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Full Research Article

Training Needs of Rural Women for Some Extension Activities Related to Agricultural Production Techniques in Al-Dour District in Salah Al-Din Governorate

M
Maha Saeed Shada1
R
Raafat Riyadh Abdul Wahhab1,*
M
Mahmood Esam Suleiman1
Y
Yasmen Hatem Hasan1
A
Abdul Khaliq Aied Rasheed2
A
Ahmed Sakr Abdullah1
1Economics and Agricultural Extension Department, College of Agriculture, Tikrit University, Tikrit, Iraq.
2Scientific Research Commission, Baghdad, Iraq.

ABSTRACT

Background: Rural women are key contributors to agricultural production, participating in numerous extension activities related to crop and livestock production methodologies. Rural women in Al-Dur District, Salah al-Din Governorate, face several challenges, including inadequate training and limited awareness of the importance of participating in extension programs. Identifying training needs is crucial for capacity building and enhancing contributions to agricultural productivity and efficiency. This study aimed to identify the training needs of rural women in specific extension activities related to agricultural production techniques in Al-Dur District, Salah al-Din Governorate.

Methods: In this field study, conducted between January 15 and February 15, 2026, various locations in villages of the Al-Dur district in Salah al-Din Governorate were surveyed. The study sample consisted of 200 rural women, selected using a 40%, random sampling method, resulting in a sample of 80 rural women. A three-part questionnaire was used to collect data. The first part included some independent factors related to rural women. The second part assessed the training needs of rural women for agricultural extension activities related to agricultural productivity in the Al-Dur district. The third part identified 10 problems believed to be among the most significant issues affecting rural women in some agricultural extension activities.

Result: The findings indicate that rural women in the Al-Dour district and Salah Al-Din Governorate have medium-to high-training needs for certain agricultural production-related extension activities. The findings also revealed a significant correlation between some independent factors and rural women’s training requirements.

INTRODUCTION

The agricultural sector has the potential to achieve significant economies of scale, benefiting a large number of workers. It also generates capital from crop production (Ibrahim et al., 2025). Given its importance for the national economy and food security, it has been a priority sector in all development initiatives (Salem et al., 2023). Agriculture is the primary source of income for many rural inhabitants and women’s contribution to crop production is essential (Tobar and Cuneen, 2020). By participating in various agricultural production and service activities, women reinforce the local agriculture-based economy and contribute substantially to its development and sustainability (Aye, 2020). Women make up more than half of the rural population in low-income countries (Kandemir and Kotlar, 2024). They also constitute a large portion of the agricultural labor force (Al-Mousawi et al., 2025). In Iraq, women constitute more than 60% of the rural population and are an important part of the country’s socio-economic growth. Rural women, in addition to their usual home tasks, support men in subsistence farming and agriculture in general. This support is important for the economic and social development of the community and the family (Hama and Shwan, 2017). The degree of rural women’s participation in agricultural decision-making varies according to the type of decision; women tend to participate less in decisions involving tasks that require a considerable physical effort and those that require advanced technical skills. Therefore, there is a need to understand the role of women in agricultural decision-making (Muhammad and Yousuf, 2012). So, farmers, particularly women farmers, must be involved. Empowering rural female farmers addresses social and ecological issues. Women are more likely to use sustainable methods to preserve soil fertility and biodiversity because they are more authoritative in home management and understand their local environments better (Hendrik et al., 2026). Researchers acknowledge that focusing on women’s roles and enhancing their productive capacities is crucial for the production process. Women possess skills and competencies that can be harnessed to advance agricultural production and enhance food security (Monteh and Etoh, 2023). Rural women contribute to supporting their families economically in many ways, including crop production, livestock and poultry farming, as well as other diverse agricultural products (Al-Shahid et al., 2024). The selection of institutional framework depends on agricultural experience, educational qualification, herd size, farmer age, basic price and financial means. Despite the potential of the business, the greatest problems are still market swings and volatility of producer sheep prices (Wiranata et al., 2026). Agricultural extension is one of the key components of sustainable agricultural development programs, providing one of the most effective ways of disseminating knowledge, information and innovative practices, from the research level to end users at all stages of the agricultural value chain (Ibrahim and Maher, 2021). Extension is the informal education effort to reach the rural areas. This process provides knowledge and direction to help individuals to solve their problems (Ashokkumar et al., 2026). Training is an important resource to empower rural women to face the challenges posed by rapid technological changes in the agricultural sector and equip them with the required information and skills (Al-Ziyadi, 2002). Identifying training needs is crucial for developing training programs tailored to the specific requirements of trainees (Abdul et al., 2023). Ignoring training needs undermines the very foundation of any training program, reducing it to a mere theoretical exercise that fails to achieve any of its objectives and leads to a waste of time, effort and resources (Lepicki and Boggs, 2014). Therefore, the only way to enhance women’s productivity and performance in this regard is through training, which can be achieved by addressing the genuine training needs of rural women (Shada et al., 2025). Numerous investigations have focused on the educational requirements of rural women, including research by Al-Karoot and Lafta (2026) which indicated that these women require training in natural resource management, environmental preservation and the implementation of contemporary agricultural practices, highlighting a significant deficiency in knowledge and skills. This requires the establishment of field schools and venues for sharing experiences.The research conducted by Haram and Jassim (2025) indicated that the prevalence of obstacles was significant, primarily due to insufficient governmental support, inadequate resources and social influences, revealing a robust correlation between these impediments and socio-economic factors that restrict women’s involvement in guidance activities.
       
Despite the recognition of agriculture’s vital role in the economic development of many countries and in achieving food security and the active participation of most rural women in various agricultural and family activities, their circumstances still suffer from a lack of agricultural extension services and appropriate training programs. Therefore, this study sought to identify the training needs of rural women in Al-Dur District, Salah al-Din Governorate, regarding certain extension activities related to agricultural production techniques.
 
Research aims
 
1. To identify the training requirements of rural women in certain extension activities related to agricultural production techniques in Al-Dour District, Salah al-Din Governorate.
2.  The descending order of study fields and Axes according to percentage weight.
3. To determine the correlation between The training requirements of rural women in certain extension activities related to agricultural production techniques and the following independent variables: age, marital status, educational level, type of landholding, sources of information and attitude towards agricultural work.
4. To identify the most significant problems facing rural women in certain extension activities related to agricultural production techniques in Al-Dour District, Salah Al-Din Governorate.
 
Research gap
 
There have been many studies on rural women participation in agriculture. However, most of these studies have not systematically looked at the training needs in agricultural extension programs and the correlation between these needs and socio-economic factors. Moreover, the specific challenges faced by the rural women in Al-Dur area have not been given much attention. This study is significant in filling this gap and in achieving the stated objectives that are consistent with previous literature hence, adding a new dimension that is more precise and relevant to the local context
 
Research hypotheses
 
No significant association was found between the educational needs of rural women in some extension activities related to agricultural production methods in Al-Dour District/Salah Al-Din Governorate and some independent variables: (age, marital status, educational level, type of holding, sources of information and attitude towards agricultural work).
 
Defining the research community and sample
 
The research sample comprised all 200 rural women from the villages of Al-Dur District, Salah al-Din Governorate. A simple random sample was then drawn, according to the formula of Slovin (1960), resulting in a total of 80 rural women, representing 40% of the research population. To ensure the accuracy and transparency of the measurement instrument, the initial version of the questionnaire was presented to specialized faculty members in the Department of Agricultural Extension at Tikrit University. Expert opinions were gathered on the wording and content of the questionnaire and modified accordingly. A pilot test was conducted on 30 randomly selected respondents who were later excluded from the final sample to test the reliability of the study. The reliability approach showed a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.73 and validity value of 0.85. The questionnaire was found to be reliable and valid and therefore suitable for data collection.. Data were collected on January 15, 2026, compiled in tables and calculated to determine their statistical significance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A three-part questionnaire was designed at the College of Agriculture, Tikrit University, to collect data.
Part one: The following independent variables pertaining to rural women were included in this section: (age, educational level, marital status, type of land tenure, sources of knowledge and attitude toward agricultural employment).
Part two: This part (2) includes a field for measuring the training requirements of rural women for some extension activities related to agricultural production, namely, plant production and animal production and includes 66 items, as show Plant Production: Vegetable crop axis 14, Field crop axis 10, Fruit tree axis 14. and Animal Production: Poultry axis 8, Sheep axis 10, Cattle axis 10.
Part three: Regarding agricultural extension activities, ten problems were selected as being among the most significant challenges facing rural women. These were categorized into large, medium and small levels accordingly and assigned the following numerical values 3.2.1 respectively. The study was then finalized between January 15 and February 15, 2026.
 
Measuring research variables
 
The independent variables included in the research were measured as follows:
 
1. Age: Assessed based on the participant’s age in years throughout the data gathering period.
 
2. Educational level: The subsequent options are used for measurement: illiterate, literate, primary, intermediate, preparatory, institution and college. The corresponding numerical values were 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.
 
3. Marital status: Measured using the following numerical values: single (1), married (2), divorced (3) and widowed (4).
 
4. Type of tenure: Measured using the following alternatives: Ownership, contract and lease. The numerical values assigned were 3, 2 and 1, respectively.

5. Information sources: To measure this variable, the researchers used nine sources and assigned four alternatives to each: always, sometimes, rarely and never. The numerical values assigned were 3, 2, 1 and 0, respectively. Thus, the values representing this variable range from 0 to 27.
 
6. Attitude towards agricultural work: Measured using 8 statements representing women’s attitudes. They were presented with three options  about Attitude towards Agricultural Work (agree, neutral, disagree). The positive items were given the numerical numbers 3, 2 and 1, whereas the negative items were given their opposites. As a result, the range of values that represent this variable is restricted to (24-8).
       
As for measuring the dependent variable The following options were used to gauge the training needs of rural women for guiding activities using 66 objects that were dispersed among the study areas: (very large, large, medium, small) (the numerical values 4, 3, 2 and 1 were given respectively), resulting in the values expressing the training requirements of rural women (66-264). Finally, to measure the most significant problems facing rural women in agricultural extension efforts, 10 problems were presented on a three-level scale (large, medium, small) with values of 3, 2 and 1 respectively. Consequently, the highest score on the scale was 30 and the lowest was 10. The arithmetic mean was then calculated for each problem.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The first objective
 
To identify the training requirements of rural women for some extension activities related to agricultural production techniques in Al-Dour district/Salah Al-Din Governorate in general.
       
The findings revealed that the lowest value indicating rural women’s training needs for various extension activities related to agricultural production techniques  was (36) and the highest value was (251), with an average of (146.13) and a standard deviation of (49.85). The range law was used to divide the replies into three groups, as seen in the Table (1).

Table 1: Displays the allocation of answers based on general training requirement categories.


       
According to Table (1), the majority of respondents (81.25%) fell into the medium and large training requirement groups.  At 18.75%, the group with the lowest percentage of responses was classified as having low training needs. As a result, the respondents’ level of training needs for various agricultural production-related extension activities was classified as medium to big. this finding can be attributed to the majority of the women surveyed requiring moderate to extensive training in agricultural activities. This reflects a knowledge and skills gap that necessitates more in-depth and specialized training programs to address these deficiencies. This trend highlights the importance of strengthening agricultural extension services to meet production requirements and improve efficiency in the sector. This is consistent with the study (Al-Karoot and Lafta, 2026).
 
Second objective
 
The descending order of study fields and Axes according to percentage weight.
 
A-Ranking the research areas in descending order
 
The research areas were ranked in descending order of importance, The Table 2 shows outcomes.

Table 2: Ranking of research fields in descending order.


       
Table (2) indicates that the animal sector ranked first, with a percentage weight of 50.97. This may be the result of a lack of understanding of contemporary breeding techniques, including marketing, productivity enhancement and illness control.  This increases the need for training in this field, particularly as daily practice and direct income are more directly associated with rural women. With a percentage weight of 40.59, the plant sector ranked second.  This might be because, in comparison to the animal industry, agriculture requires more space and resources and is frequently run by males or the family as a whole, which limits women’s direct involvement.

B-Arranging the research axes  in descending order
 
The study parameters were prioritised in a declining manner according to their proportional weight, as seen in the Table (3).

Table 3: The distribution of the study axes according to percentage weight in descending order.


       
Table (3) shows that the (Field Crops Axis) ranked first, with a percentage weight of 70.93. This may be due to the fact that rural women need deeper knowledge of the cultivation and management of field crops, while the Vegetable Crops Axis ranked last. This may be due to the fact that rural women have sufficient experience in cultivating vegetable crops and that vegetable cultivation may be less complex than field crop cultivation.
 
Third objective
 
To determine the correlation between the training requirements of rural women for some extension activities related to agricultural production techniques  and some of the following independent variables: (age, marital status, educational level, type of holding, sources of information, attitude towards agricultural work).
 
1- Age
 
With an average of 35.43 and a standard deviation of 11.73, the results showed that the respondents’ ages varied from (15-59). Table (4) shows the three categories into which the responses were divided using the range law Table (4).

Table 4: Displays the age distribution of respondents.


       
Table (4) demonstrates that the average training needs’ greatest value, 143.61, fits into a large group.  Using pearson’s law, the correlation coefficient between the two variables was determined to be (0.356). A t-test was employed to determine whether the link was significant and its result of 3.36 indicated that it was. Therefore, we reject the statistical hypothesis.  This may be due to a lack of earlier learning opportunities to stay current with contemporary technology.
 
2- Educational level
 
This variable was classified into 7 groups based on their Educational level, as seen in the Table (5).

Table 5: Illustrates the allocation of participants according to categories of educational level.


       
According to the data in Table (5), the highest training requirements rate was the illiterates, with an average of 141.7. The relationship between the two variables was ascertained using Spearman’s correlation coefficient, which was (-0.394). The (t) law was used to determine the importance of the association, with a value of (-3.79). It was discovered that there is a significant inverse relationship; therefore, we reject the statistical hypothesis. This may be because women with intermediate or higher academic credentials may have better experience and expertise in agricultural extension operations. This indicates that illiterate women require more training, necessitating the development of elaborate programs for them. This is consistent with the study (Haram and Jassim, 2025).
 
3- Marital status
 
The participants were categorised based on their marital status, as seen in the Table (6).

Table 6: Illustrates the allocation of participants based on classifications of marital status.


       
According to Table (6), the divorced group had the greatest average training needs at 135.16. The association between the two variables was determined using Spearman’s correlation coefficient, which yielded a value (0.249).To assess the significance of the relationship, the (t) formula was applied and its result was (2.18), indicating that it was significant. As a result, therefore we reject the statistical hypothesis. This may be because divorced and widowed women require additional training, as they bear the weight of the family’s living expenditures. This is consistent with the study (Haram and Jassim, 2025).
 
4- Type of possession
 
The participants were categorized based on the Type of possession, as shown in the Table (7).

Table 7: The distribution of respondents by ownership type groups.


       
The highest value for the training needs score falls within the category of “ownership,” reaching (126.32). The correlation between the two factors was determined using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient, which was (0.061). Statistical significance was tested using the t-test, yielding a result of (0.54). The study concluded that the relationship is weak. Therefore, we confirm the statistical hypothesis. This indicates that the type of ownership does not significantly affect the level of training needs.
 
5- Sources of information
 
in Table (8) the values reflecting the sources of information collected for various guidance actions were limited to (3-23).

Table 8: The allocation of participants is shown based on the types of sources of information.


       
Table (8) the values reflecting the sources of information collected for various guidance actions were limited to (3-23) shows that the highest value of the training needs rate falls within the low category. To find the correlation between the two variables, Spearman’s correlation coefficient was used and it was found that the value of the correlation coefficient was (-0.277). To test the significance of the relationship, the (t) law was used and its value reached (-2.55). It was discovered that there is a significant inverse relationship, Therefore we reject the statistical hypothesis. The explanation for this might be because the more information sources available, the less training required, as information aids in the acquisition of new and updated abilities.
 
6- The trend towards agricultural work
 
The values expressing the trend were limited to (16-5) and the results were as shown in Table (9).

Table 9: The distribution of the respondents according to their attitude towards agricultural work.


       
The value in Table (9) is 126.72 and indicates that the negative group has the highest training requirements rate. The correlation between the two variables was tested using Spearman’s correlation coefficient and the result was (-0.011). The importance of the relationship was assessed according to (t) Tables value=(-0.10).It was discovered that the relationship was non-significant; therefore, we accept and reject the statistical hypothesis). This implies that the trend towards agricultural work does not significantly affect training needs.
 
Fourth objective
 
To identify the most important problems facing rural women in some extension activities related to agricultural production techniques in Al-Dour district/Salah Al-Din Governorate.
       
The most important problems facing rural women were ranked in descending order using the arithmetic mean, as shown in Table (10).

Table 10: The most important problems facing rural women.


       
Table (10) reveals that the item (Limited financial support) was placed top, with an average of (2.025). This may be attributable to rural women’s demand for government assistance to better their agricultural circumstances. While the paragraph (Insufficient extension services for livestock production and food processing) was occupied, the reason for this may be due to the lack of need for guidance and direction among rural women because of the experience they have in the field of animal husbandry and converting agricultural products into marketable goods such as (dairy products and jams). This is consistent with the study (Haram and Jassim, 2025 and Al-Karoot and Lafta, 2026).

CONCLUSION

The study’s findings indicate that rural women have moderate to high training needs, underscoring the necessity of strengthening agricultural extension programs to improve their farming skills and increase productivity. A strong correlation was observed between age and training needs, with the need increasing with age. The results revealed that the livestock sector has the greatest need for training, followed by the agricultural sector. The study calls for the establishment of specialized training programs that leverage the expertise of rural women and aim to integrate them into agricultural development strategies in collaboration with relevant partners.
 
Funding details 
 
This research received no external funding.
 
Authors’ contributions 
 
All authors contributed toward data analysis, drafting and revising the paper and agreed to be responsible for all aspects of this work.
 
Disclaimers 
 
The views and conclusions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of their affiliated institutions. The authors are responsible for the accuracy and completeness of the information provided, but do not accept any liability for any direct or indirect losses resulting from the use of this content.
 
Declarations 
 
Authors declare that all works are original and that this manuscript has not been published in any other journal.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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    Full Research Article

    Training Needs of Rural Women for Some Extension Activities Related to Agricultural Production Techniques in Al-Dour District in Salah Al-Din Governorate

    M
    Maha Saeed Shada1
    R
    Raafat Riyadh Abdul Wahhab1,*
    M
    Mahmood Esam Suleiman1
    Y
    Yasmen Hatem Hasan1
    A
    Abdul Khaliq Aied Rasheed2
    A
    Ahmed Sakr Abdullah1
    1Economics and Agricultural Extension Department, College of Agriculture, Tikrit University, Tikrit, Iraq.
    2Scientific Research Commission, Baghdad, Iraq.

    ABSTRACT

    Background: Rural women are key contributors to agricultural production, participating in numerous extension activities related to crop and livestock production methodologies. Rural women in Al-Dur District, Salah al-Din Governorate, face several challenges, including inadequate training and limited awareness of the importance of participating in extension programs. Identifying training needs is crucial for capacity building and enhancing contributions to agricultural productivity and efficiency. This study aimed to identify the training needs of rural women in specific extension activities related to agricultural production techniques in Al-Dur District, Salah al-Din Governorate.

    Methods: In this field study, conducted between January 15 and February 15, 2026, various locations in villages of the Al-Dur district in Salah al-Din Governorate were surveyed. The study sample consisted of 200 rural women, selected using a 40%, random sampling method, resulting in a sample of 80 rural women. A three-part questionnaire was used to collect data. The first part included some independent factors related to rural women. The second part assessed the training needs of rural women for agricultural extension activities related to agricultural productivity in the Al-Dur district. The third part identified 10 problems believed to be among the most significant issues affecting rural women in some agricultural extension activities.

    Result: The findings indicate that rural women in the Al-Dour district and Salah Al-Din Governorate have medium-to high-training needs for certain agricultural production-related extension activities. The findings also revealed a significant correlation between some independent factors and rural women’s training requirements.

    INTRODUCTION

    The agricultural sector has the potential to achieve significant economies of scale, benefiting a large number of workers. It also generates capital from crop production (Ibrahim et al., 2025). Given its importance for the national economy and food security, it has been a priority sector in all development initiatives (Salem et al., 2023). Agriculture is the primary source of income for many rural inhabitants and women’s contribution to crop production is essential (Tobar and Cuneen, 2020). By participating in various agricultural production and service activities, women reinforce the local agriculture-based economy and contribute substantially to its development and sustainability (Aye, 2020). Women make up more than half of the rural population in low-income countries (Kandemir and Kotlar, 2024). They also constitute a large portion of the agricultural labor force (Al-Mousawi et al., 2025). In Iraq, women constitute more than 60% of the rural population and are an important part of the country’s socio-economic growth. Rural women, in addition to their usual home tasks, support men in subsistence farming and agriculture in general. This support is important for the economic and social development of the community and the family (Hama and Shwan, 2017). The degree of rural women’s participation in agricultural decision-making varies according to the type of decision; women tend to participate less in decisions involving tasks that require a considerable physical effort and those that require advanced technical skills. Therefore, there is a need to understand the role of women in agricultural decision-making (Muhammad and Yousuf, 2012). So, farmers, particularly women farmers, must be involved. Empowering rural female farmers addresses social and ecological issues. Women are more likely to use sustainable methods to preserve soil fertility and biodiversity because they are more authoritative in home management and understand their local environments better (Hendrik et al., 2026). Researchers acknowledge that focusing on women’s roles and enhancing their productive capacities is crucial for the production process. Women possess skills and competencies that can be harnessed to advance agricultural production and enhance food security (Monteh and Etoh, 2023). Rural women contribute to supporting their families economically in many ways, including crop production, livestock and poultry farming, as well as other diverse agricultural products (Al-Shahid et al., 2024). The selection of institutional framework depends on agricultural experience, educational qualification, herd size, farmer age, basic price and financial means. Despite the potential of the business, the greatest problems are still market swings and volatility of producer sheep prices (Wiranata et al., 2026). Agricultural extension is one of the key components of sustainable agricultural development programs, providing one of the most effective ways of disseminating knowledge, information and innovative practices, from the research level to end users at all stages of the agricultural value chain (Ibrahim and Maher, 2021). Extension is the informal education effort to reach the rural areas. This process provides knowledge and direction to help individuals to solve their problems (Ashokkumar et al., 2026). Training is an important resource to empower rural women to face the challenges posed by rapid technological changes in the agricultural sector and equip them with the required information and skills (Al-Ziyadi, 2002). Identifying training needs is crucial for developing training programs tailored to the specific requirements of trainees (Abdul et al., 2023). Ignoring training needs undermines the very foundation of any training program, reducing it to a mere theoretical exercise that fails to achieve any of its objectives and leads to a waste of time, effort and resources (Lepicki and Boggs, 2014). Therefore, the only way to enhance women’s productivity and performance in this regard is through training, which can be achieved by addressing the genuine training needs of rural women (Shada et al., 2025). Numerous investigations have focused on the educational requirements of rural women, including research by Al-Karoot and Lafta (2026) which indicated that these women require training in natural resource management, environmental preservation and the implementation of contemporary agricultural practices, highlighting a significant deficiency in knowledge and skills. This requires the establishment of field schools and venues for sharing experiences.The research conducted by Haram and Jassim (2025) indicated that the prevalence of obstacles was significant, primarily due to insufficient governmental support, inadequate resources and social influences, revealing a robust correlation between these impediments and socio-economic factors that restrict women’s involvement in guidance activities.
           
    Despite the recognition of agriculture’s vital role in the economic development of many countries and in achieving food security and the active participation of most rural women in various agricultural and family activities, their circumstances still suffer from a lack of agricultural extension services and appropriate training programs. Therefore, this study sought to identify the training needs of rural women in Al-Dur District, Salah al-Din Governorate, regarding certain extension activities related to agricultural production techniques.
     
    Research aims
     
    1. To identify the training requirements of rural women in certain extension activities related to agricultural production techniques in Al-Dour District, Salah al-Din Governorate.
    2.  The descending order of study fields and Axes according to percentage weight.
    3. To determine the correlation between The training requirements of rural women in certain extension activities related to agricultural production techniques and the following independent variables: age, marital status, educational level, type of landholding, sources of information and attitude towards agricultural work.
    4. To identify the most significant problems facing rural women in certain extension activities related to agricultural production techniques in Al-Dour District, Salah Al-Din Governorate.
     
    Research gap
     
    There have been many studies on rural women participation in agriculture. However, most of these studies have not systematically looked at the training needs in agricultural extension programs and the correlation between these needs and socio-economic factors. Moreover, the specific challenges faced by the rural women in Al-Dur area have not been given much attention. This study is significant in filling this gap and in achieving the stated objectives that are consistent with previous literature hence, adding a new dimension that is more precise and relevant to the local context
     
    Research hypotheses
     
    No significant association was found between the educational needs of rural women in some extension activities related to agricultural production methods in Al-Dour District/Salah Al-Din Governorate and some independent variables: (age, marital status, educational level, type of holding, sources of information and attitude towards agricultural work).
     
    Defining the research community and sample
     
    The research sample comprised all 200 rural women from the villages of Al-Dur District, Salah al-Din Governorate. A simple random sample was then drawn, according to the formula of Slovin (1960), resulting in a total of 80 rural women, representing 40% of the research population. To ensure the accuracy and transparency of the measurement instrument, the initial version of the questionnaire was presented to specialized faculty members in the Department of Agricultural Extension at Tikrit University. Expert opinions were gathered on the wording and content of the questionnaire and modified accordingly. A pilot test was conducted on 30 randomly selected respondents who were later excluded from the final sample to test the reliability of the study. The reliability approach showed a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.73 and validity value of 0.85. The questionnaire was found to be reliable and valid and therefore suitable for data collection.. Data were collected on January 15, 2026, compiled in tables and calculated to determine their statistical significance.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS

    A three-part questionnaire was designed at the College of Agriculture, Tikrit University, to collect data.
    Part one: The following independent variables pertaining to rural women were included in this section: (age, educational level, marital status, type of land tenure, sources of knowledge and attitude toward agricultural employment).
    Part two: This part (2) includes a field for measuring the training requirements of rural women for some extension activities related to agricultural production, namely, plant production and animal production and includes 66 items, as show Plant Production: Vegetable crop axis 14, Field crop axis 10, Fruit tree axis 14. and Animal Production: Poultry axis 8, Sheep axis 10, Cattle axis 10.
    Part three: Regarding agricultural extension activities, ten problems were selected as being among the most significant challenges facing rural women. These were categorized into large, medium and small levels accordingly and assigned the following numerical values 3.2.1 respectively. The study was then finalized between January 15 and February 15, 2026.
     
    Measuring research variables
     
    The independent variables included in the research were measured as follows:
     
    1. Age: Assessed based on the participant’s age in years throughout the data gathering period.
     
    2. Educational level: The subsequent options are used for measurement: illiterate, literate, primary, intermediate, preparatory, institution and college. The corresponding numerical values were 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.
     
    3. Marital status: Measured using the following numerical values: single (1), married (2), divorced (3) and widowed (4).
     
    4. Type of tenure: Measured using the following alternatives: Ownership, contract and lease. The numerical values assigned were 3, 2 and 1, respectively.

    5. Information sources: To measure this variable, the researchers used nine sources and assigned four alternatives to each: always, sometimes, rarely and never. The numerical values assigned were 3, 2, 1 and 0, respectively. Thus, the values representing this variable range from 0 to 27.
     
    6. Attitude towards agricultural work: Measured using 8 statements representing women’s attitudes. They were presented with three options  about Attitude towards Agricultural Work (agree, neutral, disagree). The positive items were given the numerical numbers 3, 2 and 1, whereas the negative items were given their opposites. As a result, the range of values that represent this variable is restricted to (24-8).
           
    As for measuring the dependent variable The following options were used to gauge the training needs of rural women for guiding activities using 66 objects that were dispersed among the study areas: (very large, large, medium, small) (the numerical values 4, 3, 2 and 1 were given respectively), resulting in the values expressing the training requirements of rural women (66-264). Finally, to measure the most significant problems facing rural women in agricultural extension efforts, 10 problems were presented on a three-level scale (large, medium, small) with values of 3, 2 and 1 respectively. Consequently, the highest score on the scale was 30 and the lowest was 10. The arithmetic mean was then calculated for each problem.

    RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

    The first objective
     
    To identify the training requirements of rural women for some extension activities related to agricultural production techniques in Al-Dour district/Salah Al-Din Governorate in general.
           
    The findings revealed that the lowest value indicating rural women’s training needs for various extension activities related to agricultural production techniques  was (36) and the highest value was (251), with an average of (146.13) and a standard deviation of (49.85). The range law was used to divide the replies into three groups, as seen in the Table (1).

    Table 1: Displays the allocation of answers based on general training requirement categories.


           
    According to Table (1), the majority of respondents (81.25%) fell into the medium and large training requirement groups.  At 18.75%, the group with the lowest percentage of responses was classified as having low training needs. As a result, the respondents’ level of training needs for various agricultural production-related extension activities was classified as medium to big. this finding can be attributed to the majority of the women surveyed requiring moderate to extensive training in agricultural activities. This reflects a knowledge and skills gap that necessitates more in-depth and specialized training programs to address these deficiencies. This trend highlights the importance of strengthening agricultural extension services to meet production requirements and improve efficiency in the sector. This is consistent with the study (Al-Karoot and Lafta, 2026).
     
    Second objective
     
    The descending order of study fields and Axes according to percentage weight.
     
    A-Ranking the research areas in descending order
     
    The research areas were ranked in descending order of importance, The Table 2 shows outcomes.

    Table 2: Ranking of research fields in descending order.


           
    Table (2) indicates that the animal sector ranked first, with a percentage weight of 50.97. This may be the result of a lack of understanding of contemporary breeding techniques, including marketing, productivity enhancement and illness control.  This increases the need for training in this field, particularly as daily practice and direct income are more directly associated with rural women. With a percentage weight of 40.59, the plant sector ranked second.  This might be because, in comparison to the animal industry, agriculture requires more space and resources and is frequently run by males or the family as a whole, which limits women’s direct involvement.

    B-Arranging the research axes  in descending order
     
    The study parameters were prioritised in a declining manner according to their proportional weight, as seen in the Table (3).

    Table 3: The distribution of the study axes according to percentage weight in descending order.


           
    Table (3) shows that the (Field Crops Axis) ranked first, with a percentage weight of 70.93. This may be due to the fact that rural women need deeper knowledge of the cultivation and management of field crops, while the Vegetable Crops Axis ranked last. This may be due to the fact that rural women have sufficient experience in cultivating vegetable crops and that vegetable cultivation may be less complex than field crop cultivation.
     
    Third objective
     
    To determine the correlation between the training requirements of rural women for some extension activities related to agricultural production techniques  and some of the following independent variables: (age, marital status, educational level, type of holding, sources of information, attitude towards agricultural work).
     
    1- Age
     
    With an average of 35.43 and a standard deviation of 11.73, the results showed that the respondents’ ages varied from (15-59). Table (4) shows the three categories into which the responses were divided using the range law Table (4).

    Table 4: Displays the age distribution of respondents.


           
    Table (4) demonstrates that the average training needs’ greatest value, 143.61, fits into a large group.  Using pearson’s law, the correlation coefficient between the two variables was determined to be (0.356). A t-test was employed to determine whether the link was significant and its result of 3.36 indicated that it was. Therefore, we reject the statistical hypothesis.  This may be due to a lack of earlier learning opportunities to stay current with contemporary technology.
     
    2- Educational level
     
    This variable was classified into 7 groups based on their Educational level, as seen in the Table (5).

    Table 5: Illustrates the allocation of participants according to categories of educational level.


           
    According to the data in Table (5), the highest training requirements rate was the illiterates, with an average of 141.7. The relationship between the two variables was ascertained using Spearman’s correlation coefficient, which was (-0.394). The (t) law was used to determine the importance of the association, with a value of (-3.79). It was discovered that there is a significant inverse relationship; therefore, we reject the statistical hypothesis. This may be because women with intermediate or higher academic credentials may have better experience and expertise in agricultural extension operations. This indicates that illiterate women require more training, necessitating the development of elaborate programs for them. This is consistent with the study (Haram and Jassim, 2025).
     
    3- Marital status
     
    The participants were categorised based on their marital status, as seen in the Table (6).

    Table 6: Illustrates the allocation of participants based on classifications of marital status.


           
    According to Table (6), the divorced group had the greatest average training needs at 135.16. The association between the two variables was determined using Spearman’s correlation coefficient, which yielded a value (0.249).To assess the significance of the relationship, the (t) formula was applied and its result was (2.18), indicating that it was significant. As a result, therefore we reject the statistical hypothesis. This may be because divorced and widowed women require additional training, as they bear the weight of the family’s living expenditures. This is consistent with the study (Haram and Jassim, 2025).
     
    4- Type of possession
     
    The participants were categorized based on the Type of possession, as shown in the Table (7).

    Table 7: The distribution of respondents by ownership type groups.


           
    The highest value for the training needs score falls within the category of “ownership,” reaching (126.32). The correlation between the two factors was determined using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient, which was (0.061). Statistical significance was tested using the t-test, yielding a result of (0.54). The study concluded that the relationship is weak. Therefore, we confirm the statistical hypothesis. This indicates that the type of ownership does not significantly affect the level of training needs.
     
    5- Sources of information
     
    in Table (8) the values reflecting the sources of information collected for various guidance actions were limited to (3-23).

    Table 8: The allocation of participants is shown based on the types of sources of information.


           
    Table (8) the values reflecting the sources of information collected for various guidance actions were limited to (3-23) shows that the highest value of the training needs rate falls within the low category. To find the correlation between the two variables, Spearman’s correlation coefficient was used and it was found that the value of the correlation coefficient was (-0.277). To test the significance of the relationship, the (t) law was used and its value reached (-2.55). It was discovered that there is a significant inverse relationship, Therefore we reject the statistical hypothesis. The explanation for this might be because the more information sources available, the less training required, as information aids in the acquisition of new and updated abilities.
     
    6- The trend towards agricultural work
     
    The values expressing the trend were limited to (16-5) and the results were as shown in Table (9).

    Table 9: The distribution of the respondents according to their attitude towards agricultural work.


           
    The value in Table (9) is 126.72 and indicates that the negative group has the highest training requirements rate. The correlation between the two variables was tested using Spearman’s correlation coefficient and the result was (-0.011). The importance of the relationship was assessed according to (t) Tables value=(-0.10).It was discovered that the relationship was non-significant; therefore, we accept and reject the statistical hypothesis). This implies that the trend towards agricultural work does not significantly affect training needs.
     
    Fourth objective
     
    To identify the most important problems facing rural women in some extension activities related to agricultural production techniques in Al-Dour district/Salah Al-Din Governorate.
           
    The most important problems facing rural women were ranked in descending order using the arithmetic mean, as shown in Table (10).

    Table 10: The most important problems facing rural women.


           
    Table (10) reveals that the item (Limited financial support) was placed top, with an average of (2.025). This may be attributable to rural women’s demand for government assistance to better their agricultural circumstances. While the paragraph (Insufficient extension services for livestock production and food processing) was occupied, the reason for this may be due to the lack of need for guidance and direction among rural women because of the experience they have in the field of animal husbandry and converting agricultural products into marketable goods such as (dairy products and jams). This is consistent with the study (Haram and Jassim, 2025 and Al-Karoot and Lafta, 2026).

    CONCLUSION

    The study’s findings indicate that rural women have moderate to high training needs, underscoring the necessity of strengthening agricultural extension programs to improve their farming skills and increase productivity. A strong correlation was observed between age and training needs, with the need increasing with age. The results revealed that the livestock sector has the greatest need for training, followed by the agricultural sector. The study calls for the establishment of specialized training programs that leverage the expertise of rural women and aim to integrate them into agricultural development strategies in collaboration with relevant partners.
     
    Funding details 
     
    This research received no external funding.
     
    Authors’ contributions 
     
    All authors contributed toward data analysis, drafting and revising the paper and agreed to be responsible for all aspects of this work.
     
    Disclaimers 
     
    The views and conclusions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of their affiliated institutions. The authors are responsible for the accuracy and completeness of the information provided, but do not accept any liability for any direct or indirect losses resulting from the use of this content.
     
    Declarations 
     
    Authors declare that all works are original and that this manuscript has not been published in any other journal.

    CONFLICT OF INTEREST

    Authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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