IRANIAN AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION AND EDUCATION JOURNAL
Year:2020 | Volume:16 | Issue:1|Papers Count:14

Present research was carried out using a mixed-method approach in two phases. The first phase was done through a classic Delphi method in three rounds. The data and information were gathered through a semistructured interview (first round ) and open– ended questionnaire (final round ) with a sample of stakeholders of agri-startup in Golestan province. As a result of the first phase, nine dimensions, 16 components, and 87 indicators were identified. In the second phase, a "foresight" approach was applied to analyze a 16×16 structural self-interaction matrix of the identified components for the agri-startup ecosystem in the Golestan province using MICMAC software. As a result, seven components identified as determinant factors influencing on the agri-startup ecosystem in the Golestan province, including regional development; startup social network (startup community ); social performance; entrepreneurial capabilities of entrepreneurs; extension programs and cultural events; entrepreneurial education system and territorial attractiveness or spatial advantages (geography of agro-entrepreneurship ). Finally, based on the scenarios development approach, the 29 possible and probable future situations of the agri-startup ecosystem were articulated. Using Scenario Wizard Software, a desirable Scenario (spring break ), a midway Scenario based on the status quo (autumn fall), and a critical scenario (winter sleep ) extracted and introduced.

Choosing crop pattern highly depends on mental schemas of the production actors. Therefore, analysis of these schemas is an essential step in organizing agricultural production in Iran. Hence, the purpose of the present study was to analyze the farmers’ and agricultural managers’ mental schemas in selecting the cropping pattern in the South of Sistan and Baluchestan province, using a descriptive-analytical method. For this purpose, first, the actors of agricultural sector were identified in Chabahar and Sarbaz Counties. Then, farmers’ and managers’ concepts for selecting farm planning were identified. Afterwards, the importance of these concepts were determined through Gray Theory. Finally, the combinations of farmers’ and managers’ concepts were clustered using a Hierarchical Dendrogram. The findings showed that the highest level of the score of crop planning concepts are related to crop profitability (0. 962), optimum level of life (0. 763) and production increase (0. 773), respectively. Also, in this study, the classification of crop planning concepts highlights the importance of using “ supportive levers” to improve crop planning in the studied area. Based on the results, it is clear that a comprehensive agricultural management system is required for "planning", "dynamic management", and "the way of farmers’ interaction with related organizations". Such infrastructure will reduce or eliminate the inefficient situation of information in terms of dispersion, multiplicity, inconsistency, incoherence, and etc; and ultimately confound decision makers.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the challenges of establishing agricultural knowledge-based companies (AKBCs ) in order to provide appropriate strategies, which was done using an applied research design, an exploratory data collection and analysis method, and a field survey at Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology (IROST ). The statistical population consisted of all IROST faculty members, 23 of whom were purposefully selected as the sample. The results of the SWOT analysis showed that the most important strengths to launch of AKBCs in the internal environment were "efficient use of experts and innovators" and "having the facilities and infrastructure to rent to AKBCs" and the main weaknesses were "lack or failure to define the intellectual property rights practices and policies of AKBCs" and "emphasis of promotion regulations on faculty members' articles and research projects". In the external environment, "supporting innovative knowledge-based projects in the country", "agricultural industry needing research and development units to produce innovative and technological products" and "making money from AKBCs" were extracted as the most important opportunities. In addition, "low transparency and unstructured economy of the country in the use of knowledgebased products" was identified as the major threat. The analysis of total environment showed that external environment dominates the internal. Furthermore, the positive and auxiliary environment dominates the risky environment. The result of the strategic environment analysis demonstrated that aggressive (growth and development) strategies should be used to establish AKBCs.

eople participation is the most important tool for the success of economic and social development programs, especially the optimal use of water resources in rural areas. Recognizing factors influencing villagers' participation and their impacts makes it possible to plan and act to involve people more intensively in the future water conservation and restoration program as well as restrict the barriers of participation. In this regard, the present study was aimed to identify the socio-cultural and economic driving and restraining forces affecting public participation in the construction and operation of irrigation canals in Veys area. For this purpose, a survey method was used in which all Veys's Irrigation Network users were considered as the statistical population. Then, by simple random sampling, 217 users were selected. The data collection instrument was a questionnaire which was employed after confirming its validity and reliability. Data analysis was performed by SPSS and Pathmaker software based on the force field analysis to identify the driving and restraining forces of rural participation. Results showed that the users' participation was very poor in the decision-making stage, moderate in the implementation, and high in the exploitation and evaluation phase. The results of the analysis of driving and restraining forces related to socio-cultural and economic factors revealed that in all cases, the score of the restraining forces was higher than the score of the driving forces. That is, the desire to maintain the status quo and the lack of willingness to change among the water users is stronger than their desire to make a difference. Finally, after identifying the problematic factors and their contribution in the current situation, in order to achieve a more favorable situation, some solutions were proposed to weaken the deterrent forces and/or to exacerbate the driving forces or both.

One of the important indicators in urban planning is the attention to the quality of life of the citizens. Because, growth and improvement of the quality of life affect other dimensions of development in the cities and villages and it paves the way for development and progress. Assessing the residents' satisfaction with the living environment can help assess the policies, rankings of places, and formulate strategies for urban and rural planning and management. Present research studied the satisfaction of residents of Mohammad Abad, Ali-Abad, and Yazdel villages in Aran-Bidgol district. The sample size of the study was 291 villagers. The main data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire and the statistical analyses and structural equation modeling have been done using AMOS and SPSS software. A single-sample T test was used to analyze the data and determine the status of quality of life indicators. T-test results showed that the social, economic quality, and physical-environmental and service-related indicators are at un-desirable, semi-desirable, and desirable levels, respectively. Structural equation modeling was also used to assess the components of quality of life. The results of the second-order confirmatory factor analysis indicated that paying attention to the social indicator in the studied villages might increase the life quality, economic, physical, service, and environmental indices by 0. 87%, 0. 82%, 0. 77%, 0. 26%, and 0. 23%, respectively.

The purpose of this empirical research was to examine the status of social networks in employee self-efficacy with emphasis on the theory of media use and gratification. The statistical population of the study consisted of 435 Agricultural Jihad Extension Staff in Mazandaran province. The required sample size was determined using a formula for finite population correction of 158 experts from Agricultural Jihad Organization of Mazandaran province as a proportional stratified method. The data gathering tool was a questionnaire which its validity was evaluated in three ways: Face, construct and discriminant; and its reliability was investigated through the composite reliability and Cronbach alpha. The results of the research showed that audiences who are satisfied with the media and who are involved with the media as active audiences have a higher level of social influence due to their expertise in the media, and ultimately, have a sense of social value on acquired skills. Also selective application of social networks could reinforce Knowledge gap theory. Because, more access of agricultural extensions staff to information through social networks could lead to more their knowledge enhancement in compare to the other staff.

Ravansar county in Kermanshah province is known for its rain-fed chickpea production. This variety has shown limited yield across Ravansar county. Therefore, agricultural policymakers have focused on winter variety of chickpea as an alternative to spring variety. However, during the past decade, the rate of adoption of winter chickpea has been limited to only 20% of all total rain-fed chickpea production in the region. Therefore, the purpose of this mixed method design was application of Roger’ s Theory in adoption of winter chickpea among farmers in Ravansar county. In the quantitative part, 170 farmers were selected using simple random sampling whereas in the qualitative part a case study of 10 target farmers were interviewed using purposeful sampling method. Data was collected through a researcher-made questionnaire based on Roger’ s Theory of Innovation Characteristics and in-depth interview. Descriptive statistics and content analysis were used to analyze quantitative and qualitative data, respectively. Results revealed that all five innovation characteristics (observability, trialability, compatibility, relative advantage, and complexity ) were effective in winter chickpea adoption. Furthermore, qualitative results showed that observability and trialability were more influential during the early stage of decision-making and compatibility, relative advantage, and complexity were more influential during the sustainable adoption of winter chickpea. Overall, there is evidence to support Roger’ s Theory of Innovation Characteristics.

Due to the importance of water as one of the main agricultural inputs and at the same time, the destruction of water resources and the occurrence of water shortage crisis in the agricultural sector in recent years and also considering the farmers' pivotal role in programs and strategies of sustainable water resources management, this study was conducted to investigate the factors affecting water resources conservation behaviors (WRCBs ) among farmers. The statistical population of the study comprised all farmers in the rural areas of central district of Zanjan County among which 330 persons were selected through multi-stage sampling method. The data collection tool was a questionnaire. A panel of experts confirmed the content validity of the questionnaire and the construct validity and composite reliability of the research instrument were obtained by estimating measurement model and after making necessary corrections. According to the results obtained, most of the surveyed farmers did not adequately adhere to various WRCBs (including crop-related actions, irrigation-related actions, soil-related actions and actions related to equipment and technology ) and they applied these actions on a relatively small level. Also, the results of estimating two structural models using multivariate technique of structural equation modeling revealed that the two main constructs of the protection motivation theory including, threat appraisal and coping appraisal (explaining 55% of variances ) as well as its five components including, perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, response efficacy, response costs and self-efficacy (explaining 60% of variances ) had significant effects on WRCBs. Overall, the findings of this research verified the validity and effi ciency of the protection motivation theory in explaining and predicting pro-environmental behaviors such as WRCBs.

The purpose of this descriptive-correlational research was to explain the role of information and communication technologies (ICTs ) in the formation of the apricot value chain in Mahneshan Township. The statistical population of the study was apricot growers of central region in Mahneshan connty (N=320 ). The sample size determined via the Cochran formula (n=118 ). The sampling method was simple random sampling. The research instrument was a researcher-designed questionnaire. Content validity of the questionnaire verified by the panel of experts. The reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed by calculating the Cronbach’ s alpha coefficients in the desirable range (greater than 0. 7 ). Descriptive results showed that the mean for components of the ICTs including information resources, resource usage level, and accessibility level were 1. 687, 1. 188, and 1. 957, respectively. Furthermore, the calculated mean value for apricot value chain was obtained 1. 957 out of 6. Findings of structural equation modeling (SEM ) showed that this variable could explain about 67% of the variation of apricot value chain formation in Mahneshan county. The two components of access rate and the use of resources with the values of 0. 37 and 0. 25, had the highest and lowest effect on the formation of apricot value chain, respectivel.

Serious problems arising from unethical behaviors in agriculture have further highlighted the importance of institutionalizing ethical agriculture. Because farmers are the most important cause of unethical behaviors in agricultural activities, paying attention to their practices and educating them on how to achieve ethical farming have now become an important goal. There are several ways to reach agreement among all agricultural stakeholders to develop environmental protection programs in agriculture. However, one of the most applicable methods for this purpose is the responsive evaluation method. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to develop a guideline for changing the information, insights, and skills of all relevant stakeholders in Talboume village in Khuzestan province. The farmers were from Talboume village of Bavi city and out of them 15 persons were selected using snowball sampling. The interveners were Bavi County Agricultural Jihad Management Experts and Bavi Central Provincial Personnel and from whom five samples were selected to participate in the research process. The results of the study identified the reduction of power differences among stakeholders, improved interaction, and fitness in action theories of stakeholder as the three main pillars for changing core beliefs and the implementation of Double loop Learning. The operational model of the study confirmed that both villagers and other interventionists undeniably need training and learning in order to achieve ethical behavior with the environment. In order to achieve this type of learning, farmers' field visits to production units adhering to the principles of ethical farming are recommended as the method of demonstrating results.

Urban agriculture is a method for reducing vulnerability of the world's urban population in the face of ecological changes. The most important functions of urban agriculture are including energy management and reduction of product transfer, urban waste management, improvement in the quality of soil and water and cities air, improvement in the quality of food and food security, managing unexpected situations and dilemmas, and finally improving the status of citizenship and appearing desirable behaviors of citizenship. The aim of this study was to determine the capacities of urban agriculture from the perspective of agricultural students of Tabriz University. This study was applied and descriptive research in terms of data collection. The population of the study consisted 845 students. The sample (n=148) was selected using systematic random sampling method by Cochran's formula. For examining the reliability of the questionnaire a pre-test was conducted. The values of Cronbach's alpha coefficient for different concepts of the questionnaire varied between 0. 81 – 0. 92. The data was analyzed using SPSS 22 and Smart PLS software. Results showed that the greatest loading factor (0. 898) and T statistics (39. 441) are related to the urban agriculture capacity in using surface water resources to feed underground water reservoir.

Today, success in water and soil management and conservation programs to reduce soil erosion is one of the top priorities of all countries, including Iran and one of the prominent examples in this area is the use of conservation agriculture with the aim of achieving sustainable development and production and sustainable management of water and soil resources. The purpose of this study, was to spatial ranking and Leveling of selected wheat cultivation villages in southern Kerman based on conservation agriculture Approach. The research method was a descriptive-analytical study which was conducted using survey method. The statistical population consisted of wheat farmers in rural areas of southern Kerman. The sample size was estimated about 327 farmers using the Krejcie and Morgan table. The sampling method was proportional stratified random sampling method. The research instrument was a researcher-made questionnaire whose validity was confirmed by a panel of experts, and its reliability was confirmed by Cronbach's alpha coefficient. The results of ranking the villages using VIKOR technique showed that HeydarAbad Chahsokhteh and Abass abad Tarh Ahrar with the coefficient scores of 0. 004 and 0. 018 ranked first and second, respectively, Furthermore, “ Ferdoos” ranked the last by obtaining the coefficient scores of 0. 994. Moreover, the results of spatial classification showed the existence of disparity and inequality between the studied villages at different levels. The results also revealed that 52. 8% of rural areas were in the category of "favorable and desirable", 36. 1% were in the category of "halfeaten", and 11. 1% were in "deprived or undesirable" category. Eventually, due to the fact that 52. 8% of rural areas were in the category of "favorable and desirable", it can be concluded that the studied rural areas were in a favorable position in terms of conservation agriculture.

Agricultural land use change is one of the main environmental challenges facing the world today. Among various types of economic sectors, agriculture is one of the most sensitive economic sectors in terms of agricultural land use changes. Therefore, agricultural land management can be very influential in agricultural development. Due to the importance of possible effects of farmers’ behavior on agricultural land use changes, the main purpose of present study was to identify the factors influencing farmers' behavior on agricultural land use change in the area of south basin of Urmia lake using discriminant analysis. For conducting this research a survey method has been used. The research statistical population were the all farmers in the south basin of Lake Urmia. Out of them 153 farmers were selected as a sample by a random sampling method. The sample size estimated using Cochran formula. The instrument for collecting data was a questionnaire which its validity was confirmed by a panel of experts. The reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed using Cronbach’ s alpha coefficients (α =0. 74 ). Results of Kruskal-Wallis test showed that according to categorizing variables age, participation in educational-extensional training courses, and the size of agricultural lands, there was significant differences in the respondents' behavior towards agricultural land use changes in the south basin of Lake Urmia. However, in terms of level of education, there was no significant difference in the behavior of the respondents. Also, the findings of discriminant analysis showed that among the variables studied, economic, supervisory, and managerial factors had the most powerful impacts, respectively; and participation in educational-extensional training courses had the lowest impact on the farmers' behavior. Based on these results, the authorities of rural and agricultural sectors recommended to pave the way for development of handicrafts and various rural products including agricultural and livestock processing by attracting funds. As a result, farmers and their families can have a supplementary income for household expenses.

The purpose of this research was to analyze the transition barriers to organic farming among paddy farmers in Mazandaran province. This study was a qualitative research and the case study approach was used to fulfill the purpose. Statistical population were the organic paddy farmers that had received certification of healthy product from Standard Organization of Mazandaran province. Based on a purposive sampling approach, 15 samples were interviewed. The main instrument for data collection was an open-ended questionnaire (protocol). The in-depth interviews and field observations were used for data collection. The analysis of data was carried out through surveys, coding, category development processes. The results showed that the transition barriers to organic farming system include challenges and costs. Lack of knowledge, lack of governmental supports, fear of the future, inappropriate production and financing systems, lack of time and energy were respectively mentioned as the most important challenges and costs of the conversion to organic farming by paddy farmers.