Agricultural Extension and Education
Kobra Karimi; Esmail Karamidehkordi; Mohammad Badsar
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the action of rangeland-depended livestock holders regarding rangeland conservation, including protection and rehabilitation activities and to analyse relevant influencing factors, using a mixed method of survey and case study. The data were collected through ...
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The aim of this study was to investigate the action of rangeland-depended livestock holders regarding rangeland conservation, including protection and rehabilitation activities and to analyse relevant influencing factors, using a mixed method of survey and case study. The data were collected through analysing existing documents, focus groups, semi-structured and structured interviews using questionnaires submitted to 204 rural livestock holders in the Mahneshan Township. The quantitative data were analysed using SPSS and AMOS software. According to the results farmers’ knowledge regarding the role, importance and factors affecting rangeland degradation was relatively high, however they had a low level of knowledge and action about mechanical conservation techniques. The action of livestock holders in terms of biological conservation activities and grazing management showed a positive and signifincat corrletaion with variables such as implementing of rangeland projects, their interaction with external institutions, participating in extension training courses, education level and irrigated and rainfed agricultural land size. Moreover, based on a path analysis, 37% of the variance of the farmers’ actions regarding the rangeland conservation was explained by the variables such as rangeland rehabilitation actions, farmers’ conservation knowledge, farmers’ interaction with natural resources experts, beekeeping, and participating in extension training courses. Promotional and extension activities and farmers’ interaction with experts have a positive effect in enhancing farmers’ knowledge and actions for sustainable rangeland use and conservation.
Agricultural Extension and Education
Somayeh Chegini; Ali Shams; ahmad Gheidi; Esmail Karami Dehkordi
Abstract
The marketing behavior of olive farmers is different and their behavior is affected by several factors. Because of the strategic importance of olive in the agricultural economics of the Tarom Township, this descriptive - correlational study was aimed to investigate the marketing behavior of olive farmers ...
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The marketing behavior of olive farmers is different and their behavior is affected by several factors. Because of the strategic importance of olive in the agricultural economics of the Tarom Township, this descriptive - correlational study was aimed to investigate the marketing behavior of olive farmers and the relevant factors effective in the Tarom Township. The statistical population under study consisted of all of the olive farmers in the Tarom Township in 2013 (N=7500) 160 of whom were selected by randomized multi-stage sampling based on Cochran's sampling formula. The research tool was a questionnaire whose validity was verified by a panel of experts in this field and its reliability were obtained by calculating the Cronbach's alpha coefficient greater than 0.7 for composite indices. The results showed that olive farmers market their olive products by three methods named as green, canned and broken and the variables of age, olive price, quantity and quality of production, size of garden, number of participants in extension classes and risk taking status have a significant relationship with marketing behavior of the farmers.
