IRANIAN AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION AND EDUCATION JOURNAL
Year:2017 | Volume:13 | Issue:2 |Papers Count:20

The use of Multiple Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) techniques is increasing in the framework of ecological economics paradigm as well as providing new analytical tools for the practical resolution of complex problems which has become a target in this regard. In current research, a multi criteria and holistic comparison of three conventional farming systems and agro enterprises was carried out by implementing Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) due to the knowledge of experts. This two-phase research was done in order to comparative analysis of the sustainability of entrepreneurial agro-enterprises and conventional farming systems. By a threeround Delphi study, the first phase was conducted in order to identify criteria of sustainability capacities assessment of different agricultural systems. So, four alternatives and four criteria (including 27 sub criteria) were extracted. In the second phase, extracted alternatives and criteria were prioritized using AHP. Using theoretical purposeful sampling and according to the research purpose, criteria for selection of participants as key experts were identified, as: (1) Practical experience in the agricultural production and business, (2) Management and policy making experience in agricultural production and business and (3) Scientific knowledge in the field of agricultural production and business management. A total of 22 experts participated in the Delphi survey. The criteria were (1) Ecological adaptive capacity; (2) Economic value-adding capacity; (3) Adaptive management capacity; and (4) Social integration. Environmental concerns had higher priority than economic, social and managerial issues due to the criteria rankings. Based on alternatives and criteria, a three-level decision making tree was outlined. Required data was collected through pair wise comparison and 20 questionnaires were filled by a group of experts and key informants. Data analysis was done using Expert Choice 2000. According to the results, the alternatives were ranked as: (1) Agro-enterprises; (2) Agricultural cooperatives (collective farming systems); (3) Family farming systems; (4) Agribusiness (commercial farming system), respectively. Overall, findings revealed that the sustainability capacities of agro enterprises were greater than the other three conventional farming systems in the Golestan province.

The quality of scientific publication has an important role in facilitating the exchange of knowledge. Therefore, there is a special focus on pathology of publishing process and its quality preservation. The purpose of this study was to investigate factors affecting the publcation quality of scientific papers in the agricultural sciences in Iran. The research method was descriptive-correlational, which was carried out using survey technique. The statistical population consisted of faculty members and Ph. D. students of agriculture in the public universities of Iran (N=6773) that 363 persons of them were selected using Krejcei and Morgan sample size table and multi-stage sampling method (three stages). The research instrument was a questionnaire which its face and content validity were confirmed by a panel of experts of agricultural extension and education, and a number of chief-editors of research-scientific journals in the agricultural field. The reliability of the scales of the questionnaire was approved with Cronbach's alpha coefficient. The correlation test results showed that the variables of background of publication (including the fields of knowledge, ethics and attitude), behavior of publication (including the behaviors of planning, procurement and preparation, modification and revision and the preparation of final text), the policy structure of publication (including the policy structures of arbitration process and printing paper) have significant correlation with the scientific publication quality. In this regard, results of regression analysis showed that the mentioned variables explained about 60 percent of the variability of publication quality of scientific papers in the agricultural sciences. Finally, based on the findings, some executive recommendations have been provided.

The research results especially the agricultural applied ones should be transferred to the main users in order to develop and improve of agricultural products. However, due to any reasons, all of these findings have not been received by the users. So, the research would be more effective in agricultural development if more research results could transfer and apply by the farmers in proportional to the numbers of accomplished research projects. This research which is done by the agricultural research, education and extension organization aiming to study the roles of motivators in increasing the transfer rate of researches results. The study was applied, quasi-experimental and causal-correlation in terms of purpose, control of variables and the research model, respectively. Statistical population including 2973 researchers, 1121 agricultural extension experts as well as 1945 subject thematic experts (N=6039) in which a sample of 361 individuals were selected by Cochran`s formula using stratified random sampling method. The required data was collected by a questionnaire. Different statistical analysis including descriptive and inferential (multiple regression and Kruskal-Wallis test) were used in order to data analysis using SPSS19. Findings revealed that all of the three groups of the study agreed on the factors of the effective relationship between agricultural extension and research, encouragement of farmers to research results use and trust building among farmers towards research findings use as the main three motivators. Based on the regression results, the variables which were entered into the regression model could explain the variance of dependent variable (transfer rate of research findings) as 46. 9, 50. 5 and 50. 3 percent due to the opinions of researchers, agricultural extension experts and thematic experts, respectively.

The sustainable livelihood was introduced in the 1980 as a new approach of alleviating the rural poverty in rural development debate. Achieving sustainable rural livelihoods, regardless of livelihood assets in rural areas are not possible. Accordingly, this study aimed to assess sustainable livelihood capitals in rural households of the Central District of Dena County. This study was an applied research due to the aim of the study and nonexperimental survey in terms of the method of collecting data. The statistical population consisted of 2500 rural households in the study area. The sample size was determined 300 ones based on the Krejcie and Morgan Table and were selected through cluster random sampling. The data was collected by a structured researcher-made questionnaire which its validity was confirmed by a group of rural development experts in Yasouj university and its reliability was also confirmed by calculating Cronbach's alpha. The results showed that among the five livelihood capitals, three capitals including social capital, human capital and physical capital were at average level in terms of sustainability and two capitals including financial capital and natural capital were at potential in sustainability (poor) level.

Increasing the efficiency and productivity of agricultural water using pressurized irrigation systems at the farm level has been one of the main strategies of the past three decades of agricultural water resources management plans. However, the question of efficiency and optimum use of this irrigation system remains to be no answered. The aim of this research was to study the level of optimal water-use and its determinants among tomato producers who have adopted drip-tape irrigation system in Kazeroon County, Iran. A survey research method was used with a systematic random sample which included 250 tomato producers from Markazi and Jereh-Baladeh Divisions of Kazeroon County. The findings revealed that attitudes toward the importance of optimal irrigation has a strong positive correlation with optimum water-use. Regression results indicated that attitude toward the importance of optimal irrigation, agricultural water quality (EC), soil quality, climate type, the amount of chemical fertilizers and pesticides used and agricultural land slope can significantly predict the level of farmers’ optimal drip-tape irrigation use. These variables explain 76 percent variance of the optimal water use. The results also showed that the optimal water-use has a significant relationship with agricultural water productivity, cost of production, and the level of farm weeds and diseases. Findings indicated that human dimension has a decisive role in achieving the optimization of drip-tape irrigation system, therefore, the agricultural extension plans to optimize the use of pressurized irrigation systems should focus on improving attitudes, behavior and skills of farmers.

Pro-environmental modeling of rural people based on the theory of Value-Belief-Norm was the main objective of this survey study. The statistical population of the research consisted all of the rural household heads of Sojasroud district of Khodabandeh County in Zanjan Province (N= 2354) of which a sample size of 259 individuals was selected by a proportional stratified sampling method. Data was collected using standard questionnaires. Content validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by a panel of experts and the construct validity and reliability were confirmed through validity and reliability were confirmed through examining of model fit in three levels of measurement model, structural model and total model. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) multivariate technique (Partial Least Squares) was used to analyze data. So Smart PLS2. 0 software was applied. The results indicated that components of values, ecological ideology, awareness of consequences, responsibility and personal norms had positive and significant effects on dependent variable of villagers’ proenvironmental behavior explaining about 68. 6 percent of its variances.

Global climate is changing and smallholder farmers are more vulnerable than others in terms of their inability to apply adaptation strategies. So, identifying the adaptation strategies of climate change for smallholder farmers of Hamedan province as well as evaluating the gap between importance and implementation of those strategies were the main purposes of the study. This study had two target population including agricultural experts and professionals (to evaluate the importance level) and smallholder farmers (to evaluate the implementation level). The samples of 121 experts and 280 farmers were selected due to the Cochran formula. The required data was collected by a structured questionnaire which its validity and reliability were confirmed through a panel of experts and a pilot study, respectively. The Cronbach`s alpha coefficient equaled 0. 942 for importance and equaled 0. 966 for implementation. The results showed that the strategies such as "cultivation pattern change towards water-efficient plants", "using modern irrigation systems (under pressure irrigation, tape irrigation and etc. )" and "using drought resistant varieties" were the most important adaptation strategies due to the experts` opinion. Based on the results of factor analysis, the strategies were divided into 6 main categories. The findings also showed that there was a significant difference between the importance and implementation in all of the strategy groups. At last, some recommendations were presented in order to adaptation increase and vulnerability reduction.

This study was conducted to analysis of agricultural extension and education organizational network in order to establish pluralistic extension system in Kerman province. Using direct observation and unstructured interviews with experts and key informants (n: 163) specialized in agricultural extension and education, 51 active governmental, private, non-profit and profit organizations in extension and education sector of Kerman province were recognized. Social Network Analysis was accomplished to identify connections and interactions between these organizations in four types of information sharing, cooperation, coordination and partnership networks. The results showed that knowledge sharing and cooperation networks had good condition between different organizations. But, there was an unsuitable situation in terms of coordination and partnership of organizational networks which led to the weak social cohesion. Findings revealed that Jihad Agricultural Organization, Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Organization of Rural Cooperative, Department of Natural Resources and Watershed Management, Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture, University Education Centers, Government House and Agricultural and Natural Resources Engineers of Basij Organization, were the most strong and effective organizations. On the other hand, NGO’ s which have the most connections and interactions with the target population of the province were located in lower level due to the authority, dominance and the ability of control of the networks. So, they were marginalized in current pluralistic system of agricultural extension and education.

Iran is frequently exposure to dust emerging in terms of locating in dry and semi-dry areas of the world. Dust phenomenon is a form of atmospheric hazards which occurred with undesirable impacts and as an environmental shock threaten the livelihood security of the human. Dust storms usually have negative effects on the health, economy and environment as well as huge damages on different productive sectors especially agriculture. Accordingly, this study aimed to investigate the livelihood security of farmers under dust in Susa County. The study was conducted in two stages; the first stage involved mapping dust risks based on its severity and incidence. The required data of this stage was collected through a focus group discussion meeting with informant farmers who purposefully selected from Susa County. Findings of the first stage were used to conduct a survey at the second stage. The population of interest in this stage consisted of farmers living in Susa county (N: 5924) using cluster random sampling method and a sample of 254 farmers was selected based on Krejcie & Morgan Table. The instrument was a questionnaire. The risk mapping results showed that the most sever damages of dust were related to economic, social and environmental dimensions, respectively since the highest incidence of dust effects were associated to environmental, social and economic sectors. Similar and confirmatory results were observed through the survey part. In addition, farmers’ livelihood security was not favorable. Social security of each individual was higher than his economic and environmental security. Based on the results of cluster analysis, the farmers could classified into three groups (clusters) due to the incidence and severity of the dust and there was significant difference between each group in terms of environmental, social and economic dimensions of security.

Many scholars and experts have a special emphasis on an appropriate understanding of information resources as well as the suitable use of them which means having a desirable information seeking behavior due to the importance of the knowledge and information as the main effective factors of agricultural development. Investigating the information seeking behavior of the wheat farmers in order to determine its affecting factors was the main purpose of the study. All of the wheat farmers of central district of Zanjan township (N=5705) were the statistical population of the study in which 250 individuals were selected as a sample through multistage sampling method. Data were collected through a questionnaire. The content validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by a panel of experts. The reliability was also confirmed through a pretest which the Cronbach`s alpha of the variables were calculated in an acceptable level (0. 784 to 0. 888). The results showed that about 50 and 46 percent of the wheat farmers used the communication and information resources and channels at moderate and low levels, respectively; whereas, only 4 percent of them used the resources and channels at high level. Furthermore, the results revealed that among the interpersonal information sources, family members and local authorities; multimedia information sources, television and radio programs; electronic media, educational films and CDs; and printed information sources, scientific books and newsletters and research reports of organizations had the highest ranks in terms of application, respectively. The results of a regression analysis indicated that 65. 7 percent of the variance of dependent, use of communication and information resources and channels, were explained by the six variables including access to the resources and channels, communication skills, information needs, trust to resources and channels, information seeking attitude and the wheat yield.

The impacts of how to use microcredits on social empowering or disempowering of rural women was the purpose of this study. The statistical population consisted of 200 women in Nahavand Township who have received microcredits during 2010-2014. Sample size was determined according to Krejcie and Morgan Table and 127 individuals were selected based on stratified sampling with proportional assignment. Questionnaire's reliability and validity were confirmed through computing Cronbach's alpha coefficient (more than 0. 7) and content validity, respectively. Data was analyzed by SPSS20 software. The results showed that the use of credit in the fields of 1) Livestock, poultry, beekeeping, turkey, fisheries, and 2) Planting of saffron, mushroom and medicinal plants as well as horticulture had a direct and significant effect on the social empowerment of rural women. But, the credit use in the fields of: 1) Carpet weaving, sewing and artistic activities; 2) Treatment and health; 3) Self-education and children training; 4) Shop keeping had no relationship with the social empowerment of rural women. According to the results, it is suggested that microcredits by the banks and other financial institutes have assigned to those activities which has significant relationship with rural women empowerment.

Agricultural sector is facing water resource deficit with conflicts intensifying over recent years. Management of irrigation water, as a common-pool resource, in Khorrambid county is primarily concerned with the socio-technical challenges which are rarely considered. This study was aimed at investigating irrigation water challenges of wheat growers. The population for this descriptive survey study was irrigated wheat growers of Khorrambid county. Data were collected by interviewing from 110 farmers, by means of structured questionnaire. The instrument’ s validity was confirmed by panel of experts and the reliability of scales used were measured through a pilot study conducted out of study area. Alpha Cronbach’ s coefficients were indicating an acceptable internal consistency. SPSS22 was used for data analysis. Results revealed that, managerial challenges of irrigation water were categorized to farm level, source level and canal level issues which were sorted by the value of their importance, respectively. Clustering wheat growers to two competent and incompetent farm managers shed light on the reality that the two groups were significantly different regarding their farm level challenges, income level, area under cultivation, wheat yield, experience, age and education status. To mitigate irrigation managerial challenges at farm level, land consolidation should be taken into account.

Soil is an important resource in agriculture, but inappropriate management and utilization has contributed toward degradation of this vulnerable resource. Statistical reports indicated 94 percent of the lands are being dagradation in Iran. Iran is in the second rank in the world in terms of soil erosion. In this regard preventing the soil degradation, requaires improvement in the farmers’ soil conservation behavior. The purpose of this study was to investigate cultural factors affecting farmers’ soil conservation behavior in West Azerbaijan province. This research used survey method to collect data. Statistical population included farmers of West Azerbaijan (N=221940). Using Krejcie and Morgan’ s Table, 383 person were selected as sample. Stratified random sampling method was used to select farmers. The data collection tool was a questionnaire, which, its validity was determined by a panel of experts. Also, to assess the reliability of the questionnaire’ s scales, Cronbach's alpha coefficient was calcualetd. The results of correlation analysis showed that age, education, knowledge, attitudes, values, religious beliefs, norms and cultural biases have a significant relationship with the dependent variable (soil conservation behavior). Moreover, the results of path analysis showed that three variables of knowledge, attitudes and cultural biases (Egalitarian and Hierarchist) have more significant effect on the soil conservation behavior. Knowledge of the soil conservation has the most direct effect on the soil conservation behavior. Finally, based on the research results, some practical recommendation is presented.

The wetlands are one of the valuable ecosystems with diverse functions which could affect the livelihood of local people. The present study aiming to evaluate the effects of Zarivar wetland in Marivan township on households’ livelihood assets living around the wetland. As a descriptive-analytical research using both documentary and survey methods, necessary data were gathered by a structured questionnaire based on the sustainable livelihood framework of the Department for International Development. The study area was Marivan township and studied population consisted of 1539 household heads of the seven villages around the wetland in which 230 individuals were selected as a sample using Cochran`s formula. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS software. Based on the findings, there was a positive and significant relationship between the five dimensions of livelihood assets and the households` livelihood level. According to the results of regression analysis, 65. 1 percent of dependent variable (households’ livelihood level) was explained by the four main assets including financial, natural, social and physical. This indicated the vital role of livelihood assets of the wetland on the rural livelihood level as well as the dependency of the rural areas on the functions and benefits of the wetland. Zarivar wetland is an economic and environmental opportunity in the region and could be turned into a strategy in order to withdrawal of the area from the economic and geographical isolation.

Discourses on the rescue of Lake Urmia from drought insist on transferring water from other areas which may cause the transition of crisis to those areas. Modifying of the pattern of water use in the related sectors with this ecosystem has been less considered. Nevertheless, optimal use of water in agriculture is an effective way to save water resources as well as returning the surplus water to redistribute into the Lake. Factors affecting the behavior of farmers with the emphasis on the environmental non-governmental organizations` (NGOs) role was the main objective of the study. The theoretical framework of the study was developed based on the Theory of Goad-Directed Behavior (TGB) adopted from Perugini and Conner. All of the farmers in Southern basin of Lake Urmia, Miandoab city (N: 23750) were the research population in which a sample of 368 farmers was selected based on Krejcie and Morgan`s Table using stratified random sampling method. The survey was accomplished by a questionnaire. The faculties of Agricultural Extension and Education evaluated the face validity of the questionnaire and the consistency of the items of the research indices was confirmed through Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) using AMOS, version 20. The descriptive and inferential statistics were analyzed by SPSS. According to the results of path analysis (PA), the perceived behavioral control and environmental NGOs’ performance had direct effect on water-saving behavior, and desire to collaborate in environmental NGOs and desire to revive the Urmia Lake had indirect effect on water-saving behavior by mediation of the intention to collaborate in environmental NGOs and the water-saving intention. At last, some recommendations were presented in order to improve the farmers` behavior regarding water use as well as their participation increase in environmental NGOs.