Journal of Agricultural Economics and Development
Year:2000 | Volume:8 | Issue:3 (31)|Papers Count:20

In this paper, trade and price policies in relation to rice have been analyzed. The trends of rice import show high fluctuation compared with the productions growth. This has caused some fluctuations in domestic prices. In addition, rice import is faced with some problems due to the government monopoly. Guaranteed price policy on rice has not been successful, mainly due to lack of storing facilities, inconsistency of prices with costs of production and time of buying. Finally some suggestions are made to solve problems.

In this paper, trade and price policies in relation to rice have been analyzed. The trends of rice import show high fluctuation compared with the productions growth. This has caused some fluctuations in domestic prices. In addition, rice import is faced with some problems due to the government monopoly. Guaranteed price policy on rice has not been successful, mainly due to lack of storing facilities, inconsistency of prices with costs of production and time of buying. Finally some suggestions are made to solve problems.

In this study, the major methods of estimating the level of farmer's risk aversion were presented and evaluated. Then, the levels of risk aversion were,calculated for a sample of 48 dairy farmers, using the safety principle (SP) method. Also, the technical and allocative components of farmers' economic efficiencies were estimated by using the stochastic production frontier method.The results of this study indicated that most of the dairy farmers are highly risk averse. Also, estimating the various components of farmers' economic efficiencies indicated a considerable potential for increasing the level of technical and allocative efficiencies by narrowing the gap among best farmers and others.

Following well known theory of Kuznets, according to which income distribution in the earlier phase of economic growth tends to become more unequal and then, with passage of time, paves an equitable path, and in line with Irma Adelman's excellent paper of more favourable effects of "agricultural demand - led indutrialization", on development indicators, especially income distribution and poverty alleviation, this paper seeks to explore the pattern of income distribution from agricultural and non - agricultural activities in rural areas in a partial equilibrium approach, and relates two fields of thought to a unified conclusion. Gini Coefficients of off - farm and non-farm activities in the rural areas are 0.55 and 0.64 respectively, which hallmark the implications of Kuznets theory and confirm the integrated conclusion of Adelman's paper. It is, therefore, preferred to put emphasis on the strategy based on "agricaltural - demend led industrialization", which gives better results than the impartial or neutral strategies.

This study was implemented in Ghazvin plain to determine the optimum cropping pattern, to compare the existing pattern with optimum pattern, to consider the net benefit of different groups in optimum and existing program and to decide the safety margin of farmers. After specifying the irrigated area, the required data were obtained from 127 farmers in 27 villages by simple random sampling method. Then, the information of typic farm in each homogeneous group was analysed using linear programming method. The results indicated that: 1. The farmers income increased considerably by using optimum pattern. 2. The safety margin ratio in maize farming activity was 76.8 percent for the farmers with more than 10 hectares of land. In other words, the risk of this activity is low and the benefit is high for the farmers. 3. In wheat farming activity, the percentage of production capacity in break - even point for farmers with less than 10 hectares of land, was 20.9 percent, and the safety margin was higher than other farming activities.

The main objectives of this study were to estimate the profit and supply functions of wheat production in Iran. Also, demand functions of various inputs, including labor, seeds and fertilizers were estimated and effects of factors such as price of fertilizers and seeds, wage rate, acreage, average of annual rainfall, investment in machinery were investigated. Finally, all own and cross elasticities of wheat supply and input demands were estimated and evaluated. Time series data covering period of 1971 to 1996 were gathered from the Ministry of Agriculture and it's various publications. An extension of model suggested by Sidhu and Baanate (1981) was developed and used in the analysis of profit and supply functions of Iranian wheat production and also inputs demand functions. The results indicated that, except average of annual rainfall, other variables were well- behaved according to the economic theories and also with the assumptions of the current study. The incompatibility of the rainfall results was minding due to aggregation of statistics used for this variable. Results of estimating input demand elasticities showed the inverse relationship between prices of inputs and their quantities. Also, input demand cross elasticities suggested a weak complementary relationship between various inputs. Furthermore, supply price elasticity with respect to wheat price was positive but less than one. Therefore, wheat farmers don't show a significant response to price change in wheat production.

Different methods (partial budgeting, net present value, internal rate of return and benefit - cost ratio) were used to study the economic transformation of flood irrigation to sprinkler irrigation in date orchards in the Barn region. Data were collected by interviewing with date producers, designer and implementing companies of sprinkler irrigation in the region. Results reveal that changing .flood irrigation to sprinkler irrigation on small orchards (less than two hectares) isn't beneficial (B/C ratio is less than one). But on the large orchards (more than two hectares) with minimum cost of transforming irrigation technology (six million rials per hectare), changes were beneficial (B/C more than one). Fragmentation and smallness of the orchards, low cost of water utility in date production, are some reasons for low diffusion rate of sprinkler irrigation as a best solution for water scarcity problem an improper usage of this important input in the region.Although transformaion of irrigation technologies in the large orchards are more advantageous compared to the small 6ne, however, rapid increase in equipment cost (in the future years) and low price of water may remove this advantage. Enterprise budgeting oJ date production in a good year (high price and high yield) shows that farmers have not enough income and savings for investment on sprinkler irrigation and government payment of low interest rate loans have to be continued. Estalishment of cooperatives for sprinkler irrigation by small producers, as well as increase in government's supports through the payment of loans, extension services and gradual increase in price of water, are some of our suggestions for the encouragement of date producers to change their irrigation technology in the region.

Hamadan has a favourable condition for the cultivation of garlic. Due to the high consumption and external demand for garlic in the European as well as Persian Gulf countries, the export of this product is quite considerable. On the year 1375, out of total 1243.8 tons of garlic exported from the country, about 1134.7 tons belonged to Hamadan province. This study is concentrated on economic evaluation of garlic production, to determine the factors affecting the production process as well as calculating productivity of each of the production factors in the Hamedan province which is one the most important provinces for the cultivation of garlic throughont the country. To this end, sectional statistics for two years of 1375 and 1376 were obtained through questionnaire and interview with the garlic producers in the Hamadan  region. The result of study indicated that many factors affect garlic production, among which cultivated areas, amount of seed consumed, numbers of irrigation and amount of pesticide cousumed are the most significant factors. Finally, it was concluded that for the rational and optimum allocation of resources by the farmers, implementation of training programs, as well as, development of new technology especially for the seed improvement is very much needed.  

One of the most important challenges of food production for the increasing population of the country is water and water resource management. Since our country is located in an arid or semi arid zone, application of irrigation technologies that increase the water use efficiency is of great significance. In the past few years, government has allocated considerable budgets and efforts to the diffusion of irrigation technology. Irrigation technologies have great impact and consequences on rural areas. The purpose of this study was to determine the impacts of adoption of sprinkler irrigation on rural poverty and inequality. Survey research method was used with a multistage stratified random sampling technique. A total of 109 farmers were interviewed in Darangon region in Fars Province. The diffusionist approach has been the dominant mode. in the promotion of sprinkler irrigation technology. The findings indicated that the diffusion of sprinkler irrigation tends to widen the gap between adopters and non- adopters and increases the relative poverty in the rural areas.  

Based on the conflicting dual views associated with the effects of the presence of the Afghan immigrant labor force on agricultural societies in Khorasan province, a quantitative analysis was made. For this purpose survey was made on 162 farming units. Results showed that the presence of the Afghan immigrant labor force had no profound effects on immigrant family labor force but caused immigration of landless families. Productivity and efficiency indices and marketing of agricultural products were not affected either, but value-behavioural parameters and quality of life were negatively affected. In general, total effects of this presence on the agricultural societies of Khorasan was negative. Based on these results, for security purposes and maintaining of the social orders and values, as well as, for better organization of local labor force, departure of the Afghan immigrant labor force is necessary.

Appropriate selection of devices for promoting products, influence its investment turnover. In this study different promotional methods for cheese products of a well established company has been studied by a survey in the city of Isfahan. The results of the study show that 27.4% of the sample studied, were familiar with brands products and 35% expressed no intention to use this brand products. Regarding the market response, the company has to improve information about its. products, by using different promotional devices, such as commercial advertisment. The results show that the most effective way for promoting these products is T.V. advertisments. As regards the purchase of cheese, about 81.7% of the interviewed samples, stated that the decision to purchase different brands of cheese is made at home, out of which 51.4% of the sample stated that the decision is made by men, and 34.4% stated that the decision is made by women. Furthermore, 64% of the samples stated that the purchasing action is done by men. These information highlight the role of men in purchasing these kind of products. These results should be taken into considration in planning different marketing and promotional methods.

Handicraft industries are one of the most important tools for increasing income in the rural and tribal societies. These handicrafts are mostly produced by women and its production resources such as labour, primary materials as well as required tools and capitals are provided domestically. Hence, the whole value added created in the production process are earned by the country's domestic economy, which has a positive impact on the GNP increase. This study which was carried out in Marand of Afzar region, indicated that handicraft industry which is mainly Gillim weaving, plays a significant role in the region's economy. This study implemented in survey method, using observational as well as operational mechanisms. Required data were collected through interview and filling out questionnaire forms. Independent variable (Gillim weaving) as well as' dependent variables (income, cost and value added) were examined and their impacts were determined through regression analysis and calculation of Spearman correlation coefficient. The results of study revealed that 81.7 percent of design and colour creativity stemed from the women mind and personal experienec. About 84.2 percent of the women interviewed, believed that settlement would improve their weaving efficiencies. Also 82.5 percent of the weavers produced first grade and top quality Gillim, and 78.9 percent of them had high weaving skills. For 50.9 percent of the weavers, financial needs were the main reason for involving in Gillim weaving activity.The result of study indicated that there is a significant relationship between independent and dependent variabls, and that Gillim weaving activity has positive impact on the annual household gross income, due to its low cost and high added values.

In order to evaluate the socio-economic factors affecting the adoption of a new technology in rural areas, the present study was undertaken. For this purpose, Markazi province, was selected in which substantial areas are under bean cultivation.Then, Khomain area in that province with the most cultivated area under bean cultivation was selected for the introduction of new bean seed variety (Talash). Farmers were classified into two categories: those who adopted the new seed variety and those who did not adopt the new seed variety. Samples were selected by simple random sampling method. The analysis was based on the primary data collected through questionnaire, and observations from the sample farmers. In this study, the factors affecting the adoption of the new seed variety, as well as, the reasons for not adopting it, were compared statistically. Then, the reasons why farmers who adopted the new technology, for a maximum period of two growing seasons abandoned it, were studied, The results showed that the main factors affecting the adoption of new variety were age, experience, literacy, new technology awareness, and other social characteristics such as, land ownership, size of land, attitude towards change, relationship with the extension officers and so forth. Therefore, interalia, it is suggested that training for the farmers and improving extension services are crucial for agricultural development. The results also indicated that agricaltural research, in addition to improve production increase, must take into account the quality and marketability of the product, as well.

To get better acquainted with diverse human societies, it is necessary to recognize the characterstics of these societies. Regarding the importance of economic and social aspects, this paper examines the household economy, as well as the residential areas of the non-migrating tribes of north Semnan in their summer quarter pastures known as Khil.To examine the role of Khil in the household economy of these tribes, library research as well as measurable and observable. methods were used by filling out questionnaire forms, in order to identify the household production as well as fuels used by them, which reflects the importance of Khil in their production process which are mainly dairy products. It also shows the substitution difficulties of fossil fuel with pasture bushes and plants. In this regard training programmes are very much needed to promote the knowledge of tribal people for correct utilization of pasture which is a natural endowment and national wealth.

Destruction of natural resources and the decline in national wealth due to the population increase and its consequences such as limitation of primary resources, have led to the presentation of management mechanisms for these resources, including utilization of solid waste and biological residuals. An example in this regard is production of compost from prosopis juliflora, which is wrongly called Samar. Prosopis juliflora is a native plant in the northern part of South America, Central' America, as well as, in countries such as Bolivia, Agentine, Colombia, Venezuela and Mexico. At the present, this tree which is planted ill arid and semi-arid region of Asia (Pakistan and Iran), Africa, as well as Australia, has widely spread over the southern part of the country, especially in the southern littoral provinces. However vast expansion of this tree has created some problems, so that it is regarded as a threat and damaging factor for the agricaltural land and outside city roads. Nevertheless, this plant has very suitable composition for the production of compost that can solve the problem of fertilizer shortage. Production of compost can also prevent the quick expansion of this plant in the southern provinces. To this end, samples were selected randomly from the leaves, stems and trunks of the plant from the regions in which it had vast expansion, such as Bandar Abbass, Minab and Rudan. The samples were analysed in order to specify the quality of the organic fertilizer, produced from the leaves, stems and trunks of this plant. The results of study indicated that fertilizer produced from prosopis juliflora required addition of some organic materials from other sources, such as household wastage. Fertilizer produced from a combination of prosopis juliflora and the household wastage, provides an appropriate fertilizer for the agricaltual land.