Iranian Journal of Agricultural Economics and Development Research
Year:2015 | Volume:46 | Issue:1|Papers Count:18

For social and cultural condition of country using weakest and returned water in different uses especially in agricultural consumption is not public and also is faced social opposition. In this study, it is tried to investigate several products in different levels of consumption according to consumer’s views who reside in Tehran by mean of willingness to use concept. Data are collected in 2012 in Tehran province. Finding show that by increasing the consumers’ trust to sewage filtering process, using the salvage word instead of sewage giving information and decreasing the hygienic anxiety, the willingness of using the agricultural products irrigated with filtered sewage will raise. Furthermore, the result shows that consumers will to pay for products including tomato, vegetable, bread and meet produced by using filtered sewage in turn 78.71, 76.97, 59.5, and 65.4 percent of the price of the same products gained by using the health water.

This study considers the price transmission mechanism between farm and retail levels of beef market in East Azerbaijan with weekly prices over 1377:1 to 1390:52 periods. To this end, using advantages of multivariate models, Hansen- Seo (2002)'s two- regime Threshold Vector Error Correction Model (TVECM) was estimated by the maximum likelihood approach for evaluate the price transmission mechanism. Results of ADF and PP unit root tests show that both farm and retail prices are integrated in order 1 and the results of Johansson co-integration test suggests that there is a long- run relationship between the two series of price. In the next step, the result of Sup-LM test indicates that there is non-linear co-integration relation between two variables. Finally, based on the results of estimated error correction coefficients in TVECM, the price transmission has asymmetry behavior and both of the retail and farm prices response to positive shocks more than negative, especially retailers increase prices more fast than the farmers when the other prices increase. By declining the price in one level of the market, farmers would be response more quick than the retailers.

Dispersion and separated of agricultural lands are considered as the serious barriers of agriculture development. The smallest and distributed of lands are obstacle in the efficient use of water, land, labor, mechanization and other factors in agriculture production. The main purpose of this article is analyse the influenced factors of the rejection of land integration. The statistical population of the study includes farmers in Fars province. According to Cochran’s formula, 250 farmers were selected as statistical sample by using multi-stage sampling method. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by some subject matter specialists. The reliability of instrument was calculated by using Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient (0.83). SPSS software was used to analyze data.

The present study aims to examine and analyze the extent of applying drought control measures by farmers of the country of Tarom Olia in Zanjan province. This was a descriptive correlational study conducted through survey method. The statistical population consisted of all farmers activating in Tarom Olya (N=12000) out of which 375 people were selected as samples. The proportionate stratified random sampling technique was used to reach the respondents. In order to measure the reliability of the main scale of the questionnaire, Cronbach's alpha procedure was used. The co-efficient was equal to 0.908 indicated an appropriate reliability of the tool of study. For the analysis of data, both the descriptive and inferential statistics methods were used in SPSS software. Data analyzing indicated that the respondents perceived the first three measures for drought control as follows: "the use of pipes for transferring water to farm," "The use of underground water resources" and "crop insurance against drought". In addition, there was significant positive correlation between the extent of applying drought control measures with workshop participation, taking part in training courses and extension visit. The study found that farmer’s abilities for drought control can be improved through educational programs.

Effectiveness and success of agricultural advisory services companies happen by continuing studies on the problems and then, eliminating them. The purpose of this research was to study problems of agricultural engineering and technical advisory services companies. The statistical population of this study included administrators of agricultural engineering and technical advisory services companies in Qazvin Province (N=90). Questionnaires were sent to all the participants picked up by means of census method. Questionnaire was used to collect the data. Reliability and validity of instrument was determined through opinions of faculty members and application of Cronbach’s Alpha (0.83). The findings showed that the most important problems of consultancy services companies were inadequate income, not institutionalized of the private sector in different sectors and levels, and lack of job security. Factor analysis showed that problems of consultancy services companies could be classified in four categories including financial and supportive services, organizational, educational and cultural covered 65.41 percent of variance.

Iran is one of the main pistachio growers in the world. Kerman province is the largest grower of pistachio and Sirjan is one of the most important pistachio production areas of Kerman province. It is important to the study of efficiency status of pistachio growers and improve their efficiency and optimum use of resources in the production. The purpose of this study was to determination technical efficiency, allocative efficiency, economic efficiency, managerial efficiency and scale efficiency of pistachio growers. 197 pistachio farmers were randomly selected as sampls. Necessary information getting from the questionnaires was filled out for the years 2011 and 2012. Efficiency of pistachio growers was calculated using Data Envelopment Analysis Method (DEA). The results show the 47% average technical efficiency, 69% average managerial efficiency, 67% average scale efficiency, 24% average allocative efficiency and 12 average economic efficiency. With education and agricultural extension in order to the optimal use of inputs, reducing the consumption of inputs can increase the efficiency.

Due to the special nature of agricultural activities and results of decisions influenced by the risk and uncertainty of these activities, consideration risk is essential in planning for agriculture sector. Interval-valued fuzzy programming approach is advantage of in this study for considering the conditions of uncertainty and additionally emphasizing on the limitation of water resources in defining the optimal crop pattern. The required data was gathered via 128 questionnaire and interviews with the farmers of Esfarayen county as simple random sampling in 2012-2013. The results show that Forage maize, Red beans and wheat in the most case scenarios are economical as well as optimal crops for cultivation, and the profit of the optimul model increases with reduction the uncertainty in water resources. Also, the level of water consumption in current cropping patterns is more than the amount of water consumption in the optimal cropping pattern. Therefore, presentation of supportive policies such as enhancement of insurance coverage for crops or the guaranteed price for crops, cultivation of the recommended optimal crops are suggested to develop. In addition, the increase in profitability of the farmers from too much usage of underground aquifers is stopped as well.

The dependence of Iran's economy to oil revenues and affecting the political and economic issues on income have caused the vulnerability of the economy. One way to meet these challenges is expanding such products, on the one hand improving the domestic economy and on the other hand increasing the exports. Among the agricultural products, medicinal plants have a special role in the domestic economy and a great impact on the non-oil exports. According to the importance of non-oil exports in order to get rid of the single-product economy, the objective of this study is investigation of affecting factors on Iran’s cumin export over the period of 1986/2009. In this regard, the analysis of data has performed using the cointegration approach and Vector Error Correction Model (VECM). The model estimation results showed that the real exchange rate, agricultural value added and export price have a significant impact on cumin export. Furthermore, the results showed that there is a positive relationship between cumin export and real exchange rate. Therefore, taking the appropriate exchange rate policies in order to adjust the real exchange rate can play a substantial role in increasing production capacity and achieving to economic growth in future.

The purpose of this study was to investigate relation between creativity and entrepreneurial intentions. Statistical population was consisted of last-year juniors of agriculture from two agricultural collages at the University of Tehran (Karaj’s Agricultural and Natural Resources Campus and College of Aburaihan) (N=420). 201 ones were selected as statistical sample. The main instrument was a questionnaire. Its validity confirmed by faculties of Entrepreneurship and Psychology and Educational Sciences in University of Tehran. Its reliability calculated by Cronbach's alpha coefficient (a>0.70). Data was analyse by using SPSS16 and Lisrel8.54 in both descriptive statistics and inferential statistics, respectively. Results showed that the student’s self-perception of creativity is the only one that affects entrepreneurial intentions of agricultural students from among three dimensions considered for creativity (individual creativity, university environment and family one that promote creativity). However, not university nor family environment could promote creativity and subsequent student’s entrepreneurial intentions.

Agriculture sector in Iran and some other countries of the world has a vital role in national development. Animal husbandry sub-sector needed meat of the society, creating related jobs and producing raw materials of some industries. Acquiring scientific and sound information of the current situation of regions are important and imitative step in improvement program planning. The purpose of this descriptive-evaluative study was to study of developmental levels of Townships of Zanjan province according to animal husbandry indicators. Secondary data (published and on the web data of related organization) and field data (by filling checklist from related organization) for 48 indicators (extracted from reviewing literature review and interviewing with rural extension and development and animal science experts) were used. Data units were omitted by dividing them to their average and then weighed by Mc Granahan method. The descriptive tables of indicators were added to geographical layers of townships in ArcGis 9. The results revealed that based on composite index (CI), Zanjan, Abhar, Khoramdareh, Ijroud, Tarom, Mahneshan and Khodabandeh townships were ranked respectively from first to seventh level. Also Townships of Zanjan province were ranked based on seven sub-indices, named as breeding and production management, livestock insurance management, related industries (processing, dairy industries, and slaughterhouses), private sector services, public sector services, infrastructural, human resources and extension-education. Based on the findings, some recommendations to improve animal husbandry sector in the province have been suggested.

The agriculture of Iran in addition to supplying domestic needs through agricultural exports in foreign trade contributed and exports products are more stable than other sectors. So, developing and expanding of exports can be a ground for Iran in global markets. Thus, the role of supportive policies in developing export to identify parameters affecting and suppling of agricultural exports of Iran during the period 1981/2012 by using Auto Regressive Distributed Lag Method (ARDL) is discussed. The results indicats the ratio of export prices, value-added agriculture and aggregate measurement of support (AMS), and variables influencing the pattern. It has a positive relationship with export supply in the short-term and long-term. Also, exchange rate of private sector consumption and a dummy variable war had no effects on export supply. Error correction coefficient also showed that in each course, 52% of the balance is lost and adjustments are made for the long term. So, according to the results, necessary to increase the amount of and implementation of supportive policies given a direct role in export promotion is necessary. Therefore, if properly applied these policies agricultural exports will increase.

Water User Associations (WUAs) are the main strategy in water resources management, and transferring of irrigation management to these associations is paying attention in different countries. The current study aimed to identify and analyze membership consequences in WUAs. The research was descriptive and survey method was used. The population of this study consisted of all farmers in irrigation and drainage networks of Lishter and Kheirabad in Gachsaran township in the Kohgiloyeh and Boyerahmad province (N=572). Using Krejcie and Morgan’s (1970) table and stratified random sampling technique, 219 farmers were selected as sample (n=230). Questionnaire was the main tool for data gathering. Content and face validity of the questionnaire were confirmed by a panel of expert consisting of faculty members of Tarbiat Modares and Yasuj University. The reliability of the questionnaire confirmed by calculating Crobnach’s alpha (0.86) in pre-test stage. Data were analyzed using SPSS 19 software. Based on the results of factor analysis increasing in farmer’s information and communication, reduction in farmer’s costs, increasing in production and improvement in water resources management, strengthening of social capital, and reducing government’s costs are positive consequences and conflict between farmers is negative consequences of membership in WUAs. Based on the research findings, some suggestions are presented for facilitating the development and establishing of WUAs.

The main objective of this descriptive- correlative research was to study factors influencing the agricultural M.Sc. students’ attitudes towards application of information and communication technology (ICT) in the research and educational activities. The statistical population of the study consisted of all M.Sc. students in the agricultural majors in the University of Zanjan (N=337). According to the Krejcie & Morgan Table, a sample size of 180 was selected using a stratified random sampling method (n=180). A questionnaire was used to collect the data. The correlation analysis showed that there was a significant and positive relationship between the dependent variable of “students' attitudes towards application of ICT in the research and educational activities” and independent variables of number of attending in the educational courses related to computer and internet (P<0.01), hours of internet use (P<0.05) and level of familiarity with ICT (P<0.05). The t-test revealed that there was a significant difference between attitudes of students having personal computer with student not having personal computer (P<0.05). Regression analysis indicated that 62.2% variances of the dependent variable were explained by the three variables including: level of familiarity with ICT, number of attending in the educational courses related to computer and internet and hours of internet use.

Nowadays, many governments have found that the main cause of water crises in agricultural sector related to neglecting farmers’ role in irrigation and drainage networks management. Water Users Association has been considered in order to transferring irrigation management to local beneficiaries. If farmers' opinion toward such transferring don't be investigated, it may lead to failure. Therefore, analysis of factors affecting on water users associations union members’ attitude toward development responsibilities in Doroodzan district (Ordibehesht Canal) was the main objective of this study. Quantitative method was used as research method by using survey technique and questionnaire. 245 of water users associations members were selected as sample group by using simple random sampling method. Findings revealed that through the four factor groups (individual-attitudinal, social, farming-situational, and economic), household size, attitude toward Regional Water Organization and local Water Utilization Company, attitudes toward fair relationships in the association, background of membership in the association, level of education, level of participation in social activities, level of participation in association activities, respect to ethical principles among members of the association, amount of canal water usage, kind of association, kind of crops and cultivation area of summertime crops were significant relationship with attitude toward development of water users associations responsibilities. The results of multiple regression analysis revealed that three variables (attitude toward fair relationships in the association, attitude toward Regional Water Organization and local Water Utilization Company, and amount of canal water usage) could predict about 36 percent changes of attitude toward development of water users association responsibilities. Some executive recommendations presented to augment members’ attitude toward development responsibilities of water users associations at the end of the article.

The purpose of this study was to identify external factors affecting the Iranian Agricultural Extension System (IAES) by 2025 using agricultural extension authorities’ viewpoints. Results of this qualitative study were obtained by using a modified Delphi technique to reach group consensus. The target population was 20 policy makers that selected by judgment sampling. It is noted that the validity of questionnaire was confirmed by panel of experts. Results of study indicated the probability of occurring sixteen external factors affecting IAES by 2025 was at “moderate to high” level that consensus was reached on fourteen external factors affecting IAES. These factors, respectively, in seven categories of "infrastructure, ecology, economic, cultural, institutional, scientific and technological revolution and the population" were reduced.

Farmers' behavior can be affected by different socio-economic factors. The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of interpersonal information sources on grape farmers’ behavior in terms of optimum use of fertilizers in their vineyards. The data for this survey were collected using a questionnaire through structured interviews. A sample of 260 out of 3942 grape farmers of the Khoramdareh township was selected using a stratified sampling technique. The content validity of the questionnaire was obtained through a panel of expert discussion and the questionnaire constructs were validated using the convergence analysis technique. The instrument reliability was also analyzed by a pilot test and measuring the Cronbach’s Alpha Coefficient (0.71-0.91). Results showed the highest percentage of optimum use of fertilizers belonged to micro element fertilizers and livestock manures, while the lowest optimum use of fertilizers was related to the Boric Acid, vermi-compost and green fertilizers. Less than half of the farmers used appropriate amount of other fertilizers. Farmers’ behavior regarding the use of optimum amount of fertilizers can be explained by variables such as farmer age, government interventions for improving orchards, and information obtain from the township Jihad-e- Agriculture Directorate specialists, particularly the Horticulture Office, from visiting the vineyards outside their village, from pesticide and input sellers, and from model and experienced farmers. Thus, farmers' behavior can be affected by both formal and informal interpersonal information sources.

The main purpose of this study is to determine welfare impacts of trade liberalization on maize market. For this purpose, we used from time series data for the period 1961/2009 and estimated domestic supply, domestic demand and import demand for maize. Results of estimation showed that price elasticity of supply and demand is 0.32 and -0.25, respectively. Then, by means of these elasticities, we measured welfare impacts of this policy. Regarding to available information, observed that imported price of maize is lower than producer and consumer price. Therefore, we expect that by doing trade liberalization policy, producer and consumer welfare decrease and increase, respectively. That result of this study confirms this pretension. Also, on the track of administration of this policy, government expenditure deceases. Finally, results showed that trade liberalization cause to social welfare increases.

The results of studies conducted show that one of the main challenges of Iranian agricultural higher education system is limited interaction with the environment. The primary purpose of this study was to identifying organizational variables affecting improvement of interaction status of Iranian agricultural colleges within the organizational health concept. Target population included all of faculties’ members in agricultural colleges in Tehran, Zanjan and Ardebil universities. Statistical sample selected through proportional stratified random sampling. Sample size was designed by calculating Cochran formula. The research instrument was questionnaire. The validity of the questionnaire was approved by the judgment of experts. In order to measure the reliability of the questionnaire, Cronbach Alpha coefficients were calculated (a=0.83). The data were analyzed by SPSS-win16 software's, with proper statistical methods. Findings showed that there is a positive and significant relation between interaction status and five variables such as nature of work, supervision situation, reward situation, payment situation and regulation. The relations between educational background variable as well as amount of scientific activities with interaction status as depended variable were significant. Likewise, about 64 percent of respondents evaluated their colleges’ interaction status in a low and relatively low level.