American-Eurasian J. Agric. & Environ. Sci., 4 (3): 349-353, 2008 ISSN 1818-6769 © IDOSI Publications, 2008 Corresponding Author: Mohammad Sadegh Allahyari, College of Agriculture, Islamic Azad University, Rasht branch, Rasht, Iran 349 Redefining of Agricultural Extension Objectives Toward Sustainability in Iran Mohammad Sadegh Allahyari College of Agriculture, Islamic Azad University, Rasht branch, Rasht, Iran Abstract: This study was conducted to identify the most appropriate objectives for agricultural extension toward sustainability in Iran context. A sample of 87 respondents was selected through simple random sampling technique. A survey study was applied as a methodology of research work. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that addressed to evaluate extension professionals’ responses regarding the necessity of attention on each extension system objectives to accomplish sustainable agriculture in Iran. For determining the validity of questionnaire, the face and content validity was used. Cronbach's alpha was used to measure reliability of the instrument, which was 0.86 and showed the instrument reliability. Descriptive findings revealed that “Empowerment”, “Improving food security” and “Enhancing adaptive management capacity” were the first objectives for extension system toward sustainability, respectively. According to factor analysis, the objectives of extension system toward sustainability were categorized into two groups consisting: the developmental objectives and improvement of social capital that those factors explained 54.33% of the total variance of the research variables. Key words: Agricultural extension Sustainability Objectives of extension INTRODUCTION extension approach as a suitable approach for What are the most appropriate objectives for is shifting toward enhancing adaptive management agricultural extension systems to accomplish capacity, emancipation and social capital at local level, sustainability? Which objectives should be selected by building of stakeholder platforms for negotiations and extension systems to effect on agricultural dynamism and learning processes. Cho and Boland [9] wrote that to accomplish sustainability within agricultural sector? extension objectives toward sustainability could range One of the most important tasks of an extension from the effective transfer of technology to the building organization is to choose the objectives of the extension up of strong rural organizations, which can exert influence program [1]. Agricultural extension objectives in over future research and policy agendas and also take and developing countries have been changing in recent enforce collective decisions over natural resource years to reflect a new development paradigm that management. A shift towards the latter will promote emphasizes sustainability [2]. Historically, the rhetoric more sustainable agricultural development. Bartholomew of agricultural extension worldwide has shifted from an and Bourdon [10], have utilized anthropological concepts emphasis on production, at the beginning of the century, to define extension toward sustainability. They state to productivity (or efficiency) based agriculture, to the that the purpose of extension is to ‘help people help most recent philosophy of sustainability [3-5]. Extension themselves.’ This idea is still the most appropriate for systems have been gradually shifting from a knowledge extension and sustainable development. transfer to a knowledge-share concept and farmers are no Agricultural extension in Iran such as many longer assumed as the sole recipients of new technology developing countries is mainly focused on common and science; instead, they are now contributing to the extension approach [11, 12]. Studies showed that learning and teaching processes. The role of agricultural traditional extension system have not been sufficiently extension agents is also changing from transferring effective in promoting adoption of sustainable agriculture knowledge and technology to consultants, advisors practices [2, 13]. Studies indicated that Iran's sustainable and facilitators of the farmer learning process [6, 7]. agricultural extension objectives are not favorable and the Probst and Hagmann [8], reported while participatory extension system does not pay enough attention to them. sustainability is emerging, objectives of extension system