Analysis of Factors Affecting Willingness of Farmers on Their Taking Part in Financing Agricultural Extension Work: The Case of Erzurum Province

In this study, 169 farmers from 7 towns in Erzurum were surveyed in order to determine factors which are affecting the willingness of farmers to take part in financing the agricultural extension services. In analysis of the data descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis methods were used by using Limdep software package. Analysis of the data revealed that regional differences, incomes and education of the farmers, believes on the usefulness of information given by the extension personnel and their satisfaction for the extension personnel’ answers to their questions were important factors on their willingness to take part in agricultural extension services. The results also showed that the farmers take advantage of mass media in order to get information on the services and this situation has affected their willingness for their taking part in the extension services. These results indicated that in order for the farmers to fully understand the importance and indispensability of extension services it is necessary to develop and apply a set of strategies intended for the improvement of community extension services. Furthermore, the extension personnel must have enough knowledge and ability to answer to farmers questions in a perceptible and satisfying manner.