Rural Development Strategies

Abstract The dependency of agriculture on environmental conditions has caused the activity in this sector to face natural and unnatural risks. Due to the progress of science and the use of advanced technologies in agriculture, most of the farmers in Iran still use their knowledge based on past experiences and advanced technology. It is very important to use agricultural consulting services and new knowledge in this field to minimize the losses of gardeners caused by natural and unnatural hazards. In this study, in a quantitative framework and in the structure of econometric models, while analyzing farmers' behavior towards the willingness to accept agricultural consulting services, an effort was made to establish the necessary knowledge of factors affecting the willingness to accept agricultural consulting services by pistachio farmers of Sabzevar city. In this regard, the logit model was used to investigate the factors affecting the acceptance of agricultural consulting services in Sabzevar city. 280 pistachio gardeners in Sabzevar city were selected by random sampling and all questionnaires were completed through face-to-face interviews in 2018. The results of the estimation showed that variables such as farmers' place of residence, yield level, and total water hours available to farmers in a year have a significant positive effect on the likelihood of accepting agricultural consultancy services, while variables such as the number of household members employed, cultivation diversity, and the frequency of risks borne by each farmer have a significant negative effect on the likelihood of accepting agricultural consultancy services. According to the results, suggestions such as the necessary measures to strengthen the functions of promotion and agricultural consultations were presented considering the high risk conditions in agriculture and their high impact on the economic efficiency of farmers.

Abstract In recent years, a combination of natural and human factors, including prolonged drought, decreased precipitation, overexploitation of water resources in desert regions, and the destruction of vegetation cover, particularly in the eastern areas of Iraq—has contributed to the intensification of the dust phenomenon. The western provinces of Iran are among the regions most affected by this phenomenon. The present study was conducted in 2025 with the aim of analyzing the effects of dust storms on farmers' attitudes toward the continuation of agricultural occupation in Gilangharb County. This research was a survey study, and data were collected using a questionnaire. The validity of the instrument was confirmed by the faculty members of the Department of Agricultural Extension and Education at Tarbiat Modares University, and its reliability was established through Cronbach's alpha coefficient, which ranged from 0.75 to 0.82 for different sections of the questionnaire. The statistical population consisted of 5,600 farmers in Gilan-e-Gharb County, from which a sample size of 357 individuals was determined based on the Krejcie and Morgan table. The samples were selected using stratified random sampling with proportional allocation. The results of correlation analysis showed that variables including health factors (0.599), economic factors (0.557), social factors (0.529), and environmental factors (0.544) had a significant positive relationship with the dependent variable of the study. Furthermore, regression findings indicated that four variables, health (0.415), economic (0.255), environmental (0.185) and social (0.178), had the greatest influence on farmers' attitudes toward the continuation of farming, respectively, and together explained 58.6% of the variance in the dependent variable. The findings of this research can be utilized by agricultural education managers, extension agents, curriculum planners, and rural development policymakers in designing educational and extension interventions aimed at mitigating the effects of dust storms on the sustainability of agricultural livelihoods.

Abstract Nowadays, E-learning has been seriously considered in educational systems. Given this necessity, the agricultural extension and education system has also established the Agricultural Education Network (SHAK) as a web-based learning network. Therefore, the continuous improvement of service quality in any e-learning system is essential. Accordingly, the main purpose of this survey research was to analyze the service quality components of the agricultural education network (SHAK) as perceived by educators, which was conducted in 1401 (2022-2023). The statistical population of the study consisted of educators (N= 2415), out of whom 332 people were determined as the sample using Cochran's formula and stratified random sampling. A researcher-made questionnaire was the main data collection tool. Its validity was approved by a panel of experts and construct validity (AVE Index). Reliability of the questionnaire was approved by calculating the Cronbach's alpha and composite reliability (CR). The collected data were analyzed by SPSS22 and LISREL software. The ranking of service quality components of the Agricultural Education Network revealed that, from the perspective of the surveyed educators, the "educators" and "content", with averages of 3.79 and 3.60 out of five respectively, were in the highest ranks, while "planning and implementation" and "results", with averages of 3.44 and 3.29 out of five respectively, were in the lowest ranks. Furthermore, the results of the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) after entering 43 indicators showed that the service quality model of the agricultural education network consisted of six main components: infrastructure-support, planning and implementation, content, educators, learner, and results. The homogeneity and reliability of the model’s indicators were confirmed, and the research data showed a good fit with the factor structure and theoretical foundation of the study. At the same time, the content component accounted for the highest factor loading (0.96). Accordingly, in order to improve the quality of this network's services, enhance the user-friendliness of the system, provide educational content appropriate for e-learning, adjust the educational schedule based on the learner’s needs, improve educators' competencies, and continuously evaluate the components of this network, it is suggested.

Abstract In developing countries, young people are not only future leaders but also part of the human capital to achieve development. The unwillingness of young people to choose agricultural jobs is a serious threat to achieving sustainable rural development. The purpose of the research was to analyze the factors affecting the motivation of rural youth to choose agricultural jobs in the Maku free zone. The research was conducted using a survey method and questionnaire tool in 2016. The statistical population included all rural youth aged 15-24 in Maku Free Zone, 128 of whom were selected as samples by random sampling method. Data were analyzed by applying the chi-square test, phi and Eta coefficients, logistic regression, and SPSS software. The results showed that 74.2% of young people are interested in choosing agricultural jobs and 25.8% are interested in choosing non-agricultural jobs. Four variables including, the youth's view of agriculture (with Exp., 4.932), the literacy level of young people (with Exp., 0.538), the literacy level of the respondent's father (with Exp., 0.711), and marriage (with Exp., 1.350) explained their choice for agricultural jobs. Therefore, it is suggested that governmental and non-governmental organizations and institutions, while giving importance to the agricultural sector in macro-politics and introducing successful models of agriculture promote the value of work and employment in the agricultural sector so that, it is considered as part of the norms of the society. In addition, using free zone potential, the government can help their employment in the agricultural field by allocating land and water, providing facilities, and developing transformational and complementary industries.

Abstract Abstract

Food security remains central in the United Nation Development Agenda (2030) as highlighted in the Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs 2). Food insecurity is an important topic among development practitioners.

The main goal of this study is to assessment the food insecurity of urban and rural households using the food insecurity experience scale in a descriptive-survey method in Behmai county, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad provinces.The statistical population of the research included the heads of urban and rural households in Behmai county, and 400 households were selected for study using a multi-stage stratified sampling method.

The required data has been collected through the standard household food insecurity scale questionnaire (HFIAS) in 2022. The results of the research showed that the majority of urban and rural households are in a relatively secure food situation. So that 22% of the study households are in a food secure situation, 58.5% mildly food insecure, 15% have moderate food insecurity and only 4.5% have very severe food insecurity.

The findings of the research indicate a statistically significant difference between urban and rural households in the index of food insecurity. The comparison test showed that the food insecurity situation between different income groups had a statistically significant difference, but there was no significant difference between different social observation groups. It is suggested to use other methods of measuring insecurity and food security of the household in order to present a comprehensive and expressive picture of the food security of the household. It is also suggested that in the conditions of inflation and severe economic pressure on the poor classes and society, to support these classes by allocating food subsidies and increasing financial support. Therefore, the adoption of support and compensation policies of the government should be proportional to the point inflation rate of producers and consumers and in such a way which leads to sustainable production and consumption patterns.

Abstract Climate change and lowering of the water level of Lake Urmia by having a negative impact on agriculture and livelihoods of rural households in the Urmia Lake Basin can cause changes in the livelihood resilience level of rural households. Considering that geographical factors are an important factor in livelihood resilience, the present study has compared the livelihood resilience of rural households in the Urmia Lake Basin in terms of location of villages. To investigate the status of resilience, the indexing method has been used, which in the present study has three sub-indices: buffer capacity, self-organization and learning capacity. The research tool for data collection was a questionnaire whose validity was confirmed by the opinions of faculty members of Zanjan University and Urmia University. Alpha Cronbach's coefficient was used to evaluate the reliability of the questionnaire. The statistical population of the study was rural households in Urmia Lake basin in two provinces of East and West Azerbaijan. The results showed that the average resilience was 0.44, which indicated moderate resilience. The mean values of self-organization, learning capacity and buffer capacity were 0.55, 0.37 and 0.46, respectively. The results of mean comparison tests showed that the mean resilience in the two provinces of East and West Azerbaijan had a significant difference (t=2/50, p=0/013) and East Azerbaijan province was more resilient. Also, the average indicators and components of buffer capacity (t=3/86, p=0/000), natural, economic and social capital were significantly different and were higher in West Azerbaijan. The mean components of self-organization (t=2/98, p=0/003), learning capacity (t=4/12, p=0/000), debt trust, job exchange, commitment to learning, planning, experimentation, participation in access to information and feedback mechanism were significantly higher in East Azerbaijan. The average resilience of rural households in the Urmia Lake Basin in coastal and non-coastal villages was not significantly different (t=1/486, p=0/138) from each other, but the average buffer capacity (t=3/563, p=0/000), social capital, natural capital and knowledge of opportunities and threats were significantly higher in coastal villages. The mean indicators of self-reliance, local laws and customs and network were significantly higher in non-coastal villages.

Abstract The linkage between research and extension has always been considered as one of the most important and challenging issues in agricultural innovation systems. After the implementation of the agricultural extension new system, the linkage between these two sectors was considered as an important component. The main purpose of this survey research (which was done in 2021-2022) was to analyzing effective linkage mechanisms between research and extension in the agricultural extension new system in Iran. The statistical population of the study consisted of extension agents (N= 1113) in Alborz, Fars, Sistan & Baluchestan and Lorestan Provinces, out of whom 291 extension agents determined as sample using Krejcie and Morgan sampling table and proportionate stratified sampling technique. Data were collected through a questionnaire, validity of which was approved by a panel of experts and construct validity (AVE Index). Reliability of the questionnaire was approved by calculating the Cronbach's alpha and composite reliability (CR). The collected data were analyzed by SPSS22 and Smart PLS3 software. Results of prioritizing effective linkage mechanisms between research and extension indicated that "motivation" and "monitoring and evaluation" mechanisms, respectively, with the average of 3.85 and 3.80 were in the highest ranks and "structural-functional" and "participatory" mechanisms, respectively, with the average of 3.66 and 3.67 were in the lowest ranks. In addition, the results of confirmatory factor analysis confirmed that these mechanisms had eight components (i.e. motivation, participation, infrastructure-support, legal-policy, structural-functional, monitoring - evaluation, communication and training-empowerment), that “motivation” and “communication” components had the highest and lowest values of standard coefficient (0.964 and 0.786). Accordingly, it is recommended to improve the linkage between research and extension through: motivation, participation in the multilevel planning process, using the capacities of the non-governmental sector, training and empowerment programs, structural reforms, providing the necessary facilities and infrastructure and use of information and communication technology.

Abstract Increasing the consumption of medicinal plants has many benefits, including creating employment and generating income for producers, especially in rural communities whose livelihoods are highly dependent on nature. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the factors affecting the consumption of medicinal plants and its status in the market in order to provide the most important factors for the development of this type of exploitation. This study examines the presentation and consumption of medicinal plants and the attitude and belief of people in it in the perfumeries of Torbat Heydarieh. Descriptive research method and collection tool was done using a questionnaire designed by the researcher. The statistical population of this study was the most important and significant perfumers of Torbat Heydariyeh and buyers of medicinal plants. The sample size using the Cochran's formula is equal to 383 which includes127 prominent perfumers of Torbat Heydarieh city and 256 buyers of medicinal plants were selected. After collecting the data by a questionnaire, the research data were analyzed using SPSS23 software. The results showed that there was a significant and positive relationship between the manner of keeping medicinal plants and the amount of consumption of people (r = 0.32) and the relationship between the supply of medicinal plants and the amount of consumption of people (r = 0.390) Was obtained. Between people's attitudes and beliefs about the effectiveness of medicinal plants and Consumption of people (r = 0.582) and a significant and positive relationship was obtained between having a degree related to medicinal plants and the amount of consumption of medicinal plants by people (r = 0.376). Therefore, only by increasing the awareness of consumers about the benefits of using medicinal plants and also by changing the way of supplying medicinal plants from traditional to modern methods, it is possible to help the development of the market of medicinal plants.

Abstract Although Sistan and Baluchestan Province is renowned for its handicrafts and has the potential ‎to contribute significantly to the local economy, the industry has not yet met expectations. The ‎downturn in demand in the handicraft market has not only eroded the incentive to enter this ‎industry, but also made some people unemployed in this area and had other side effects, such as ‎an increase in rural-to-city migration and the lack of production of some handicrafts. In this ‎regard, the purpose of this study is to evaluate and rate barriers to market development in the ‎handicraft cooperatives of this province. The present research is applied and quantitative and ‎the required information has been extracted using questionnaires and interviews with activists ‎and experts of this field in Sistan and Baluchestan province. A total of 40 questionnaires were ‎collected in 2022 and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results show that ‎the limited holding of national or international exhibitions of handicrafts, investors' ‎unwillingness to invest in handicrafts due to restrictive mechanisms and inadequate public ‎propaganda to recognize the effects of handicrafts (especially tourists) are the most important ‎barriers to the development of handicraft market are. The lack of design and use of integrated ‎and scientific marketing systems for selling products by manufacturing companies, and the ‎inability to sell handmade products directly by manufacturers, are also serious barriers to the ‎lack of development of the province's handicraft market. However, the mismatch of provincial ‎handicraft production with consumer tastes, diversity and product attractiveness is not a serious ‎obstacle to the development of crafts markets. ‎

Abstract This study was conducted to investigate the ability of carbon sequestration in barley and to determine the global warming potential of this product in the cropping year 2020-2021 in rural areas Shirvan city. For this purpose, systematic random sampling was performed in 30 farms from 0-30 cm soil depth and consumption inputs were obtained through face-to-face questionnaire. The results showed that the soil carbon sequestration capacity in barley farms was equal to 1.74 ton/ha^-1. Comparison of conversion coefficient of plant organs showed that spike had a higher conversion coefficient of 22.4% than root. The carbon sequestration capacity of spike, stem and barley root was determined as 1297.20, 620.62 and 114.00 kg.ha^-1, respectively. Among the inputs, diesel fuel with an average of 552.70 kg.ha^-1 had the highest role and electricity with an average of 6.85 kg.ha^-1 had the least role in greenhouse gas emissions. Among greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide with 1135.79 kg.ha^-1 had the highest share. The total global warming potential of one hectare of barley in Shirvan city was 1147.31 kg equivalent of carbon dioxide. The amount of carbon footprint obtained for the total plant biomass was equal to 0.28 kg equivalent to carbon dioxide per kg of barley biomass. In general, the obtained results showed that the barley product has an acceptable carbon sequestration capacity and is a suitable crop to be included in the model program of rural areas. Based on the results of this research, part of the gross production of rural areas of Shirvan city will be achieved through the cultivation of barley in marginal lands with low production capacity, which will play an important role in the development of these areas.

Abstract The development of the use of natural and biological inputs to achieve sustainable rice cultivation seems to be essential, and rice farmers must be prepared to accept sustainable and organic rice. Creating a positive attitude among rice growers about the biological inputs of rice is of paramount importance. The purpose of this study was structural equation modeling of biological inputs acceptance by sari rice farmers. All rice farmers in Sari County (24502 individuals) were selected as the statistical population of the study, and 336 of them were selected as the study sample based on Cochran's formula and with random sampling method. Data collection was performed using a researcher-made questionnaire. Also, based on the average variance extracted (0.692 >AVE< 0.91) and composite reliability (0.969 >CR < 0.993), the questionnaire had a convergent validity and appropriate reliability. SPSS16 and Smart PLS2 software were used to analyze the data. The results showed that educational characteristics (with path coefficient 0.453), information characteristics (with path coefficient 0.355), social characteristics (with path coefficient 0.117), and attitude towards biological inputs (with path coefficient 0.084) had a significant positive effect on acceptance of biological inputs (p < 0.01) and 99 percent of the variance of biological input acceptance was determined by these variables. It is suggested that due to the unfavorable attitude of rice farmers towards biological inputs, rice farmers should be informed about the role of biological inputs in crop, water, soil and human health. It is better to use knowledgeable rice farmers in this regard to train other rice farmers.

Abstract In order to investigation of relationships between saffron yield and summer irrigation a survey was conducted in fields of rural areas of Torbat Heydarieh and Farooj, Iran. The survey was done by questionnaires as face to face interview with farmers and expertise of this subject in 2019. Based on this method, 90 saffron fields (area about 0.5- 7 ha) with 1-4 years ages were studied. In addition effect of first irrigation treatments consisted irrigation on august, on mid-September and on early October on saffron yield based on completely randomized design was performed. Results indicated that in 2 years old fields did not significantly affected by first irrigation time, but the time of first irrigation had significant effect on saffron yield especially in 1, 3 and 4 years-old farms. Irrigation on early October in one year-old farms showed the highest stigma yield, but in two years- old farms this condition occurred on mid-September at Torbat Heydarieh and Farooj. In addition there was a negative relationship between fungi contamination with yield (-4.779) in three years- old and regression coefficient was -7.731 in four years-old farms. Furthermore there was about 64 % of changes in corm contamination to fungi related to number of irrigation. Therefore early irrigation of farms in summer such as August especially in three and four years-old because of enhancement of contamination to fungi diseases do not recommend.

Abstract The main purpose of this research was to study of rapeseed production challenges, as well as providing strategies for the development of this crop in Alborz Province. This descriptive-correctional study was conducted in two stages. In the first stage of this research, due to lack of comprehensive empirical background on the challenges of development of rapeseed cultivation in Alborz Province, the most important challenges and strategies for the development of rapeseed cultivation were collected from the perspective of experienced experts in the Organization and Management of Jihad-e-Agriculture, elite farmers and researchers through interviews. The statistical population of this part of the study was experienced experts, elite farmers and researchers in the field of research. Respondents were selected using non-probability snowball sampling. As a result of implementation of this stage and after the validity test, 46 and 27 variables were extracted as the most important challenges and strategies for the development of rapeseed cultivation in Alborz Province, respectively. In the second stage, in order to determine the importance of each identified variable from farmers' viewpoint, a questionnaire was designed in a Likert scale format and after the implementation of the pre-test and verification of its validity and reliability was given to the respondents. The statistical population of this part of the study included all farmers who were active in rapeseed cultivation during the last three years in the study area (N=142). Based on the results of factor analysis, the identified challenges were categorized into five factors, including: "poor supporting conditions; lack of resources, inputs and infrastructures; weak performance of educational-extension institutions; inadequate farm management; and plant physiological characteristics". The identified strategies were also categorized into three factors, including: "supply of inputs and infrastructures; financial support; and provision of research, extension and educational services". Improving the performance and efficiency of the Agricultural Insurance Fund, proper training of rapeseed field management by experts, and supplying and injecting special machinery for the agricultural sector are some of the suggestions that the results of this study offers to develop rapeseed cultivation in Alborz province.

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate and analyze the effects of targeted subsidies in the agricultural sector of Choram County located in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad provinces. The statistical population of the study was 2528 farmers in the central part of Choram County. The approach in this study was integrated (qualitative-quantitative). In the qualitative section, data were first collected through in-depth interviews with informed farmers. Data analysis technique in this section, content analysis and the studied sample were selected using purposive sampling until reaching theoretical saturation of 39 people. In the quantitative part of the research, in order to obtain a more comprehensive view of the subsidy targeting plan in the agricultural sector and to understand its effects, secondary data were collected before and after the subsidy targeting. Data analysis in this section was performed with SPSS software. The results of content analysis in the form of three stages of open, axial and selective coding showed that five categories of factors (increase in production costs of agricultural products, increase in economic costs of farmers, decrease in quality of life of farmers, Optimization in the consumption of energy carriers and reduction of environmental pollution) has been of the most important effects of targeted subsidies. The results comparison mean level under cultivation and the yield of agricultural products before and after the targeting of subsidies also showed that level under the cultivation of tomato and green cucumber after targeting subsidies was significantly higher than before and the level under cultivation of rice and wheat crops has decreased, also tomato, rain fed barley and watermelon yielded significantly more than before, while in other products there was no significant statistical difference between the level under the cultivation and yield. Therefore, according to the results of the research, the plan to target agricultural subsidies has not had the desired effect on the agricultural sector. Therefore, it is suggested that the relevant authorities, such as the Ministry of Jihad for Agriculture and the organizations sponsoring pricing, put on the agenda the mechanisms needed to reduce the prices of production inputs and energy carriers.

Abstract Identification of stakeholders and local communities to determine their awareness about wetlands is essential according to the objectives of the Communication, Education, Participation and Public Awareness (CEPA) program. To plan and take the necessary measures for the conservation and wisely use of wetlands need to participation of local communities and their awareness raising. The statistical population of this study was 8 villages of rural municipality households of Amirkelaye Wetland, which were selected by available sampling method. The 108 questionnaires were distributed using a sample size based on the number of households in each village in summer 2020. The research methodology is conducted in a descriptive and analytical manner, so that at the descriptive stage, the present situation is identified and in the process of work, using statistical analysis. Variables were source of taking information about the wetlands, knowledge about wetland functions and treated factors and the measures to protect the wetland. The results showed that the above variables did not show significant differences between villages (p < 0.05). But there was a significant difference between the dependent variable of public awareness and the above independent variables.

Abstract Due to various limitations in order to provide face-to-face training to farmers, it is more important to use methods that can make access to new sciences possible with minimal time and cost. One of these methods is the use of information and communication technology, which is significantly expanding in the agricultural sector. Therefore, it is necessary to know the factors affecting the use of these technologies. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors affecting the use of these technologies among farmers in northern Khuzestan in 1399. A sample of 150 people was selected using cluster sampling method and SPSS software and logistic regression were used to analyze the data. The results showed that the age variable has a significant decreasing effect on the use of training based on information and communication technologies and for each year of decreasing age, these trainings increase by 0/03 units. For one hour of increase in extension training, 0/04 units and for each increase of farmer income, use of training increased by 0/14 units. The effect of land size and membership in cooperatives on the use of ICT-based training was insignificant. The predictive sensitivity of the regression model was 0.75.8 and its detectability was 0.81.8 respectively. In general in 0.79.3 cases, the estimated model correctly predicted the categories. Due to the greater impact of farmer income on the use of ICT-based training, it is suggested that the cost of the Internet for web-based agricultural training platforms be reduced as much as possible.

Abstract At present, although the efficiency and sustainability of many environmental protection technologies have been widely proven in agricultural research centers, but many farmers still do not have enough information and knowledge about these technologies, and the reason for this is that such technologies require the replacement of local management skills, knowledge and manpower with foreign inputs. The purpose of this study was to analyzing of the effect of agricultural extension and education system in the form of educational-extension methods on farmers’ environmental behavior. The present study is a descriptive and causal-relational research that was conducted by survey method. The statistical population of this study was farmers in Sis area located in Shabestar district of East Azarbaijan province (N = 4487). The Morgan table was used to determine the sample size. The sample size was 350, which increased to 360 farmers to reduce the error and also to cover the unanswered questionnaires and were studied using random sampling method. The data collection instrument was a questionnaire which Its validity was confirmed using the opinion of professors of agricultural extension and education at the university of Tehran and the reliability of the variables was confirmed using a pretest and Cronbach's alpha coefficient. The structural equation modeling technique was applyed to analyze the data. Based on the obtained information, there was sufficient evidence for the confirmation significant effect of "group methods" and "environmental attitude" on "environmental Behavior". The significant effect of "individual extension" and "environmental knowledge" on "environmental attitude" was also confirmed. Based on the results, the combination of individual, group and mass methods in extension programs can be done to increase the effectiveness of educational-extensional methods, to enable the synergy of educational resources and educational methods in one harmonious and cohesive platform.

Abstract Production of agricultural products as an effective part in the development of the country in various dimensions is of great importance; However, considering the waste of production of these products in the country, which according to statistics is more than 30% of total production, it seems necessary to change production methods by aligning farmers and villagers to use new production technologies by them through communication solutions. Participate in urgent action. The statistical population of this study was the promoters working in Khorasan Razavi agricultural jihad and extension assistants related to the agricultural jihad of the province. Based on non-probability sampling, the sample population was selected as described. The "qualitative" and "quantitative" methods used in this research are as follows: At first, in the "qualitative" method, through "in-depth interviews", 15 agricultural workers in the villages of Mashhad were interviewed and the answers provided by the software Maxqda was analyzed and based on these results, the measurement tool was designed with 40 items and 220 agricultural promoters across the province were asked to respond and then the results were analyzed using SPSS software. The purpose of this study is to obtain a model to explain the impact of participatory communication on the use of new production technologies among farmers. All 8 hypotheses in this study were tested and confirmed using variance test and one-way analysis of variance, and finally, using linear regression, the effect of variables was confirmed. It is suggested that agricultural promoters use the knowledge and tools of participatory communication to align farmers to use new production technologies.

Abstract For sustainable development plan, we need to consider the role of local community and participation of local people in decision making. In this study, possibility of using five local non-governmental organizations, village councils, Basij (one of the five forces of the Islamic revolutionary guard corps in Iran’s villages), agricultural production cooperative, mosque board of trustees and the organization of agricultural well management, as intermediate organizations for agricultural extension was investigated in Kerman province. The data used, were prepared from the managers of the surveyed organizations as well as 1099 farmers participating in the meetings of these organizations through two types of questionnaires of organization and farmer. Variance analysis and regression model was used for measuring the effects of socio economic factors on NGOs efficiency. The results showed that 74% of farmers, in addition to other resources, use the experience of other farmers. Participating in training classes, studying extensional and technical journals and referring directly to experts have a significant positive effect on pistachio crop yield. The results also showed that more than 90% of the surveyed farmers considered the use of non-governmental organizations to promote and transfer the findings of agricultural research useful. In terms of farmers' acceptance of the meetings of the organizations and the number of people present in these meetings, village council and the organization of agricultural well management have a higher advantage. But, none of these five NGOs, solely, can be considered as an intermediate organization for agricultural extension. So, a formal or informal combination of these NGOs should be constructed.

Abstract Mazandaran province is one of the important poles of Tobacco production in the country. Evaluation of Tobacco cultivation status as a specialized commodity production system in the province over a 28-year period based on available evidence indicates a decline in cultivation of this crop. The aim of this study was to identify and analyze factors affecting farmers' tendency to continue tobacco cultivation in Mazandaran province. Data collection tool was a questionnaire, its validity was confirmed by the opinion of a group of experts and its reliability was based on Cronbach's alpha coefficient for different sections of the questionnaire, including environmental, extensional, technical, social and support factors above 0.75. The statistical population of this study is composed of tobacco farmers in Mazandaran province that Using Cochran sampling method, 147 samples were selected according to stratified sampling. According to descriptive analysis, 47.5% of farmers were positive about tobacco cultivation and the comparison of the mean tendency to continue cultivation in relation to age, literacy level, background tobacco farmers and income in the two communities (advocates and disagreeing continue to cultivate tobacco) did not show a significant difference. Also, according to the results of logistic regression analysis of drought and dry growing conditions, competing products such as rice and wheat, labor family and Transparency of purchase rates, respectively, with coefficient impact 0.663, 1.079, 0.589 and 0.628 has predicted a total of 33% of farmers' willingness and unwillingness to continue growing tobacco. Accordingly, in order to increase the tendency of farmers to continue cultivating, it is recommended to adopt appropriate pricing policies and provide support services such as providing loans and credits, tobacco insurance and their familiarity with appropriate agricultural methods and land preparation according to the conditions of the region.

Abstract Recently, the development of canola (Brassica napus L.) cultivation has attracted the attention of agricultural managers due to its favorable characteristics and the need for oil self-sufficiency. The present study was conducted to evaluate and analyze canola cultivation and yield in Torbat Heydariyeh Kadkan district. For this purpose, data on harvest levels, number of users and canola yields were examined during four years. Harvest levels in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 were 20.3, 28.3, 26 and 22.15 hectares, respectively. Also, the weighted average yield of canola farms in Kadkan district during the mentioned years was 2.5, 3.4, 3.8 and 4 tons per hectare, respectively. The correlation of harvest data and yield of 28 rapeseed farms in the Torbat Heydariyeh Kadkan villages was adjusted with two linear and 3-parametric sigmoid models. The 3-parameter sigmoid model had a higher accuracy than the linear model due to the higher correlation coefficient (R= 0.65**) and the mean square error (RMSE = 0.85) Based on the sigmoid model, yield increased with increasing rapeseed cultivation levels and then stabilized. There was a significant relationship between the level and yield of canola in the four-year period (R = 0.6**), so that as the level of cultivation increased, the yield also increased. The production of 15 canola codecs in Kadkan during 33 years was 335 tons. To develop canola cultivation among farmers in Kadkan, programs such as increasing the guaranteed purchase price, timely supply of seeds, increasing incentive policies, developing efficient canola machines such as grain harvesters, equipping combine harvesters with canola harvesting heads, development of type irrigation and other new methods of irrigation, development of canola cultivation, development of joint ship projects, creation of shopping centers and collection of rapeseed from farmers, research to identify cold-tolerant cultivars to reduce cold sensitivity and development of the program Promotional training, especially when planting, watering and harvesting time of time is recommended. It is also advisable for agricultural managers and promoters of production areas to reduce costs and achieve greater economic efficiency and performance, encouraging major farmers to develop rapeseed cultivation.

Abstract Proper water management in orchards will make optimal use of water, soil, fertilizer resources and production of large amounts of high quality products. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to analyze adoption of the decision to apply proper irrigation in grape orchards by grape growers in the Khorramdarreh Township in order to produce better high quality products through efficient use of water while saving it. This study was done using a descriptive-analytical survey. Data were collected through structured interviews with grape growers by  using questionnaire tools. A sample containing 260 people of 3942 grape growers in the Khor’ramdar’reh Township were selected by the multi-level sampling method who were interviewed. The results of the comparison of knowledge, intent, and implementation of applying proper irrigation method the three groups showed that this difference exists between both group 1 (non-members in the plan) and  groups 2 (the cover of Toba plan 2001-2008) and 3 (grape growers under the cover of garden development plans 2008-2011) and between groups 2 and 3. Generally, the average score of knowledge, intent, and implementation of grape growers in group 3 were higher than that of groups 1 and 2, and the average score of knowledge for group 2 was higher than that of group 1. As a result of knowledge, intent, implementation in adoption of a proper irrigation method is higher among group 3. Therefore, reforming and Improving Grape Orchard Plan has increased the adoption of a proper irrigation method by grape growers in the Khor’ramdar’reh Township.

Abstract Drought is one of the most serious natural disasters in terms of extent and magnitude of the economic damage it entails and the irreparable damages it causes to the agricultural sector and the water resources of the country. This research study was conducted to investigate water management solutions by small scale farmers in drought conditions in the Isfahan province. This study is based on the nature of quantitative research, it is of the non-exponential type in terms of control of variables, and it is done by the descriptive-correlation method in terms of method and it is in the form of applied research. The statistical population consists of all small-scale farmers in the Isfahan province and the study was done in drought conditions. According to the statistics center of Iran, the total number of small scale farmers in the Isfahan province is about 166030 people. The sample size in this group was selected to be 394 people using the Morgan’s table. The sample size in this group was determined using Morgan table and a sample of 394 persons were chosen by the proportional allocation method. The main instrument for collecting data is a questionnaire whose face validity was confirmed by professors and its reliability was confirmed by the Cronbach's alpha coefficient (0.95). The results show that small-scale farmers use various methods for water management in dealing with droughts that were identified through factor analysis in three categories of water management, farm-management, technical management, information management and social capital management.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate components affecting farmers' participation in irrigation management (case of Khoy County). This study was causal-relationship and a survey was conducted. The study population were all farmers in the Khoy County in the crop year 2015-16 (N=19088) and a number of 379 number of people were chosen using the Krejcie and Morgan table (1970) and stratified sampling with proportional allocation as research samples. The data collection tool was a questionnaire whose content validity was confirmed by professors and experts and its reliability was determined by calculating Cronbach's alpha coefficient between 0.72 and 0.85. The obtained data were analyzed using the SPSSv19 software. According to the results, the participation of farmers in irrigation management was evaluated at a good level. The results showed that the independent variables including farmers' attitude toward their participation in irrigation management, awareness of the consequences of participation in irrigation management, suitability of the technical factors in irrigation network, use of farmers from information sources, social norms toward participation in water management, farmers' attitude toward agricultural extension personnel, farmers' sociability and attitude toward water officials and experts with dependent variable of participation in irrigation management had had positive relationship and significant at 1 percent level. The results of stepwise regression analysis showed that the mentioned variables explained 75 percent of the variance of the participation in irrigation management.

Abstract The agriculture sector though is one of the most important economic sectors in the country, but is faced with major limitations. The purpose of this research is to study the barriers of agricultural development from farmers perspectives in the Qaratureh district. The statistical population of the study consisted of 2800 farmers from 27 villages of the Qaratureh district. The statistical population mentioned included, a number 338 farmers who were selected by using stratified random sampling method and based on Krejcie and Morgan tables. Instrument for compilation of data was a questionnaire. To ensure the validity of the questionnaire expert panels were used and for the reliability Cronbach's alpha was used and its amount was obtained to be 0.84. Based on the results obtained in communication with barriers of agricultural development in the studied case region, 30 variables, with using factor analysis technique were summarized into five factors infrastructural, economic-managerial, natural, cultural and educational. The results showed that based on farmers perspectives, the infrastructural factor was the first barrier of region agricultural development. This factor explain about 24/40% of the total variance of the research variables. One of the major problems in the Qaratureh District is the lack of water. Part of this problem is lack of infrastructure and it is related in part to lack of financial resources and lack of farm capital. Therefore, it is suggested that the government supports farmers in order to establish agricultural development infrastructure such as Land Consolidation, water canalization, Sprinkler irrigation systems development, leveling and drainage lands and Granting of bank facilities.