Iranian Journal of Agricultural Economics and Development Research
Year:2016 | Volume:47-2 | Issue:1 |Papers Count:21

Organizations to survive and maintaining their positive and constructive role need new thinking and ideas, to ensure their own dynamic. Otherwise they will be condemned to decay and destruction. One of the factors in incidence of innovation is the organizational culture that could be promoter or inhibitor of innovation in the organization. According to the main function of universities which is to expand frontiers of science and knowledge and foundation of science, creativity and innovation, innovativeness in higher education system is more important than other organizations. In this regard, this study aimed to explain the role of organizational culture in the innovation of faculty members in Khuzestan university system. The statistical population of this study consisted of all faculty members in Khuzestan university (N=120), and questionnaires were sent to all of them. Finally 108 of the questionnaires were completed and returned. The instrument of this study was questionnaire which its validity was confirmed by the panel of experts and its reliability was confirmed by Cronbach's Alpha coefficient (α > 0. 70). Data analysis was done by SPSSwin18 software. Correlation analysis showed that there was a significant and positive relationship between all components of organizational culture variable and level of innovation among faculty members (P<0. 01). Also, regression analysis showed that about 61/1 percent of the changes in innovation of faculty members could be explained by the components of the organizational culture. The results of this study can contribute to managers and planners, in order to produce strategies and programs for increase innovation of faculty members in Agricultural Higher Education System.

This study investigated various factors affecting the acceptance of sustainable agricultural methods from the viewpoint of Wheat farmers of Tabriz province. This study is the kind of descriptive-correlation. Statistical population included the Wheat farmers of Ajay Chay Village of Tabriz province (N=120). 80 people were selected by cluster sampling technique as a simple random sample (n=80). Research instrument was a questionnaire that the face and content validity were surveyed, corrected and confirmed by a panel of extension and education of agriculture experts. To determine the reliability of the instrument, pre-test was performed and cronbach's alpha coefficient was obtained 0/73. The findings indicate that among the various components evaluated this study, the Wheat farmers knowledge and the acceptance barriers between individual and professional characteristics of Wheat farmers have the meaningful correlation of land parts with the acceptance of sustainable agricultural methods. So, among the above three variables, knowledge barriers and Wheat farmers explain 34 percent of sustainable agricultural methods acceptance.

More than ninety percent of the domestic consumption of edible oils such as Rapeseed is provided by import. So, long-term planning with the objective of achieving self-sufficiency in the production of edible oils such as Rapeseed is undeniable. In this study, returns to scale of rapeseed products and substitutions and price elasticity of demand for inputs are investigated. The Translog cost function for this product had estimated, using the sectional information, and structural parameters were calculated. The results show that there was structural characteristic of returns to scale in product of Rapeseed in Iran. This means that with the increase in the size of rapeseed farms, production costs will decrease. Thus, the larger farming units in comparison with smaller agricultural units have advantages in terms of cost and efficiency in the production.

Rural development, and its related fields of study such as social sciences, economics, and environment, had various challenges. This paper aims to identify effective factors on rural development as perceived by farmers in Lorestan Province. These factors are: economic, social, environmental, infrastructure and education. Statistical population of the study consisted farmers in Lorestan Province, in which 200 farmers were selected (Cochran's Formula), using multi-stage sampling method. In this study the survey method was conducted and the data were collected using a questionnaire; which its validity and reliability was confirmed by a number of experts in rural development and Cronbach's alpha (α =0. 715: factors influencing development of rural areas), respectively. Data were alanyzed using SPSS software. Results showed that the most important factor driving the farmers to be developed is economic. However, infrastructure was scored lowest on rural development by farmers.

One of the important problems concerning the lending loans is the probability to nonpayment by borrowers. Several factors could be involved in this field which is necessary in order to control and reduce the existing risk. These factors should be identified and strategies for improving the delayed facilities implemented. This study aimed to examine factors affecting improvement of repayment in Agricultural Bank in the city of Maragheh in East Azarbaijan province of Iran. The required data were obtained by examining a sample of 779 individual farmers who had received credits from Agricultural Bank in Maragheh city during the period 2004-2008. Ordered Logit Model was utilized for analyzing the data. Results showed that having an activity besides farming, extending the repayment of loan and high amount of received loan are the factors that have negative and significant impacts on loan repayment. While, factors including high number of installments and long intervals for repayment increase significantly the probability of loan repayment. Therefore, it is suggested that agricultural banks use optimum intervals for repayment and not to extend the due for repayments in order to improve the probability of loan repayments.

The main purpose of this study was to analyze barriers affecting development of wheat insurance in Asadabad County. This study was an applied research that based on correlation-descriptive methodology. Data were collected by using questionnaire, which its estimated Cranach’ s Alpha was 0. 86. Statistical population of the study consisted all wheat farmers of Asadabad County during 2010-2011 farming year, in which 318 wheat farmer were selected by random sampling method. Data analysis was conducted in two sections: descriptive and inferential analysis, using SPSS software. In this research, personal, professional, administrative, and institutional characteristics affecting on insurance process were analyzed. Data analysis showed 11 effective factors, including: administrative weakness, land-related problems, personal-knowledge barriers, institutional uncoordination, lack of human resources and information, management procurement problems associated with tracking compensation discontent, un-satisfy and the expense of insurance and wrong way of compensation assessment. These factors explained 53. 17 percentages of total variances of barriers.

The purpose of this survey was to study the barriers on development of agricultural early return and entrepreneurship Small and Medium Enterprises in Zanjan province. The statistical population of the study consisted of all owners and managers of the enterprises in province of Zanjan (N= 354). A sample size of 220 was selected using a stratified random sampling technique. Data were collected by a researcher-made questionnaire. A panel of experts confirmed the validity of the questionnaire. A pilot study was conducted to establish the reliability of the instrument. Cronbach’ s alpha Coefficient for the main scale of the questionnaire was equal to 0. 76. The results of factor analysis showed that six factors including: political-infrastructural (with 17. 28 % of variance), legal (with 13. 79 % of variance), financial-cost (with 12. 35 % of variance), skill-educational (with 10. 78 % of variance), technical-geographical (with 8. 35 % variance) and communicative-informing (with 5. 14 % of variance) explained 67. 69% of total variances of barriers on development of the enterprises in Zanjan province.

Human due to behaviors and changes towards the environment, can cause its degradation and specially soil. In this regard, to prevent the environmental degradation, human behaviors have to change towards pro-environmental dimensions. Achieving behavioral changes related to environment requires an understanding about human environmental attitudes. The purpose of this research was to analyze application of environmental attitudes in regard to investigating rice farmers’ pro-environmental behavior toward soil conservation in the central part of Sari County. This descriptive study conducted by using a survey. Research tool was a questionnaire which its validity and reliability were confirmed using a panel of university professors and Cronbach's alpha, respectively. Stratified random sampling and Cochran formula were used to collect data from 120 rice farmers as sample (N=9621). The results showed: 20. 8 percent of rice farmers’ pro-environmental behavior was in the poor level, 20. 8 percent as moderate, 25 percent as good and 14. 2 percent was excellent. Also, findings revealed that those who have Egoistic view had lower levels of Pro-environmental behavior than others with biosphere and altruistic attitudes.

The agricultural sector is one of the significant sectors of economy; therefore self-sufficiency in this sector is essential. This paper aims at the discussion on impacts of establishing WTO in 1995 on wheat production self-sufficiency of five continents. Since the quantitative analysis of the optimal level of agricultural factors is the main tool to achieve self-sufficiency, comparative study of world wheat production factors before and after the establishment of the WTO is another purpose of this study. To capture the effects of inputs, two separate Cobb-Douglas wheat production functions, by using panel data-set over 1981-1995 and 1996-2010, were applied. The results of study indicate that over a 30-year period; from 1980 to 2010; the trend of wheat self-sufficiency in Africa, America and Asia were stable. However, the establishment of the WTO led to a slight increase on Europe and fluctuation decline on Oceania wheat self-sufficiency. Besides, it was found that consumption of seed WTO and fertilizer after WTO, had the greatest impact on wheat yield. The contribution of labor force had reduced and productivity of this input had increased after world trade.

The livestock breeding is the most effective economic activity in agricultural sector of Qom province. As education-extension programs is the main tools for reach to objectives of agricultural development, the goal of this research is to assess rural livestock breeder’ s satisfaction about Education-Extension programs and to determine the methods of improving them. This study is a survey research, which was conducted by questionnaire. The statistical population was consisted rural herders who had participated in (at least) one livestock extension course. The results show that satisfaction level of rural animal breeder about the extension-education programs is more than average. The highest satisfaction level is in contexts of "technical power of experts and extension workers", "access to target" and "educational content". The lowest levels of satisfaction are "features and external conditions", "rural people participation rate" and "education-extension program Information". In addition, four variables including: education, socioeconomic status, participation in education-extension programs and the businesses of earning more income created a significant difference in rural participants satisfaction. Regression analysis showed that three independent variables including: “ know Sample livestock breeders", "The area of farm land" and "to encourage children to choose livestock" have significant effects on rural livestock breeders satisfaction about education-extension programs. The most important research recommendations are: increased investment and providing credit and inputs to rural livestock breeders to improve their economic situation, the development of other jobs related to agriculture and livestock breeders, improving the quantity and quality of rural participation in the planning, implementation and evaluation of education-extension programs.

The aim of this study was to investigate the environmental effects of price increasing of energy carriers. In this regard, the Environmental Social Accounting Matrix for Iran has been prepared for the year 2006. Price changes due to rising of price increasing of energy carriers calculated using price pattern of Social Accounting Matrix and then, emissions were estimated using the ESAM’ s multipliers. Results showed that cost of production and the consumer’ s price index has increased with increasing the price of energy carriers. The most cost increasing is in energy sector by 763/84%. It has reduced energy demand. Services, manufacturing and mining sectors has the greatest decline in income and demand for energy. Given that energy consumption is one of the most important sources of environmental pollution, rising cost of energy reduced emissions and environmental pollution. So, the policy of increasing prices of energy carriers reduced environmental pollution by 5. 83 percent.

Since the agricultural sector is the largest consumer of water resources, it is important to determine economic value of water and financial efficiency of farmers. The purpose of this paper is to determine the economic value of water and financial efficiency of farmers in Khondab County, Markazi Province. In this study, the performance of four crops including wheat, barley, alfalfa and corn were calculated, involving a newly developed mathematical model. The average price of agricultural water has been determined using three methods: weighting methods based on the volume of water, the cultivated area, and the income for each plant. Among the methods, the method based on volume of water has selected as the most appropriate method. Financial efficiency was calculated for three modes including: free water, 10% of the calculated price, and the actual price of water from the farmer. Results show that financial efficiency is sensitive to changes in income more than changes in costs. Irrigation efficiency and financial efficiency are not similar in all cases. It is possible to perform pressurized irrigation if 10% of the calculated price would be received from farmers.

Development of cooperative extension structures despite of help to drive development trend and function improvement of cooperative sector can play key role in empowering cooperative agents and success of cooperatives. This two-phase research aimed to identify and prioritize development scenario of cooperative extension structures. By a Delphi study, the first phase leads to identify five alternatives and four criteria. Considering these alternatives and criteria, a decision making tree was outlined. Following designing hierarchical tree, data were collected through pair wise comparison by 21 samples among extension and cooperative experts (experts and superior managers from deputy of extension and entrepreneurship in ministry and faculty members with published articles in extension and cooperative). Expert Choice software used to analysis data. Based on the relative weight (inconsistency ratio lower than 0. 1), the alternative and criterions for developing cooperative extension structure in Iran prioritized. Criterions were prioritized as: 1) “ appropriateness with capacities and conditions of cooperative sector” , “ effectiveness regarding presenting extension and education services to stakeholders” , “ appropriateness with administration structures and related regulation” , “ feasibly regarding existing infrastructures and resources in ministry” . Alternatives were prioritized as: (1) institutional networking: organizing national cooperative extension network; (2) developing governmental administration: organizing administrative structure in ministry of Cooperative, Labor and Social Welfare; (3) institutional outsourcing: developing non-governmental structure in the cooperative sector by participation of cooperative unions; (4) go on with past situation: rebuilding organization related to former Cooperative Ministry; (5) go on with current situation: after establishing ministry of Cooperative, Labor and Social Welfare.

A safety crop is defined by the matter produced with least chemical input (fertilizer) usage in order to have no risk for consumers. This study was done to investigate the factors affecting adoption and/or rejection of cultivating safety crops and to assign the best fitted model of adoption among vegetable growers in Khuzestan Province. The study was based on a survey method using a non-proportional stratified random sampling, in which 170 safety crop adopters as well as 170 non-adopters were selected. The data were gathered through a questionnaire. The results revealed that there was a significant difference between both groups in term of using information channels and the number of visiting change agents. In addition, the adopters of safe crops had more favorite attitude toward protection of environment and low usage of external chemical inputs. They demonstrated more awareness of the disadvantageous of conventional agriculture. The findings showed that the multiplicity model was the best fitted model which could well discriminate the adopters from non-adopters. The study followed by proposing some recommendations in which policy makers were advised to apply multi-dimensional (or multiplicity) model along with pay more attention to the quality of education and ratify the legal laws to support of safety crop producers.

Greenhouse cultivation is the most intensive form of crop production, which provides a controlled microclimate that may be adapted to the needs of plants, resulting in higher yield. In recent decades area under greenhouse cultivation expand worldwide and its share in total production of agricultural products has increased dramatically. However, regarding to high consumption of chemical inputs in this cultivation system, its sustainability is under suspicion. Thus, providing mechanisms for maintaining sustainability of this production unit, leads to product healthy foods. So, this paper aims to analyze strategies of sustainability development in greenhouse cultivation of Alborz province. The methodology used in this study was collection of primary data and field observations. The target population for this study consisted of all active greenhouse owners in Alborz province (N=366). The sample (155 cases) was randomly selected and the questionnaire was evaluated by use of Cochran's formula. Reliability of the research instrument was confirmed by Cronbach's alpha coefficient (0. 85). Results showed that the strategies classified in 6 categorize, which explained 67 percent of the total variances. In this study, a confirmatory factor analysis was applied to evaluate the goodness of fit indices. The result revealed that strategies of sustainability development in greenhouses consisted of six separate factors including: supportive, production, pricing-marketing, credit, research-extension and environmental.

This study aimed to investigate the role of business ethics and managers’ personal values in the corporate social responsibility among enterprises. It was conducted in five provinces including Kermanshah, Fars, Zanjan, Markazi, and Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad, among 150 agricultural enterprises which were selected through simple random sampling method. The data were gathered by the questionnaire. Validity of questionnaire was obtained through opinions of experts of business ethics and social responsibility. Measuring of its reliability was done through Cronbach's alpha and confirmatory factor analysis. Data were analyzed by using the descriptive and inferential statistics. Results indicated that personal values had the positive and significant effect on business ethics (R=0. 2) and corporate social responsibility (R=0. 12). So, effect of business ethics on corporate social responsibility is a significant direct effect (R=0. 68). Based on the results, it was suggested to enhance the education about ethics among managers of enterprises through holding the courses of business ethics, corporate social responsibility, professional ethics, and standards in agriculture sector.

Today, the empowerment of rural women, particularly rural headed-households is a vital component in development efforts. This study was conducted with the purpose of investigating the role of social and psychological factors on female-headed household empowerment. The population of this study included 400 rural female-headed households supported by the Imam Khomeini Relief Foundation. Through simple random sampling method, 208 respondents were selected. A questionnaire was used to collect the data. The content validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by the panel of faculty members in University of Zanjan. A pilot study was conducted to establish reliability of the instrument. Cronbach’ s alpha coefficients for the main scales of questionnaire were at appropriate level (between. 82 to. 90). The collected data was analyzed by using structural equation modeling multivariate technique. The results showed that psychological, social health and political-social participation factors had significant relationships with empowerment of rural female-headed household. Therefore, enhancing and developing the training in psychological and social aspects were suggested in order to promote the empowerment of female-headed household.

In the last three decades, microfinance has been proposed as a way to combat rural poverty and some countries have achieved significant success in this field. The significance of this achievement has been in such a way that the World Bank has named, the year 2005, as the year of "microcredit" and has encouraged developing countries in the application of this credit method. The main objective of the present study is determining the effect of micro-credit funds on alleviating poverty, generating income and creating employment. Statistical population of the study consisted all members of the micro-credit funds in Kerman province in the year 2013-14, in which 97 members were selected as a sample using Cochran formula. Face validity was done with agricultural extension and education specialists. The reliability of the study using Cronbach's alpha test was about 0. 89. To analyze the data, descriptive statistical methods such as frequency, percentage, weighted scores and mean were used. Based on the results, except variables improving housing conditions and the ability to pay for children's education, the satisfaction level is more than the average (3). Thus, since the membership, total income of the family has increased and poverty declined, self-employment created and earlier business has flourished.

The purpose of this research was to investigating ecological sustainability of Rice Farms in Sirvan and Chardavol regions. Survey method was used for the research. Statistical population of the study were farmers (n-1260), by using stratified proportionate random sampling technique and based on Cochran formula, 136 farmers were selected. Instrument for data gathering was questionnaire that its validity was confirmed by experts' panel. Cronbach's Alpha coefficient has been used in order to determine questionnaire's reliability and it was equal to 0. 87. SPSS software has been used for Data analysis. Results showed that some of indices such as: exchange farm lands to other activities, amount of farm water, using disk, status of tillage, and anti bacterial seeds are suitable in these two regions. There were deferences between the two regions on indices such as: returning straw residue from crop to soil, depth of surface soil, use of fertilizers and pesticides, and use of disk for preparing farm and animal fertilizer.

The aim of this study was to assess training needs of greenhouse owners in Varamin County. The population of this descriptive correlation study consisted cucumber greenhouse owners in Varamin County (N=504), in which 120 samples were selected according to Cochran formula. Amongst, 116 completed questionnaires were analyzed. Validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by the opinions of the supervisor and advisor, and its reliability was confirmed through Cronbach alpha coefficient (. 77-. 83). The results revealed that awareness of flooding greenhouse, identifying resistant varieties suited to the climatic conditions of the region, proper recognition of the acidity or alkalinity of the soil for planting, awareness of planting trees as barriers around the house to reduce fuel consumption, knowledge of the concentration of carbon dioxide in greenhouse and information on the amount and frequency of irrigation water were the most important training needs of greenhouse owners. Regression results showed that 2 variables including: greenhouse owners’ level of education and age explained 49 % of variance of training needs.

In this study, to determine the price paid for water in Lishter plain, the environmental objectives include reducing water use, fertilizer and chemical pesticides aims at increasing the gross margin (revenue) and gross margin was risk or variance were considered. The data used including: the pattern of production, inputs and price of them, among randomly selected beneficiaries. In this study multigoal planning approach was used. In designing risk model, the annual gross margin period risk of Kohgiloyeh and BoyerAhmad province in 1998-2013 was used. In this study, yield of optimal cultivation was estimated and limited water resources in the 50, 60 and 70% was included in the program, which economic value of water were equal to £ 250, £ 1500 and £ 3050 respectively.