Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment




Vol 4, Issue 3&4,2006
Online ISSN: 1459-0263
Print ISSN: 1459-0255


Rural leadership and sustainable agriculture: Criteria for recruiting leaders


Author(s):

G. H. Zamani 1, E. Karami 2

Recieved Date: 2006-06-16, Accepted Date: 2006-09-22

Abstract:

Agricultural development can only be sustained over the long-term if there are motivated and committed rural leaders who keep the momentum going. One of the responsibilities of agricultural extension agents is to empower the rural leaders and develop their leadership competencies. The main purpose of this research project was to identify the criteria that extension agents should consider in selecting and recruiting effective rural leaders for sustainable agricultural development. Although leadership was considered to be important in agricultural development under “modernization” paradigm and transfer of technology model, it is an essential ingredient for achieving sustainable agriculture. In this regard, ‘action research’ methodology, contingency approach of leadership and knowledge of paradigm shift in agriculture were applied to provide an in-depth picture of factors involved in leadership training programs at rural areas. A total of 10 extension agents through a purposive sampling design took part in the action research and cooperated for seven months. Six stages were defined and followed for this action research: training, diagnosing, planning, action, debriefing and evaluation stages. Based on the findings three groups of rural leaders were identified as potential, volunteer and active leaders. A comprehensive model consisting of four major characteristics of rural leaders: personality traits, technical skills, socio-economic status and professional traits – was developed. The model shows 17 major criteria, which extension agents should consider in recruiting potential rural leaders. Finally, recommendations for successful “Leadership Development Programs” in sustainable agricultural development process were suggested.

Keywords:

Leadership, training, rural leaders, recruiting leaders, Iran


Journal: Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
Year: 2006
Volume: 4
Issue: 3&4
Category: Environment
Pages: 228-234


Full text for Subscribers
Information:

Note to users

The requested document is freely available only to subscribers/registered users with an online subscription to the Journal of Food, Agriculture & Environment. If you have set up a personal subscription to this title please enter your user name and password. All abstracts are available for free.

Article purchasing

If you like to purchase this specific document such as article, review or this journal issue, contact us. Specify the title of the article or review, issue, number, volume and date of the publication. Software and compilation, Science & Technology, all rights reserved. Your use of this website details or service is governed by terms of use. Authors are invited to check from time to time news or information.


Purchase this Article:   20 Purchase PDF Order Reprints for 15

Share this article :