Analysis of Small‑scale Commercial Integrated Agricultural Extension Barriers

Small‐scale farmers face several obstacles to achieving small‐scale integrated commercial agriculture. This study, in a descriptive‐analytical method, investigates the barriers to small‐scale integrated commercial agriculture. The statistical population involved all paddy farmers in Gilan province (N = 180106), andthe sample size (n=422) was determined using the Krejcie and Morgan table in stratified random sampling method. The research tool was a questionnaire whose validity was confirmed by a panel of experts, and its reliability was confirmed by Cronbach s alpha coefficient (0.89). Data analysis was performed by SPSS software and path analysis by Smart PLS software. The results of path analysis showed that the extension barriers have a direct effect on small‐scale agriculture (β= 0.441) and integrated commercial agriculture (β= 0.401) and indirect effect on small‐scale integrated commercial agriculture (β = 0.541) and indirect (β = 0.91). According to the t‐value, the research hypothesis about extension barriers can be concluded that the effectiveness between independent and dependent variables was significant. Based on the results, the use of informed extension agents, reducing the non‐extensional tasks of extension agents, and helping local organizations to reduce intermediaries are essential factors in removing obstacles to this type of agricultural system.