Agricultural Extension and Education
Hossein Noroozi; Hamed Eskandari damaneh; Rasool Lavaei Adaryani; Mohseen Adeli- Sardooei
Abstract
As one of the most important factors on the earth, water is important for drinking as well as other human and natural-related uses. Thus, in most countries, water scarcity has become a serious crisis. Therefore, management of and conservation of water resources have been of great importance. Iran is ...
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As one of the most important factors on the earth, water is important for drinking as well as other human and natural-related uses. Thus, in most countries, water scarcity has become a serious crisis. Therefore, management of and conservation of water resources have been of great importance. Iran is considered as an arid and semi-arid country in the world, which necessitates paying more attention to these valuable resources. Wetlands are one of the most important water sources in the country. Jazmoryan wetland is one of the important wetlands in the country, which has faced considerable damages because of several reasons such as insufficient rainfall, occurrence of drought in the region, upstream dam construction, and lack of providing water use right. Considering the importance and key role of this wetland in agriculture and preserving the ecosystem in the region, in this research the restoration and conservation value of Jazmourian wetland and the willingness to accept and willingness to reduce planting of the farmers in the western basin of this wetland was estimated in two separate patterns for the restoration and protection of the wetland using contingent valuation method. According to the results of both patterns, the variables of education and residential location have a positive impact on the probability of accepting the area under cultivation and the proposed monetary value in order to participate in reduced planting plan, while the variables of household size, household expenses, land ownership, marital status, and the value of area under cultivation have a negative impact on the probability of accepting the area under cultivation and the proposed monetary value. Also, the planting area which farmers voluntarily accept to reduce planting and participate in the reduced planting plan, is equivalent to 0.435 ha per farmer and 264 ha in the whole region. Also, willingness to accept in order to reduce area under planting per ha and participation in the reduced planting plan for each farmer and whole study area in the region was estimated to be 355.69 million Rails and 2030 billion Rails, respectively.
Agricultural Extension and Education
Ehsan Masoomi; Dariush Hayati
Abstract
Non-farm economy is one of the newly presented concepts in rural development literature. Numerous studies have reviewed evidence and theories towards improving the concept of rural non-farm economy. However, there is not enough empirical studies in this field, especially in the developing countries. ...
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Non-farm economy is one of the newly presented concepts in rural development literature. Numerous studies have reviewed evidence and theories towards improving the concept of rural non-farm economy. However, there is not enough empirical studies in this field, especially in the developing countries. The aim of this study is to investigate factors affecting multiplicity of rural non-farm activities in the Kavar Township in the Fars province. Archival research was carried out for conducting this study as research method. Totally, 225 active rural households in various non-farm activities were selected using simple random sampling. The results showed that gender, annual household farm income, and the number of migrated members of household have a positive and significant effect on the dependent variable. The effect of benefiting from government loans on the number of non-farm activities was negative and significant. The prominent role of women in non-farm activities represents the importance of social and cultural dimensions of such activities. The results revealed that multiplicity of non-farm activities is not dependent on education. Therefore, it is not necessary to focus on education in development of rural non-farm activities. Some applicable recommendations have been presented at the end of the manuscript based on the research results.
Agricultural Extension and Education
Yadegar Momenpor; Hasan Sadighi; SHahla CHoobchian
Abstract
Today, with the arrival of chemical inputs in agriculture and excessive use of these inputs by farmers, irreparable damage has been done to the environment. Environmental sustainability included actions in line with environment in a long-term period. The use of long-term is due to environmental sustainability. ...
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Today, with the arrival of chemical inputs in agriculture and excessive use of these inputs by farmers, irreparable damage has been done to the environment. Environmental sustainability included actions in line with environment in a long-term period. The use of long-term is due to environmental sustainability. This study was designed to investigate factors affecting environmental behavior of wheat producers and it was done by a survey technique. The research population included all wheat producers in the Buokan Township (5473 people) and 136 of them were selected by using Krejcie and Morgan (1970) sampling Table. The sampling method was proportional stratified random sampling. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) via the LISREL software was used to evaluate validity and reliability of the research questionnaire. The results of confirmatory factor analysis confirm both "the validity and reliability" of the questionnaire and "the goodness of the latent variables". The results of structural equation modeling (SEM) showed that most of the research hypotheses were confirmed and the “institutional” construct has the most effect on the environmental behavior and 35 percent of the variance change is explained by this construct. On the other hand, factors Economic, Ecological and Social have been mentioned as important in affecting environmental behavior.
Agricultural Extension and Education
kambiz fallah mohammad hoseini; mohammad mohammadi; Azita Zand
Abstract
Promoting the quality of life is one of the key concepts of sustainable development that appears in all economic, social, cultural, environmental, physical and institutional fields. The main purpose of this article is measuring the sustainability of quality of life in rural settlements of the Hassanlou ...
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Promoting the quality of life is one of the key concepts of sustainable development that appears in all economic, social, cultural, environmental, physical and institutional fields. The main purpose of this article is measuring the sustainability of quality of life in rural settlements of the Hassanlou County that is from the Naghadeh County. The present study was conducted using descriptive-analytic method. The statistical population of the study consisted of two groups of rural households and local authorities. To determine the sample size, the Cochran model was used and available samples were used for sampling. Field information was gathered using a questionnaire. The collected data was analyzed using the SPSS software package and Pearson correlation coefficient, single sample T, one way analysis of variance, Tukey test and the multi-criteria decision making model WASPAS. The overall results from comparing the views of people and authorities showed that improving all of the indicators examined to sustain the quality of life in rural settlements is necessary. Therefore, there is a convergence between the views of both the people and the authorities. Overall, the research results showed that the level of quality of life in the studied range is lower than the average (with a score of 2.91). [1]Also, the results of the WASPAS analysis showed that the villages of Hasanlou, Baranye Kord and Sheikh Ahmad, ranked one, two and three, in terms of quality of life, and in comparison with other settlements, they are in a medium level of sustainability.
Agricultural Extension and Education
kiumars Zarafshani; shahnaz amirian
Abstract
During the past a few years, climate change has created a serious challenge for fish farmers. However , Vulnerability of fish farmers has been neglected. Therefore, the purpose of this qualitative study was to determine the vulnerability of fish farmers in Ghasre-Shirin fish farming complex. Using Community ...
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During the past a few years, climate change has created a serious challenge for fish farmers. However , Vulnerability of fish farmers has been neglected. Therefore, the purpose of this qualitative study was to determine the vulnerability of fish farmers in Ghasre-Shirin fish farming complex. Using Community based Risk Assessment (CRA) paradigm, 46 fish farmers participated in this study. The major premise of CRA is to assess vulnerability and adaptive strategies of fish farming community. Qualitative data was collected using focus group discussion, seasonal calendar, hazard map, vulnerability formula and mind mapping. Results revealed that fish farmers are aware of climate change and that they believed water scarcity, increased air temperature, and dust were the major changes occurring in the community. Fish farmers were most vulnerable towards water scarcity and higher temperature and less vulnerable towards dust. Results also revealed that climate change had a major impact on fish loss, shortened production cycle and lower fish production. Fish farmers used the following adaptive strategies: using mechanized machinery in the farm, using less fish density and releasing heavier weighted fish.The following recommendation are given based on the resulet: cultivation of resistant variteties,use of new technology in fish farming, governmental suffort ,and motivating adaptive strategies among fish farmers.
Agricultural Extension and Education
KhodaAfv Rashednasab; Mostafa Ahmadvand
Abstract
Climate change, including drought, has caused nomadic communities of the country to collapse. However, this productive society contributes significantly to the sustainability of livestock production. If the livelihoods of nomadic societies are not diversified, food security of other sectors of the society ...
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Climate change, including drought, has caused nomadic communities of the country to collapse. However, this productive society contributes significantly to the sustainability of livestock production. If the livelihoods of nomadic societies are not diversified, food security of other sectors of the society will be compromised. Therefore, the main question of the research is “what are the strategies for the development of livelihoods of nomads in the Gachsaran County?” This descriptive-analytic research is an applied approach that uses the SWOT technique to explain the strategies for improving livelihood in nomads in the Gachsaran County. Therefore, the SWOT analysis was conducted with the experts of the Kohgiluyeh & Boyer-Ahmad Nomad Affairs Organization. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants who had detailed knowledge about nomads situation of the Gachsaran County. For this purpose, the participant group consisted of all experts in the organization (12 persons) who participated in the study. The results showed that the total weight of internal factors evaluation matrix for internal factors tribes was 3.68. While external factors was 3.32 based on the results of the final weight. The findings indicated that the nomads weaknesses compared to the strengths of the total weight had more that is required to plan to minimize weaknesses and maximum use of opportunities to eliminate weaknesses. Matrix IE, defensive strategy (WT) takes into account and identifies the first strategic planning process for the development of the nomadic society of the Gachsaran county. Through this, it has to be specified that codification of the strategy has to be in accordance with the internal strengths and external factors of threats. Finally, in order to improve livelihood of this group, making a preparatory plan to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats specific to each system of tribal community with the participation of nomads and planners is recommended.
Agricultural Extension and Education
Somayeh Amrikochomi; SHahla CHoobchian; Hasan Sadighi
Abstract
Agriculture and its related activities have characteristics that make them vulnerable to multiple and unpredictable risks and damages that could cause extensive problems. Risk management is of great importance and a risk management tool in agriculture is agricultural product insurance. , Insurance is ...
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Agriculture and its related activities have characteristics that make them vulnerable to multiple and unpredictable risks and damages that could cause extensive problems. Risk management is of great importance and a risk management tool in agriculture is agricultural product insurance. , Insurance is the best mechanism to solve the many problems of farmers. The aim of this study is "Analysis of factors affecting the development of horticulture products insurance (palm and orange) in the south Kerman province". Data were collected by questionnaire and the statistical population included 2022 of gardeners of south Kerman (Jiroft city and Kahnooj). The sample size was 324 people and the convenience sampling technique was used to select samples for the research. The questionnaire’s reliability through Cronbach's alpha was obtained. Linear regression analysis showed that among the studied variables, four factors including economic factor, knowledge, attitude towards horticulture products insurance and the risk taking of the farmers, had the greatest impact on the horticulture products insurance, totally 54 percent of the dependent variable was explained. Given that, economic factor is known as the most important factor in the development of horticultural crops insurance. It is suggested that the amount of compensation to horticultural products be revised and specified compensation in the contract be paid on time to the farmers. Also, according to field observations, it should be mentioned that most of the farmers were unaware of agricultural loans. Therefore, in order to further increase the awareness of farmers in this area, immediate actions should be taken and governments can play a significant role in this respect. collectively 54 percent of the dependent variable was explained. Given that, economic factor known as the most important factor in the development of horticultural crops insurance, it is suggested that the amount of compensation to horticultural products be revised and specified compensation in the contract be payed on time to the farmers.
Agricultural Extension and Education
Mohammad Sadegh Ebrahimi; Hhasan Asadi KHob
Abstract
In the past decade, developments in economic, social, governing the country's population on the one hand and knowledge of the immigration movement has been severe and in some areas this displacement is associated with greater severity. Among the main causes of rural migration to cities is the issue of ...
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In the past decade, developments in economic, social, governing the country's population on the one hand and knowledge of the immigration movement has been severe and in some areas this displacement is associated with greater severity. Among the main causes of rural migration to cities is the issue of employment. Because one of the main reasons for migration unemployment and the nature of jobs The structural weaknesses in rural areas causes the villagers to gain better opportunities and seek to improve social conditions - economic and welfare of their lives to migrate to urban areas. Because the majority of jobs in rural areas are agriculture, investment and migration to the agricultural sector can reduce, eliminate unemployment and improve the welfare of the villagers. This study investigated the role and importance of agriculture in rural life and avoid the crowds in the city where Bahmai County has been made. The field research was a sample of 120 was calculated. The results show that the development of the agricultural sector is decreased by reducing rural-urban migration of rural income gap that the city has. Given the intensity of migration in this region, farmers were more lasting than other rural populations. According to the survey results, it is emphasized that the government's policy on investment and greater attention to agriculture as well as creating employment in rural areas seem to be necessary.
Agricultural Extension and Education
Zahra Hamedani; GHolamreza Mojaradi
Abstract
The main objective of this study is to measure grape growers’ knowledge of raisin processing and packaging in the Takestan Township and its’ correlation with use of information resources. The statistical population consists of 2462 grape growers in the central district of the Takestan Township ...
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The main objective of this study is to measure grape growers’ knowledge of raisin processing and packaging in the Takestan Township and its’ correlation with use of information resources. The statistical population consists of 2462 grape growers in the central district of the Takestan Township 240 of whom in 15 villages were selected based on the Cochran sampling formula and applying the multi-stage randomized stratified sampling method. A questionnaire was used for data collection which was satisfactory in terms of reliability and validity. The findings revealed that 867 percent of grape growers have access to a moderate level of knowledge about raisin processing and packaging. They have a good knowledge of pre-planting grape and have very little knowledge about packaging and storage of raisin. The respondents have a high level of access to expert grape growers’ among 13 information resources and communication channels. They emphasized on their experience, their relatives’ knowledge and expert grape growers’ as the most important source of knowledge for them. The results of correlation analysis showed that there is a positive meaningful correlation between grape growers’ knowledge and the coverage of extension and education services and access to information resources and communication channels. Also, there was a meaningful difference between the various academic groups in terms of knowledge, so the usage of new information tools in updating grape growers' knowledge is recommended.
Agricultural Extension and Education
Hossein Jaafarzade; Loghman Rashidpour; Solieman Rasouliazar
Abstract
The agricultural sector in the West Azerbaijan province is faced with problems such as lack of capital and investment. Therefore, non-governmental funds for agricultural investment are a suitable solution for correct injection of funds to the agricultural sector. The purpose of this research was to study ...
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The agricultural sector in the West Azerbaijan province is faced with problems such as lack of capital and investment. Therefore, non-governmental funds for agricultural investment are a suitable solution for correct injection of funds to the agricultural sector. The purpose of this research was to study the effects of Agricultural Supporting Fund in the West Azerbaijan province. The research methodology was a descriptive – survey. The statistical population included 173 organizations of fund shareholders from whom 120 samples were determined by using the Kerejcie and Morgan table. The sampling and selection technique used for choosing the sample society was the stratified random sampling technique. The main tool of data collection was simple random sampling. The main tool of data collection was a questionnaire whose validity and reliability was confirmed by experts and Cronbach's alpha coefficient was between 0.712 to 0.935. Data were analyzed by using the SPSS (V.21) software. The R-factor analysis was used to explain the effects of the agricultural supporting fund on agricultural development in the West Azarbaijan province. The results of factor analyses showed that the effects of Agricultural Investment Fund in the West Azerbaijan Province can be classified in 5 effects that include; Economic effects, Social effects, Production effects, Skill effects and Educational effects. These items explained 71.42% of the total variation related to the Agricultural Investment Fund effects in the West Azarbaijan Province.
Agricultural Extension and Education
Vakil Heidari Sarban; Sohila Bakhtar
Abstract
Abstract: The present study is aimed to investigate the role of rural production cooperatives in promoting psychological empowerment of wheat farmers who are members in the production cooperatives in the city of west Islamabad. This study is practical in terms of purpose, and its entity is descriptive- ...
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Abstract: The present study is aimed to investigate the role of rural production cooperatives in promoting psychological empowerment of wheat farmers who are members in the production cooperatives in the city of west Islamabad. This study is practical in terms of purpose, and its entity is descriptive- analytical. The study population consisted of 1137 farmers which are member of the rural cooperatives in 11 villages of west Islamabad. The sample size is estimated to be 170 on the basis of Cochran formula. In order to compare the results, 170 wheat farmers who were not member in rural cooperatives were selected from the same villages. The method of data gathering is survey and the tool used in the study is a questionnaire. To determine the questions for the questionnaire, five indicators of psychological empowerment were used in the form of 35 items (i.e. self-determination, competence, worth, effectiveness and trust). The formal validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by a panel of experts. The study was conducted in the same area with the population of 30 and the questionnaire and the data were analyzed using the special formula of Cronbach’s alpha in the SPSS software. The reliability of the questionnaire was 0.84. According to the results of data analysis, it was shown that, among the five indicators of psychological empowerment in this study and considering the average differences between the two groups of members and non-members, it was said that there is a positive and significant relationship between membership in the production cooperatives and psychological empowerment of wheat farmers. Thus, the average of the members is 4.35 and the average of non-member wheat farmers is 3.61. The results of independent t test indicate a significant difference between the two groups. It was found that rural production cooperatives are effective tools for psychological empowerment of wheat farmers and rural development. Membership in this cooperatives provides the necessary context for the initiative, competence and intellectual personality of the members.
Agricultural Extension and Education
Bahman Khosravipour; Soheila Pourjavid
Abstract
Entrepreneurship is a process that plays a critical role in the continued growth and national development plays. Its importance to the point that economists, entrepreneurs are the engine of economic growth and development. Promote women's entrepreneurial activities, effective stimulus to growth and economic ...
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Entrepreneurship is a process that plays a critical role in the continued growth and national development plays. Its importance to the point that economists, entrepreneurs are the engine of economic growth and development. Promote women's entrepreneurial activities, effective stimulus to growth and economic development and improve the quality of their life is. The aim of this study was to identify factors affecting the development of entrepreneurship in small businesses (SME) Rural Women Islamabad city was using the techniques of content analysis. This form of qualitative research is done with the participation of 48 entrepreneurship Rural Women Islamabad city. Information is collected through interviews with women entrepreneurs, and Content analysis was used to analyze the data. The content analysis showed that, personal factors, environmental factors, Socio-cultural factors, motivational factors, Education and extension, Policy factors and management factors, the general factors that are influencing the entrepreneurship in small businesses (SME) Rural. Therefore, with regard to the results of the analysis has been done to increase slightly the number of entrepreneurs in rural, Quality improvement category entrepreneurship in rural small businesses (SME) and the culture of entrepreneurship And self-employed in rural communities, especially among rural women whose arms are capable of rural activities, Policy to encourage and support small businesses (SME) Rural women are recommended by the government. Therefore Regarding the variables of each of these components and strengthen them can Motivate women in rural areas and development of the business in the village.
Agricultural Extension and Education
Tahereh Maleki; parviz golparvar; shapur zarifian
Abstract
Rural entrepreneurship, as an economic force for sustainable rural development plays a key role in the achievement of social and economic development in a society. One of the best examples of rural entrepreneurship is rural micro business that creates jobs, generate wealth and contribute to a more equitable ...
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Rural entrepreneurship, as an economic force for sustainable rural development plays a key role in the achievement of social and economic development in a society. One of the best examples of rural entrepreneurship is rural micro business that creates jobs, generate wealth and contribute to a more equitable distribution of income that much attention has been paid by rural development experts to it, recently. But, unfortunately, based on evidence, development of rural micro businesses in our country has faced many challenges. Therefore, the purpose of this survey research was to determine the Barriers Factors for developing rural micro-businesses. 130 head of household was selected using stratified random sampling technique. The results of factor analysis showed, four factors instance: the weakness of socio-cultural structure that affecting on rural entrepreneurship, technical-Protective barriers, Manufacturing-marketing barriers, institutional-legal barriers determined 59.4 percent of total variance barriers to rural micro business development. The results of this study have practical implications for is entrepreneurship policy – makers due to resolve rural micro business barriers and provide required strategies for developing them.
Agricultural Extension and Education
Somayeh shahbazi; Aliasghar mirakzadeh; Amirhossein alibaygi
Abstract
Social health is essential in the social development of rural folks, especially rural women, in the welfare and promotion of their social and human capital. The purpose of this study is to determine the level of social health and its challenges from the perspective of rural women in the Kermanshah province. ...
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Social health is essential in the social development of rural folks, especially rural women, in the welfare and promotion of their social and human capital. The purpose of this study is to determine the level of social health and its challenges from the perspective of rural women in the Kermanshah province. The research method used is descriptive-survey based on documentary and field method (using a questionnaire tool). The statistical population consisted of rural women in the Ghalaeshahin district in the province of Kermanshah (5561 people). 209 such women were selected according to Bartlett et al. Chart by two-stage cluster sampling. The results showed that most of the subjects studied had a moderate level of social health, communication skills and social support. Among the variables studied in the research, watching TV, active recreation, communication skills and social support with social health of rural women had a significant relationship. Finally, 49 percent of the variance was for the variables of active recreation, watching television and communication skills. In order to identify social health challenges, exploratory factor analysis was used and finally the five challenges namely economic, cultural, individual, institutional and management were determined. The most important challenge was the economic challenge that covered 13.43 percent of the total variance. Since communication skills and social health of rural women is moderate, we recommend that social health centers of welfare organization, national youth organizations and or rural extension agents as a social worker, with the participation of rural women to develop the educational content of communication skills and social health promotion.
Agricultural Extension and Education
Asghar Bagheri; Naier Emami; Mahnaz Mohamadzadeh
Abstract
Cooperatives by strengthening social capital play an important role in improving the performance of social, cultural and the environmental institutions and improve the effectiveness of their role. The aim of this study was to compare social capital of active and inactive agricultural production cooperatives ...
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Cooperatives by strengthening social capital play an important role in improving the performance of social, cultural and the environmental institutions and improve the effectiveness of their role. The aim of this study was to compare social capital of active and inactive agricultural production cooperatives in Ardabil County of Iran. Survey research method was used in this study. All members of agricultural production cooperatives consisted the statistical population of the study (N= 2009). Using stratified random sampling method, a sample consisting 180 members of both groups of the cooperatives was selected for data collection. A researchers made questionnaire including four dimensions of social capital and demographic characteristics was used as instrument of the study. The instrument was validated by a panel of experts consisting faculty members and bureau of cooperative. Cronbach's alpha coefficients showed high reliability of the instrument (α= 0.720-0.938). Stratified random sampling was used. Based on the results, significant difference was found between active and inactive cooperatives in relation to all components of social capital and members of active cooperatives showed higher level of social capital than their counterparts in inactive co-ops. The status of most components of social capital in active cooperatives was in high-level and medium level was identified in inactive cooperatives. Based on the variables of gender, marital status, education levels and years of membership, significant difference was found between members of active co-ops.
Agricultural Extension and Education
Mahdi Javanshiri; Khadijeh Bozarjomehri; Omolbanin Harati; Hamideh Mahmoudi
Abstract
Not so long ago, the main obstacle to the development of undeveloped countries was thought to be the lack of capital. However, today it is believed that capital is a necessary condition for development, but not the sufficient one. Therefore, one of the strategies to achieve economic development is to ...
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Not so long ago, the main obstacle to the development of undeveloped countries was thought to be the lack of capital. However, today it is believed that capital is a necessary condition for development, but not the sufficient one. Therefore, one of the strategies to achieve economic development is to make use of an efficient financial system to circulate stagnant capitals in the community. Accordingly, micro-credits were introduced in developing countries over the past 30 years, aiming to provide low-income groups with financial services. These funds are used to provide villagers with loans, particularly those who are active in production. The availability of liquidity helps villagers meet their financial needs and start a production process and get agricultural products for plantings. The study also aimed to examine the role of microcredits in rural development, with emphasis on the impact of geographical factors in attracting such funds in mountainous and plain rural area of the Mashhad County. This study is an applied research carried out in a descriptive-analytical method. Based on Cochran's formula, 207 rural households were selected. The ratio of households in each area was also calculated by Cochran's formula to be a total of 90 households from mountainous areas, and 118 households from plain areas that were selected. The required data were collected from library sources and the survey (questionnaires) among the households that received the funds. The results showed that the effectiveness of microcredits is not significantly different in mountainous and plain areas. However, there is a significant difference between the two areas considering the difficulties and satisfaction level of villagers in getting the loans, such that villagers in plain areas were more satisfied than those in mountainous areas.
Agricultural Extension and Education
Ehsan Khosravi; saeed gholamrezai; mehdi rahimian; morteza akbari
Abstract
Nowadays, development of agricultural cooperatives is a key strategy for rural development in many countries. In this regard, the key role that Organizational entrepreneurship plays in organizational success, especially in the agricultural sector, should not be ignored. The main purpose of this study ...
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Nowadays, development of agricultural cooperatives is a key strategy for rural development in many countries. In this regard, the key role that Organizational entrepreneurship plays in organizational success, especially in the agricultural sector, should not be ignored. The main purpose of this study is to determine the status of organizational entrepreneurship in agricultural cooperatives. The statistical population consisted of poultry cooperative members of the Kermanshah province in the west of Iran (N=1012). A sample of 220 respondents was selected using Cochran's formula by the stratified random sampling method. To collect data, a questionnaire adapted from the standard questionnaire developed by Antonice and Histrich (2001) and Scheepers et al. (2008) was used. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by faculty members at the Universities of Tehran, Lorestan and agricultural cooperative experts in the Kermanshah Province. Cronbach's alpha was used to estimate the reliability of the questionnaire. The reliability was found to be acceptable. In this study, the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics, which was conducted by using the SPSS20 software. The results showed that organizational entrepreneurship in cooperatives included four dimensions of risk-taking, innovation, proactiveness, and strategic renewal. It is recommended that the managers of cooperatives and members use innovative ideas of the members of cooperatives to prepare the grounds for strengthening organizational entrepreneurship in cooperatives so that the possibility and requirements for sustainable rural development is provided.
Agricultural Extension and Education
Parisa Najafloo; Enayat Abbasi; Homayon Farhadian
Abstract
The main purpose of this study is to investigate the factors affecting grape producer's information seeking behavior in the Zanjan province. The research was a descriptive and correlational study that was conducted by using a survey method. The statistical population consisted of all grape producers ...
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The main purpose of this study is to investigate the factors affecting grape producer's information seeking behavior in the Zanjan province. The research was a descriptive and correlational study that was conducted by using a survey method. The statistical population consisted of all grape producers in 2014 cropping seasons (N =32871) in the Zanjan province. Using Krejcie and Morgan's (1970) sample-size Tale, 379 grape producers were selected as the sample population (n =379). The samples were selected through convenience sampling method. Data were collected by using a questionnaire, which was validated by a panel of agricultural extension and education and horticulture experts and the reliability was gained through a pilot test with Cronbach's alpha coefficient between 0.73 and 0.86. The data were analyzed by using the SPSS software. The results of the research showed that about 80 percent of farmers had weak to moderate information seeking behavior. Among the cities, Khoramdeh had the highest percentage of grape producers in the moderate seeking behavior cluster and the other cities had the highest percentage of grape producers in the low seeking behavior clusters. Although the grape producers in different clusters had a high level of access to the agricultural management experts, this information source was not one of the highly usable sources. In contrast, family members and other farmers play an important role in meeting their information needs. Grape producers in different clusters of information seeking behavior had different individual, professional and management characteristics
Agricultural Extension and Education
Bahman Khosravipour; Mona Dorani; Omid Mehrab Ghoochani
Abstract
The main purpose of the present study is to measure the food insecurity status of the Bawi Township in the Khuzestan province. This is a cross sectional descriptive study. The population used in this study included all of the rural families in the central part of the Bawi district. Among them, 198 people ...
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The main purpose of the present study is to measure the food insecurity status of the Bawi Township in the Khuzestan province. This is a cross sectional descriptive study. The population used in this study included all of the rural families in the central part of the Bawi district. Among them, 198 people were selected using the convenience sampling method. Data was collected by using the Radimer-Cornel questionnaire. The results revealed that in total only 12 percent of the respondents were food secure and 87 percent experienced on of the forms of food insecurity such as food insecurity without hunger, with medium hunger and with serious hunger. The results also showed that the highest frequency was related to food insecure without hunger. The results showed that women are in a more food insecure situation than men. Also, the educational level of the heads of households led to a difference in the household's food insecurity. In addition, the results showed that income entered the regression equation of factors affecting household food insecurity and determined 29% of the variation of the variance of the dependent variable.
Agricultural Extension and Education
bahram imani; Soheyla Bakhtar; Saied Jafari
Abstract
Organic farming is a holistic production management system which enhances agro ecosystem health by maintaining and enhancing biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. However, there are many obstacles in the way of implementing this system. . Hence, identifying the barriers and promoters ...
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Organic farming is a holistic production management system which enhances agro ecosystem health by maintaining and enhancing biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. However, there are many obstacles in the way of implementing this system. . Hence, identifying the barriers and promoters of rural perspective is essential. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the aspects of rural communities in relation with the barriers and promoters of organic farming. This research study is an applied research that is based on a descriptive analytical approach. The statistical population used in this study consists of 64 villages with over 20 households in the central part of the city of Ardabil with a total population of 50039. According to the Cochran formula, the sample size was estimated to be 356. In order to gather the required information library and field methods were used. The indicators that were designed for preparing the questionnaire were economic, technical-information, management and social factors in two dimensions of restrictive and leading factors in the form of 42 variables. The SPSS19 and Lisrel software packages were used in order to analyze the data. Based on the results, among the organic farming restrictions, social factors had the maximum amount of restricting effect and economic factors had the minimum amount of restricting effect. Among the promoting factors, technical and informational factors had the greatest impact on the advancement of organic agriculture and the economic factors had the least impact.
Agricultural Extension and Education
Nasim Izadi; Ahmad yaghoubi Farani
Abstract
The weak performance of the public sector (in agricultural extension systems) in providing services in recent decades has led to the presence of new agents in the field of agricultural extension and rural development. The resulting functional diversity and pluralism structure including governmental, ...
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The weak performance of the public sector (in agricultural extension systems) in providing services in recent decades has led to the presence of new agents in the field of agricultural extension and rural development. The resulting functional diversity and pluralism structure including governmental, private and non-governmental results in the facilitation of the participation of actors in various subjects. The aim of this study is to determine the function of organizations in Iran as a pluralistic extension system. The study was conducted by Delphi. The population of the study were 50 subject experts. The Delphi method of sampling is not used here, but a panel of experts on the subject with expertise and professional experience should be chosen. This research was conducted in three stages. Fourteen organizations and five categories of functioning were introduced by the panel of experts. The function of each organization was identified after removing the items on which there was less than 80 percent overall agreement. The results showed that in a pluralist system the extension of an organization can provide a service in return for payment. Therefore, the audience turns to one of the organizations based on his/her needs and conditions and the choice of the quality of service. Usually, the competitive nature of this work provides for improvement of services.
Agricultural Extension and Education
Hamdollah Sojasi Qidari; Zahra Behrooz
Abstract
Selection of a given cropping pattern can have serious results on the farmers’ life and rural society because of the multi dimensionality of agriculture. However, in many cases, farmers are inclined to change the cropping pattern because of changes in natural situations, changes in demand and consumption, ...
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Selection of a given cropping pattern can have serious results on the farmers’ life and rural society because of the multi dimensionality of agriculture. However, in many cases, farmers are inclined to change the cropping pattern because of changes in natural situations, changes in demand and consumption, etc. One of the most important and effective factors of change cropping pattern amongst Iranian farmers in recent years is the drought problem. One of the more current cultural method changes in the Khorasan region is inclination to saffron cultivation that can have various economic, social and environmental effects. Thus, this research paid attention to the investigation of changes from cultivation method from drought to the economic, social and environmental dimensions of saffron production amongst the villagers of the Zebarkhan district of the Khorasan Razavi province. Analytical-description methodology was used for this purpose. Data collection was done using the library- field methodology with researcher’s questionnaire whose narrative is 0.78 according to Cronbach's alpha method. Therefore, by using the Cochran formula with the intended level of 0.05, 142 farmers have been selected by available sampling method that have changed their cropping pattern to saffron production because of water shortages and drought. Then, their ideas were analyzed considering cases of economic, social and environmental effects of cropping pattern change to saffron production. The results showed meaningful changes in all research indices except for increase of cultivation surface area. Moreover, the most important changes of cropping pattern and switching over to saffron production have been identified using the Shannon entropy weighing method. In addition, the shown the revealed with continuation of differences of the changes in cropping pattern of saffron between the various villages were analyzed by using the multi-index TOPSIS. Finally, it was shown that the Harim Abad village with a score of 1 for the coefficients of each of the three dimensions has been selected to have been most affected by changes in cropping pattern while the Kalateh Soltani village with a coefficient of 0.183 has been the least affected.
Agricultural Extension and Education
Hesamedin Gholami; Rasool Lavaei Adaryani; Mehdi Tafvizi
Abstract
The importance of bio-fertilizers has increased because of the negative consequences of using chemical fertilizers. This study that was conducted in the Zanjan County was aimed at examining the factors that affect farmers' perceived compatibility of bio- fertilizers. In this regard, among 313 active ...
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The importance of bio-fertilizers has increased because of the negative consequences of using chemical fertilizers. This study that was conducted in the Zanjan County was aimed at examining the factors that affect farmers' perceived compatibility of bio- fertilizers. In this regard, among 313 active farmers in the Zanjan county, 135 farmers were contacted and surveyed through a convenient sampling to examine two categories of effective factors, i.e. personal (knowledge about and attitude toward bio-fertilizers) and environmental (economic accessibility, physical accessibility to bio-fertilizers and policy and support structures) factors. Binary logistic regression and discriminant analysis were applied to examine the consistency of the results. The results of two techniques showed that improving policy and support increased farmers' perceived computability and providing economic facilities decreased it. Furthermore, the results revealed that farmers' knowledge and attitude did not have a significant effect on the perceived compatibility.
Agricultural Extension and Education
Mahnaz mohammadzadeh; Hussein Shaban fami; naser motiee; mohamadreza sanjabi
Abstract
During recent years, animal organic productions have been of interest to producers, policy makers and consumers around the world. The aim of the present study is identification of organic milk production difficulties in the Ardabil province by using the cross – correlation method. The population ...
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During recent years, animal organic productions have been of interest to producers, policy makers and consumers around the world. The aim of the present study is identification of organic milk production difficulties in the Ardabil province by using the cross – correlation method. The population under study included 200 livestock experts and consultancy company staff of this province and the effective sample size used was 120 that was obtained by Cochran statistics. The sampling and selection technique used for choosing the sample society was the stratified random sampling technique. The main tool of data collection was a questionnaire whose validity was not only confirmed by experts but its Cronbach alpha coefficient was 95%. The results showed that the 9 main difficulties were inefficiencies of institutional infrastructure, research infrastructure, market infrastructure, development and implementation of guidelines, cultural and psychological inadequacy of infrastructure, existence of production risk, and ineffectiveness of the services offered to producers, inadequacy of knowledge and information ranchers and inefficiency of management of animal units. These items covered 69.75% of the total variation related to the difficulties of organic milk production in this province.
Agricultural Extension and Education
Masoud Yazdanpanah; Fatemeh Salari
Abstract
Pistachio is a valuable export product, but its export is faced with serious challenges due to aflatoxin. Given the importance of growers’ role in the prevention of aflatoxin in pistachio, the aim of this article is investigating pistachio growers’ intention regarding prevention of aflatoxin ...
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Pistachio is a valuable export product, but its export is faced with serious challenges due to aflatoxin. Given the importance of growers’ role in the prevention of aflatoxin in pistachio, the aim of this article is investigating pistachio growers’ intention regarding prevention of aflatoxin through the health belief model. The research population consists of 330 of pistachio growers in the Sirjan city in the Kerman province. Amongst the 330 samples, 120 of them were selected through simple random sampling. A questionnaire was the research tool and its validity of the questionnaire was approved by a panel of experts. Its reliability was confirmed by Cronbach alpha reliability coefficients (0.7 to 0.9). Also, the results of regression analysis revealed that the variables showing guide to action were the main predictor of growers’ intention. In addition to self-efficacy and perceived barriers, this variable can predict nearly 36% of the variance of pistachio growers’ intention regarding the prevention of aflatoxin. The results could be used for policy making and planning in relation to strategies to prevent the production of aflatoxin in pistachios.
