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Journal of Ecosystem & Ecography | ISSN: 2157-7625 | Volume: 8
June 28-29, 2018 | Alexandria, Egypt
International Pre Conference Workshop on
Microbial Ecology & Eco Systems
Farmers perception of the importance of applying "Melouk Model" in improving potato production
ecology in Egypt
Magdi M Melouk
Central Administration for Agricultural Extension, Ministry of Agriculture, Egypt
M
elouk Model (2016) is an attempt to use ICT in a systematized manner to best manage the production chain and generate
information to support farmers decision making in agriculture. The model was used here with the aim of improving
potato production ecology through investigating Egyptian potato farmers' perception of the model and its use in identifying
relationship between the extent of farmers understanding of the model and its importance in improving potato ecology and its
independent variables. The study leads to the identification of obstacles facing potato farmers in applying the model, and their
suggestions about considering the application of model beneficial to their agricultural cooperatives. A questionnaire consisting
of five main sections was used, including a section on personal and economic characteristics of the respondents, a section
on respondents' knowledge of the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of potato production chain and the third
section on the importance of applying the model to improve the ecology of potato production, which dealt with through three
stages of the perception process, including the general impression of the problem, respondents analysis of the problem, and
respondents understanding of the problem. The fourth section addressed obstacles of facing farmers in using the model. The
last section dealt with the views of the respondents on the need for preparing farmers to apply the model in their agricultural
cooperatives. This study revealed that Melouk Model, as an application of ICT, is significantly important in strengthening
agriculture extension, managing production chains and rationalizing decision making in cropping patterns management.
Keywords:
cooperatives, extension, ICT, Melouk Model, potato ecology, production chain management
Biography
Magdi M Melouk is a former undersecretary of Ministry of Agriculture, Head of Agricultural Sector in Alexandria, Egypt and vice president of the Canadian Academy
of Sciences, the Canadian Education Agency Inc. 2015. He earned his PhD in Agricultural Extension, Alexandria University 2015. He accumulated over 34 years
of experience in agriculture, and published "Melouk Model" (2016), a model of applying ICT in management in production chains and decision support, and three
books: "Normalization of ICT in business communities development", "TV satellite channels, A development forum and community participation", and "Media
institutions and operations management". He served in UNDP projects in Oman and Lebanon as an extension expert and UNV specialist. He represented Ministry
of Agriculture in missions to Greece, Italy, Spain, China, Tunisia, Sudan, South Sudan. Formerly, a manager of media production and head of computer section of
Development Support Communication Center in the Ministry of Agriculture, Alexandria branch.
dscmelouk@gmail.comMagdi M Melouk, J Ecosys Ecograph 2018, Volume: 8
DOI: 10.4172/2157-7625-C2-035