Farmer's awareness for the importance of the recycling of agricultural Western In the west rural area of Hama province

This study aims at show the most important types of agricultural waste in the studied area and determine the level of awareness among farmers in addition to identifying the most important sources of information for farmers on methods of recycling agricultural waste. To achieve these goals, a questionnaire was designed and applied to a random sample of 240 farmers in the villages of the studied area. Some statistical methods were used to process the data obtained from this questionnaire such as percentages, frequencies, regression analysis and variance analysis (ANOVA). Results of data analysis showed that more than half of the sample were between (30-50) years old and three- fourths of the sample had educational level (secondary and pre-existing), and most of them depended on agricultural and other work as a source of income. The results of the study showed also that the amount of plant waste, in the study area for each farmer, is ranged between (100-20000) kg for crop waste and (100-3000) kg for pruning waste in one agricultural season. The same time, the amounts of animal waste (animal droppings) is ranged between (100-30,000) kg (according to the number of animals). The methods of disposal of these wastes differ from one farmer to another, as about 48.33% of farmers turn the plant waste into the soil, 51% use it as feed and fertilizer, 26% resort to selling it and 50% leave it on the edge of the farmland. As for animal waste It was a strategic importance for farmers, as about 62.08% of farmers benefit from it as fertilizer, and 30% sell it and benefit from it financially. The analysis showed a positive evaluation of the sample towards awareness of wrong disposal and safety of agricultural waste as the majority of the sample members were closer to the second level (awareness) with relative importance (43.91) and (48% (respectively) for both wrong and safe disposalThe results also showed the poor response of farmers to information sources, also, the majority of the sources of information of the farmers were obtained either from personal experience or from other farmers living in the same region, and therefore the diligence of a person. The results also indicated a positive response to the obstacles facing farmers in the field of agricultural waste recycling and proposals to stimulate waste recycling, Whereas, most of the sample members fall to the second level (approved) regarding the proposals presented in the study and the educational level had a negative moral effect, as with the low educational level, the obstacles facing farmers increase. The study also emphasized the importance of agricultural extension taking its role in disseminating modern ideas about the technology of recycling agricultural waste, and setting up seminars and workshops to familiarize farmers with how to properly recycle agricultural waste such as compost production or organic gas. Taking into consideration the serious trend towards establishing manufacturing centers for agricultural waste in villages in a manner commensurate with the nature and amount of waste present in each region, which leads to the outcome of the optimal investment of these waste and provide job opportunities for the local population.،