Effectiveness of Agricultural Human Resource Development Interventions in Iran (Three Cases in Fars Province)

Literature review indicates that systemic agricultural Human Resource Development (HRD) interventions are rarely carried out in developing countries, and limited knowledge exists about how successful they have been. A comparative study was carried out to investigate the effectiveness of three multi-project HRD interventions including Extension Plans, Adaptation Plans and Diffusion-Push Plans in Fars Province of Iran, and to determine factors correlated with their effectiveness. The research population consisted of 41 target farmers of HRD interventions, whom were all interview surveyed. 41 farmers were also randomly selected from non-plan partners of the same communities as the comparison group. Data were gathered through two separate questionnaires. Face validity was verified by a panel of experts, and reliability was obtained through pilot test. Wilcoxon Test revealed significant differences in HRD levels of interventions partners, before and after the programs, and Mann-Whitney Test showed significant differences between HRD levels of partners and non-partners. Statistically significant correlations were observed between some variables such as supportive environment or plans characteristics and plan effectiveness. The results could improve the understanding of HRD effectiveness and its influencing factors.