New Behavioral and Attitudinal Approaches to the Teachings and Studies of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development

A look at evolutional trend of different approaches to rural and agricultural development indicates the effective role of farmers and local people in problem solving and basic decision making. The change in approaches from pure scientific orientation to participatory orientation and the rejection of this assumption that farmers are the limiting factors of development is a confirmation to the importance of the role of farmers and local people in the achievement of development. In this direction, comprehensive development is not limited to hardware dimension, but includes a software dimension which is not different from behaviors, views, preferences, and beliefs of farmers and local people. In this documentary study, the role and importance of behaviors and attitudes, their interrelationships, and their applications in agricultural extension and rural development studies were examined. A correct knowledge of farmers attitudes and behaviors in different situations can lead to a better and more efficient design and planning of development projects, such that it can be highly adapted to the needs and problems existing in the rural and agricultural sector.