Iranian Journal of Agricultural Economics and Development Research
Year:2011 | Volume:42-2 | Issue:2|Papers Count:13

Diversity in natural aspects for relaxation, entertainment as well as recreational opportunities associated with walking, sightseeing, camping near wells, qanats, and springs to spend leisure time and to enjoy landscapes, represents the recreational values which can be perceived due to surface water limitations. Recreational value of water includes the benefits derived from those who leave water resources and their attributes intact for others. Areas with groundwater resources (Chack-Chack, Gharbalbiz, Tamehre and Darehghahan) in Yazd- Ardakan plain attract many tourists annually. This study endeavors to determine the recreational value of groundwater resources of Yazd- Ardakan plain and to elicit visitors’ willingness to pay using contingent valuation method. To collect data, a questionnaire with a single-bounded dichotomous choice format was developed in 2009. Results reveal that the total recreational value and the household’s recreational value are 1.38 billion Rials and 11280 Rials, respectively. Considering the weighted mean of WTP, the entrance fee for water-based recreation areas would be 4700 Rials. These estimates provide rational justification for policy makers and managers to support the conservation of water-based recreational areas.

This paper presents the application of multivariate time series model (ARDL) to investigate factors affecting bread waste and to explore the relationships among shortrun, longrun and error correction coefficient and the independent variables over the period 1978-2006. Results reveal that Gross National Product and urbanization have positive effects on bread waste in the long term, while the bread price and Gini coefficient have negative effects on bread waste in short term. To predict the amount of bread waste, artificial neural network (ANN) and ARDL model were applied. Comparison of the two models indicated that the ANN-ARDL multi-layer perceptron model (3 layers) with a hyperbolic tangent transfer function for the hidden layer and a delta-bar-delta learning algorithm, is the best model for forecasting the amount of bread waste. This amount will exceed 3.181 million tons in 2011. This implies that considering the wheat price in 2006, USD 1145 million will be removed from the national economic cycle.

In the current turbulent environment, sustainable organizational success cannot be achieved without considering organizational learning. Due to the global pressures, higher education institutions including agriculture colleges should turn to learning organizations to face the challenges ahead. Hence, the purpose of this descriptive correlational study is to investigate organizational learning and the influential factors in agricultural faculties in the province of Tehran. The statistical population consisted of 100 faculty members in College of Agriculture and Natural Resources of Tehran University, Abureyhan University College of Agriculture, Colleges of Agriculture of Tarbiat Moddares University and Shahed University. To collect data, a questionnaire was developed and pre tested. The validity of the instrument was confirmed by experts and its reliability was assessed through Cronbach’s Alpha. Results revealed that with respect to all contextual factors (i.e. shared vision, systematic thinking, organization learning culture, flexible organizational structure, personal and professional development, and transformational leadership) and process factor (organizational learning) the current status and the moderate/average level differ significantly. The results of correlation analysis showed that there exists a positive correlation between organizational learning and all of the contextual factors. The results of multiple regressions revealed that three contextual factors i.e. transformational leadership, systematic thinking, and flexible organizational structure play the most significant role in explaining the organizational learning variance, respectively.

The main purpose of this study was to analyze the causes, impacts and mechanisms of drought crisis management in rural and nomadic communities in Iran. 201 experts and managers involved in drought crisis management were surveyed through a complete enumeration/census. Face validity and content validity of the questionnaire were confirmed by experts. The calculated Cronbach’s alpha for the different sections of the instrument were 0.81, 0.76 and 0.72. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS 11.5) was used to treat and analyze the obtained data. Factor analysis was employed to analyze the data. Five components emerged from factor analysis of the causes of drought vulnerability including socio-economic factor (32.42% of the variance), livelihood factor (19.3% of the variance), hydrological factor (17.79% of the variance), agricultural factor (10% of the variance) and meteorological factor (9% of the variance). In a similar vein, four principal components including ecological and environmental impacts, economic and livelihood impacts, social impacts and psychological impacts were extracted using factor analysis. Additionally, five principal components were extracted from the factor analysis of management mechanisms. Considering these factors, a conceptual model has been proposed.

Higher education system, as an investment in human resources, plays a key role in training people. It also plays a determinant role in different political, social, economic and cultural aspects of the society. Therefore, ensuring the quality of performance in higher education to prevent the waste of human and financial resources along with possessing the ability to compete in the future, wherein quality is supposed to be a significant component for organization’s survival, is an undeniable necessity. Hence, the purpose of this descriptive correlational study is to analyze the quality of educational services (QES) in College of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University (TMU). A structured questionnaire with close-ended questions was developed and its validity and reliability were confirmed. The target population of the study consisted of the students of College of Agriculture, TMU (N=674) out of which, according to Cochran Formula, 159 individuals were selected using simple random sampling method. Findings revealed that from students’ viewpoint, the quality of educational services in College of Agriculture, TMU could be prioritized as: 1) Reliability, 2) Empathy, 3) Responsiveness, 4) Assurance, and 5) Tangibles. The comparison of means indicated that there exists a significant difference between the satisfaction level of Master’s students and PhD. students, and also between, male and female students regarding the quality of educational services.

Considering the pace of scientific, technological and cultural developments, one will have no other choice but to learn over a lifetime. Mobile learning as a new stage of e-learning development with the potential of using mobile devices, is supposed to be an effective means for lifelong learning. Therefore, the purpose of this survey was to analyze the problems of agricultural education system and to resolve them through mobile education. The statistical population of the study consisted of specialists in Jihad-e-Keshavarzi organization in Khuzestan province (N=715) out of which, 248 specialists were selected with respect to Morgan table. The sample was drawn using stratified sampling method. To analyze the data, SPSS (Win 15) was used. Results revealed that lack of harmony among agricultural education system, global changes and scientific advances is the underlying factor of the problems attributed to this system. Also, removing the limitations associated with time and place is among the most important factors which can help resolve the problems of agricultural education system through mobile training. The results of the factor analysis indicated that from specialists’ viewpoint, managerial and economic problems, structural problems, staff problems, planning problems and inflexibility of the education system are among the most important factors. Also, the results of the factor analysis showed that resolving managerial and planning problems is an important factor in resolving the problems of agricultural education system through mobile training.

The present study was conducted to investigate qualitative and quantitative aspects of irrigated wheat production in three major farming systems i.e. peasant, commercial and cooperative systems in Kordestan province. Accordingly, seven basic hypotheses were tested. The data were drawn from individual interviews with 360 farmers who planted wheat in 2004-2005. The sample was selected using multistage cluster technique. The results revealed that the peasant farming systems had significantly the lowest level of soil erosion and pollution. Meanwhile, the findings indicated that employment hits lowest level in the cooperative farming systems. Additionally, labor productivity was at the highest level in the same systems. However, cooperative farming systems had the lowest level of adaptability to the socio-economic conditions. In terms of production, peasant farming systems were more flexible than other systems. In sum, peasant farming systems paid more attention to environmental concerns, while cooperative farming systems focused on the production aspects. Finally, this study recommends that in order to design an appropriate model, long term programs are needed to ensure a balance among these three farming systems.

The main purpose of this study was to investigate experts’ perceptions of barriers to organic farming in Ministry of Agriculture. The population of this survey consisted of the experts in department of horticultural products, ministry of agriculture in 2008-2009 (N=160). Using Of Kerejcie and Morgan table, 113 experts were selected through stratified random sampling method. Validity of the instrument was confirmed by a panel of extension and education specialists, horticulture specialists and also organic farming specialists in Jihad-e-Agriculture ministry. The reliability was calculated using Coronbach’s Alpha (0.79 to 0.84).The findings showed that from experts’ viewpoint, among the three barriers (i.e. economic, cognitive and perception, and information), economic barrier is the most important one. Also, economic barriers have a positive and significant relationship with experts' perception of organic farming development.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the challenges of agricultural water management from farmers’ viewpoint. The statistical population consisted of 5297 farmers in Karaj County. A total number of 142 farmers were selected applying Cochran’s formula. The sample was drawn using stratified sampling method with proportional allocation. To collect data, a questionnaire was developed. To ensure face validity, faculty members of the department of agricultural extension and education, University of Tehran and experts revised the questionnaire. Cronbach's alpha was calculated for different sections of the instrument and values of ? 0.7 were considered to be acceptable. The data were analyzed using SPSS. Farmers were asked to prioritize the challenges and limitations of water management. Of these challenges, farmers cited surface water reduction and the decline in groundwater levels as the most important ones. With regard to water transfer, leakage of canals, decay of the coverage of canals, and water infiltration were reported as the main issues. In terms of water consumption, lack of application of mechanized irrigation systems was mentioned as the first priority. Moreover, the challenges of agricultural water management were classified into 7 categories through the factor analysis including: quantitative and qualitative problems of water sources, economic challenges, etc.

Agricultural risks affect farmers’ livelihood and income, and exert detrimental influence on the environment leading farmers and rural labor to poverty. Hence, farmers should try to manage the risks. The purpose of this descriptive correlational study was to address the determinants of risk management strategies applied by corn growers in Kermanshah Township. The statistical population of the study consisted of the corn growers of Kermanshah Township (N=3239). Using a systematic random sampling technique, 340 farmers were selected. Results indicated that farmers manage agricultural risks by applying production, human, and legal strategies, respectively. Level of education, ownership, landholding size, income, and participation in extension courses could explain a large proportion of the variance in the utilization level of risk management strategies.

The sustainability of farming system is among the serious issues that has attracted the attention of many researchers in recent years. Therefore, an investigation of farmers’ knowledge about sustainable agriculture is important, if sustainable development is to be achieved. The purpose of this descriptive correlational research was to determine the knowledge level of potato growers in Shushtar Township and to evaluate factors affecting the knowledge of sustainable agriculture. The statistical population of this study consisted of 4200 potato growers in Shushtar township. 137 potato growers were selected through multistage sampling method. A panel of experts including faculty members with an expertise in agronomy, agricultural extension and agricultural economy approved the validity of the questionnaire. Cronbach’s alpha was calculated for the attitude scale (0.79) and also for the knowledge scale (0.85) in a pilot study. The results showed that potato growers’ knowledge and attitude are both at a moderate level. The majority of the respondents reported a medium level of sustainability in their farming system. Also, there exist positive and significant correlations between age, farming experience, membership in a cooperative, type of farming system, type of cultivation, landholding size, land allocated to growing potato, total production, attitude, level of sustainability and knowledge of sustainable agriculture. The results of a multiple regression analysis revealed that attitude toward sustainable agriculture, experience, age, total potato production and type of faming system could explain about 47 percent of the variance of knowledge about sustainable agriculture.

In order to produce agricultural products, modern techniques are being used in agriculture sector. To respond to the changes effectively, students should prepare themselves applying practical trainings. The aim of this descriptive study was to analyze students’ expectations and demands regarding Agricultural Operations Course in the faculty of agriculture, Zanjan University. 114 students were selected through random sampling technique. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by a group of experts. Cronbach’s alpha was calculated (0.83 for the current status index and 0.88 for the desired status indicator). Results revealed that there was a considerable gap between students’ expectations and the present status, particularly in terms of using modern irrigation techniques in agriculture, mechanization of crop harvesting and cultivation. The results of the factor analysis showed that students’ expectations can be classified into four categories namely mechanization, scientific learning experience, compiling experiences, and traditional activities.

Artificial insemination (AI) is an important technique for breeding that has been extensively used in dairy farming worldwide. However, it has not been fully adopted in Iran's dairy farms, especially in Ardabil province. The main objective of this research was to study factors affecting adoption of AI in dairy farms of Ardabil province. In order to predict the adoption of AI, technology adoption models were compared for their ability to explain the variations. Survey research design was used in this study. To collect data, a randomly selected sample of 95 dairy farmers was studied using a questionnaire. The instrument was validated by a panel of experts. A pilot study was carried out in collaboration with 30 farmers and accordingly appropriate changes were made in the construction and sequence of interview schedule. Moreover, Cronbach's alpha was computed to measure the reliability of the instrument (=0.89). To examine the objective of the study, respondents were divided into two categories of adopters and non-adopters. Discriminant analysis was used to find the impacts of selected variables of diffusion model (DM), farm structure model (FSM), technology acceptance model (TAM) and multiplicity model (MM) on adoption of AI. Results revealed that DM and FSM explained 51.55% and 15.29% of variances of discriminant function, respectively. The TAM with two key components could explain only 38.69% of variance. However, TAM and FSM jointly explained 45.43% of variance indicating that TAM could be a supplement of FSM. Finally, MM consisting of all variables of mentioned models with a set of suitable factors explained 58.06% of variance. So, key factors affecting adoption of AI were dairy farmers' innovativeness (farmers' objectives), extension-administration and common factors (information sources) from DM, agro-pasture landholding size from FSM and PU from TAM models.