responsible for monitoring). Similarly, the lowest weighted average (1.83) degree and the lowest percentage weight (61) degree, obtained by the fourth paragraph (an employee of the farm) and as shown in Table 5  It is evident from the above Table that all the paragraphs had a weighted average higher than the hypothetical mean of 1.5 degrees, which indicates the importance of those paragraphs in determining those in charge of the monitoring process. The reason may be attributed to the fact that the responsibility for monitoring the extension services provided to the workers belongs to (a specific employee in the monitoring division of the directorate for the directorate activities or officials of the extension farms for the activities provided by the extension center) is the one who performs all the roles that this process requires. However, the paragraph (employee from the farm) obtained the lowest weighted average and the lowest percentage weight, the reason may be due to the lack of reliance on-farm employees to carry out the monitoring process compared to the rest of the paragraphs. Also, the small number of services and extension activities provided does not allow good communication and coordination with farm staff.

Evaluation
Evaluation criteria: The research results showed that the highest percentage of respondents 'answers (63.9%) in the paragraph (increase in the amount of production) is within the level (high degree) and the lowest percentage of respondents' answers is (zero) in the first, fourth and seventh paragraphs within the level (low degree). The research results also observed that the highest weighted average is (2.41) degree and the highest percentage weight is (80.33) degree, obtained by the sixth paragraph (increase in the quantity of production). Besides that, the lowest weighted average (2.02) degree and the lowest percentage weight is (67.33) degree, obtained by the third paragraph (the effect of activities carried out in solving problems) and as shown in Table 6. It is evident from the above Table  that all the paragraphs have obtained a weighted average higher than the hypothesis means of 1.5 degrees, which indicates its importance in determining the evaluation criteria. More than half of the respondents referred to the sixth and seventh paragraphs (to a high degree), it may be attributed to the fact that increasing production and improving its quality on the impact of services provided to workers is one of the most important evaluation criteria and through which the quality of extension services provided to workers is measured. The rest of the paragraphs were graded according to importance from the viewpoint of the respondents down to the paragraph (the effect of the activities carried out in solving problems), which received the lowest weighted average and the lowest percentage weight. This may be attributed to the fact that workers did not participate in the planning of extension activities implemented by the agricultural and extension departments in the governorate, also, their number is very few, and they are comprehensive for all farmers in Karbala Governorate (according to the annual plan of activities). Therefore, it may not address the problems that face workers in vegetable production in the shrines farms because they are comprehensive for all farmers and are not concerned with one farm without another. Description of the evaluation process: The research results showed that the highest percentage of respondents 'answers (66.7%) in the sixth paragraph (devloping recommendations by the work team) is within the level (to a high degree) and that the lowest percentage of respondents' answers is (zero) in the same paragraph within the level (low degree). The research results also showed that the highest weighted average is (2.5) degree and the highest percentage weighted is (83.33) degree, obtained by the sixth paragraph as well. Finally, the lowest weighted average (2.02) degree and the lowest percentage weight (67.33) degree, obtained by the fourth paragraph. (The evaluation was carried out after the end of work) and as shown in Table 7  It is evident from the above Table that all the paragraphs have obtained a weighted average higher than the hypothetical mean of (1.5) degrees, which indicates its importance in describing the process of evaluating the services provided. More than half of the respondents referred to the paragraph of developing recommendations by the work team, which indicates that it is one of the most important procedural steps for evaluating the extension services provided to workers. The rest of the paragraphs were graded according to importance from the viewpoint of the respondents down to the paragraph (The evaluation is carried out after the end of work), which received the lowest weighted average and the lowest percentage weight. This may be attributed to the fact that the activities and services provided by the agricultural and extension departments are evaluated -in most cases -through reports. (monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual), therefore, the final evaluation of the activities presented may not be carried out