Relationship of Sari Paddy Farmer's Characteristics with Their Viewpoint toward the Effectiveness of Paddy Extension Activities

The purpose of this study was to investigate relationship of paddy farmers’ characteristics with their viewpoint toward the effectiveness of paddy extension activities. Statistical population consisted of 42117 paddies in Sari County. From that 346 were selected using stratified random sampling method. Methodological approach of this study was descriptive research. Validity of the instrument was established by a panel of experts consisting of senior faculty members in agricultural extension and education department of Shiraz and Sari University، and research committee advisors. Reliability analysis was conducted by using Cronbach’s alpha α=0/82. Results showed that 66. 5، 30. 3 and 3. 2 percent of farmers expressed that effectiveness of extension activities were very little and little، moderate and good respectively. Considering the mean of effectiveness of extension activities in Sari County during 2011، was low. Also، results from multiple regression analysis (stepwise method) revealed that variables social participation، age، ecological situation، benefit-cost ratio، income and the extent they used information sources، explained of 66. 4% of the variance of effectiveness of extension activities.