Research centers and universities are no longer the sole source of agricultural knowledge and innovations as most service providers generate and use the information. Although this is a reality, organizing interaction for the benefit of all parties, i.e., applying a pluralistic extension approach, has not had sufficient study to attract decision-makers attention in Egypt. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the impact of including multiple service providers in a virtual community of practice at the village level.
This research was conducted on a virtual community of practice in the village of Mit Habib, Belbeis district, Sharkia Governorate, within the national campaign of wheat, 22/2023 season. Out of the 151 participants in the community, the sample represented 40 randomly selected respondents, including 35 farmers, 3 input suppliers, and 2 supply companies' agents/dealers. Data were collected using two telephone questionnaire forms applied during the month of May 2023.
The main results showed that the diversity of service providers in virtual communities of practice is welcomed by all participants, and supports free sharing of knowledge, learning by observation, maintaining the timeliness of information needs, and respecting the opinions of others. Categories of service providers in the community of practice followed the categories of the crop supply chain. The extension worker alone (as a knowledge broker) is able to build one virtual communities of practice, or more, to assist him to achieve his daily tasks.  Nevertheless, he needs to undergo training specifically related to coordination and management of communities of practice to manipulate cases of disagreement and/or conflict between the groups of participants.