designing a model for local extension planning

local planning is a basic principle as well as a major part of comprehensive rural development in which main emphasis is placed on local initiatives to make human interactions more active and dynamic. in local planning, all parties including local people, governmental bodies and ngos interact to fulfill the basic goals of community development. one may find good examples of local planning experience in different parts of the world, particularly in ancient iran, egypt and greek although over involvement of governmental bodies has caused many problems in the way of enhancing local people capacities. it is nowadays recognized that sustainable rural and agricultural development will not be achieved unless the capacities and competencies of local people are recognized, built, developed and utilized. accordingly, this study was conducted to design a model for local extension planning, as extension is a basic institution to empower local people. the study was an applied research one conducted through a quantitative paradigm. the statistical population of the study consisted of all the state and local actors of extension system in mazandaran province of iran, babol county and lalehabad district. out of this population, 581 people were selected as sample interviewed through questionnaire. the findings revealed that different actors had significant different opinions about the consequences of the extension program, role of actors and the necessities of setting up a local planning committee. this is while they are in agreement with respect to the necessities of linkages among the actors.