Agricultural Information System (AIS) in Hamedan Province: The Determinants of Success

Efficient agricultural information systems help decision makers in planning and optimum use of resources. The aim of this study was to appraise the effectiveness of AIS in Hamedan province, Iran, using the 14 internationally recognized criteria. Data were collected using a survey research method and stratified random sampling technique. The sample consisted of 62 extension workers and 31 agricultural researchers. The face validity of questionnaire was confirmed by a panel of experts, and a pilot study was conducted which indi cated that the scales used in the study have acceptable level of reliability. The findings revealed that researchers and extension workers confirmed the importance of these criteria in appraisal of success of Hamedan’s AIS. While, Hamedan’s AIS has a high achievement score with regard to “agricultural system controls on environment” and “informal relationship between AIS subsystems” criteria, the achievement score for “farmers control on research process” and “relationship between agricultural know ledge and information system with others AISs” were the lowest among the 14 criteria investigated in the research.