IRANIAN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES (JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE)
Year:2008 | Volume:39-2 | Issue:1 (AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS & DEVELOPMENT)|Papers Count:31

The objective of this study was to develop a forecasting model which can be used to predict the monthly price of broiler in Iran. To this end, the authors resorted to time series techniques and utilized the periodic autoregressive (PAR), the regression-based time series, and the Box- Jenkins (SARIMA) models as the primary nominates for forecasting model. Results revealed that broiler price does not follow a regular periodic behavior, thus the PAR (q) model could not be considered as an appropriate framework for modeling the broiler price behavior. Results of seasonal unit root test indicated that the monthly prices of broiler follow a non-stationary stochastic seasonal trend. Accordingly, the regression-based model is an appropriate modeling framework. While SARIMA is an alternative modeling approach, the RMSE of forecasting error suggested the superiority of the regression-based model over the SARIMA model. Therefore, the estimated parameters of the regression-based model can be more safely employed to predict the monthly prices of broiler in Iran.

One of the more appropriate choices for having a competitive and market oriented agriculture sector as well as being more active in the world market is to develop greenhouse enterprises. Climate diversification, availability of manpower, technical knowledge and cheap energy are some encouraging reasons for a development of greenhouse enterprises in Iran. Moving towards a development of greenhouse enterprises requires an availability assessment of environmental factors that influence success of entrepreneurs in horticultural greenhouses enterprises. The purpose of this research was to analyze the environmental factors that influence the success entrepreneurs in horticultural greenhouse enterprises in Iran. A surveying method of research has been employed, the statistical society being the entrepreneurs of greenhouses in Iran. A classified sampling method (N=142) was employed. The instrument of research was a questionnaire, developed as based on background of the subject. Cronbach alpha coefficient was calculated equal to %86 indicating the reliability appropriateness of the questionnaire. Also, content and face validity of the questionnaire was confirmed based on experts' opinion. Analysis of the data has been done with the use of SPSS software. Findings of the research indicated that Policies, economics, ecological factors, dynamics of the environment and informational factors are among determining factors that influence the success of entrepreneurs in horticultural greenhouses enterprises in Iran.

Benefits of soil conservation practices in rain-fed wheat farms of Golestan, Zanjan, Kermanshah, Kordestan, Hamedan, West and East Azerbaijan have been evaluated by using the survey data of a 3150 sample survey. A conceptual framework has been employed for the purpose. In this framework soil conservation value is considered in a dynamic process as quasirent difference or producer surplus share that is derived from soil quality changes. Results indicate that an employment of soil conservation practices prevents about 10.8% (max) and 2% (min) of soil quality loss in West Azarbayjan and Kermanshah provinces, respectively. Average annually user profit of soil conservation in Golestan, Kermanshah, Kordestan, Hamedan, East Azarbayjan, Zanjan and West Azarbayjan have been estimated to be 45297, 46093, 11428, 15715, 86575, 14547 and 46890 rials per hectare, respectively. Also, average annual compensated yield due to soil conservation in these provinces were 177,174,41,77,221,45 and 180 kg per hectare respectively. With regard to these findings, extension and expansion of traditional methods of soil conservation as based on local knowledge and/or modem methods, and founded on new technologies, investment in soil conservation, government financial support, and allocation of special funds for soil conservation have been introduced as suggestions.

The overall purpose in this study was to investigate Marand dairy cattle farmers' attitude toward artificial insemination. The design of the study was a descriptive correlation one carried out through a survey method. Questionnaires and interviews were employed for data collection. The population of the study (N=150) consisted of dairy farmers in the city of Marand. A complete randomized sampling method was employed to select the farmers (n=108). Content validity of the instrument was established using a panel of experts consisting of senior faculty members in the fields of agricultural extension and dairy farm managements. A pilot study was conducted to determine the reliability of the questionnaire. A Kronbach reliability coefficient of 0.81 was found for the variable attitude. The results indicated that 58.4% of farmers' attitudes toward artificial insemination were either "positive" or "relatively positive". About 42% of the farmer's attitudes toward artificial insemination were either "negative" or "relatively negative". Among the variables, technical knowledge and education showed to have a statistically positive and significant relationship with farmers' attitude toward artificial insemination. Multivariate regression analysis indicated that age, income, and technical knowledge together were responsible for 23.7% of the variation in the farmers' attitudes.

The major purpose of this study was to investigate the information- seeking behavior (ISB) of the strawberry growers in Kurdistan province in Iran. Statistical population of the study consisted of 1100 strawberry growers in Kurdistan province out of which 180 were selected through stratified random sampling, from Sanandaj, Savabad and Kamyaran, the three major cities in strawberry production. Inferential analysis revealed a significant relationship between farmers' information- seeking behavior and number of household members, farm size, income, distance from market, access to inputs, and information needs. Such predictor variables as farm size, information needed, distance from market and the number of household members that entered in the stepwise Multiple Regression Analysis equation could express 44.4% of ISB in four phases. Applying one-way analysis of variance showed significant difference among the three cities in terms of ISB among their strawberry growers, and such that farmers in Sanandaj (provintial city center) were shown to enjoy a higher ISB than in other cities.

Program planning is a main function of management. Access to development in diverse dimensions depends on a plan that takes care of a real situation. One of the organizations that is directly involved in agricultural development is the Agricultural Extension and Services Centers. The main function of these centers is program planning towards alleviation of Farmers' problem(s), The main purpose of this study was to explore an appropriate planning model for program planning in extension services centers in Esfahan province /Iran. This research is a survey/expletory study. To achieve the purpose of the study, a comprehensive literature review of the previous different planning models was conducted with led to the theoretical framework of the research. A questionnaire was developed as the research tool as based on theoretical framework and used for data collection. A panel of experts confirmed the validity of the research tool. In this regard and in a pilot test, a reliability coefficient of 0.75 was obtained. The statistical population of the study was consisted of all the 266 experts of agricultural extension in Esfahan province. A sample of 187 experts was selected through Randomized Stratified Sampling Method and based on Morgan & Krejcie sampling table. T-test and descriptive statistics were employed for analysis through SPSS software. Results revealed that the existing program planning processes in extension service centers are neither appropriate nor complete. It was also revealed that extension experts have suggested a program planning model of 6 stages, compatible with the current program planning models. This model is described as an appropriate one for agricultural extensionprogram planning in extension centers in Esfahan province.

The overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in agricultural production is the cause for creating many problems in ecosystem. Increasing the technical knowledge of farmers increases their attention to and their interes in farm sustainability. The main purpose of this study was to assess the sustainability of wheat farms operated by extension volunteers in Qazvin province. This was done through a descriptive- correlational survey (DCS). The population of the study consisted of 365 extension volunteers. Simple random sampling technique was employed through which 185 growers were selected. A questionnaire was designed for gathering the data of the study. A panel of experts was appointed to confirm the content validity of the questionnaire. The results indicated that there was a moderate correlation evident between farming sustainability and rainfed farming (r=0/341), and the number of farm holdings (r=0/369). Also, a multivariate linear regression indicated that rainfed farming along with number of farm holdings were able to explain 29/8% of the sustainability of wheat farms. The type of farming system was observed as not significantly affecting farm sustainability.

Participatory decision-making is critical to the success of rural cooperatives. The purpose of this research was to determine the factors associated with members' participation in managing rural cooperatives. The research population for the study consisted of the members of rural cooperatives in Kermanshah Township. The study followed a descriptive correlation design. A sample of 264 members was selected using systematic random sampling technique. Based on the major findings of the study, the level of members' participation in managing cooperatives was moderate. Based on regression analysis, much variables as level of participation in training courses, level of satisfaction with cooperatives, attitude toward cooperation and level of education were the most important factors influencing the overall level of members' participation in management of cooperatives. These variables explained 30 percent of variance of participation level.

The purpose of this paper is to analyse and clarify the factors that influence the adoption of sustainable agriculture by wheat farmers of Lorestan province. The research was a descriptive correlational one. The statistical population included 862 wheat farmers of Lorestan Province.Sampling method was of a random stratified type through which a sample of 140 individuals was selected. The research tool was questionnaire. The obtained data were analyzed through SPSS /13 software into two descriptive and inferential sections. The results showed that adoption of agriculture among wheat farmers of Lorestan province is at a relatively low level, and there is a significant and positive relationship between variables of level of education, social participation, access to market, rate of using mass media, participation in extension classes, level of knowledge, as well as attitude towards sustainable agriculture and farmers adoption of sustainable agriculture. The results of factor analysis showed that about 79 percent of adoption of sustainable agriculture is determined by the five factors of: farming-economic factors, characteristics of innovation, individuals' characteristics, communication channels and educational participation.

This explanatory research was carried out with the aim of investigating suitable strategies on faculty professional development in the agricultural faculties as based on a survey research. The population of the research consisted of agricultural faculties members of Iran Universities (N=1190). Using random stratified sampling method, 120 faculty members were selected. A questionnaire was developed by researcher as tool for gathering data. Validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by an expert panel that consisted of faculty members as well as researchers. Calculated coefficients of Cronbach's Alpha for separate parts (0.90) were considered as reliability appropriateness of the questionnaire. Using SPSS: WIN software, main strategies on faculty professional development were analyzed. Using explanatory factor analyses technique, five principal components of the underlying constructs of professional development, were extracted. Totally, the extracted factors, explained 75% of variance, including, (1) Institutional context (21.16%), (2) professional facilities (20.91%), (3) professional information seeking (13.06%), (4) professional motivation, (11.88%) and (5) professional learning (7.93%). Based on a processing of the research findings, some appropriate mechanisms were suggested in order to institutionalize professional development of faculty members.

Agricultural higher education institutions play a significant role in the development of agriculture sector. One of these roles is a conducting of related and needed basic researches by Faculty members. The purpose of this study was to explore the effective components as related with research productivity of faculty members. A descriptive- survey method with a researcher made questionnaire as the research tool, was used to gather the data. The target population of study consisted of all 1250 faculty members in agricultural colleges. A sample of 270 staffs was selected through randomized multi-stage sampling method, based on Morgan & Krejsi table (1970). The validity of research tool was verified by a panel of experts in this regard. The reliability of the questionnaire was verified through calculating the Cronbach Alpha coefficient equal to 0.81 following a conduction of a pilot study. Data was analyzed through SPSS15/Win and the explorative Factor Analysis results revealed that five components explained 71.23% of the total variance. These factors were (1) Personal qualification-interest (22.89%), (2) Vocational (14.94%), (3) Financial (14.01%), (4) Organizational (11.48%), and (5) Motivational (7.91%) respectively.

Agriculture and natural resources journals published by universities throughout Iran are among scientific publication means that publish results of research carried out by various research workers to be finally put at the disposal of those interested, as well as those who somehow are in need of them. The first Iranian journal that stepped into the publication of agricultural scientific work was "Majallehe Falahat" meaning Journal of Agriculture. It started publishing scientific work as from year 1931. Scientific work used to be published earlier too, but not in the status of being affiliated to an institute of higher education. The present research was carried out with the aim of an evaluation of the chronological evolution of journals of scientific research by Iran agricultural colleges. Being after a comparison of the evolutionary trend, followed in the publication of these journals, a survey method in the form of content analysis was employed. The research is of a kind of historical - descriptive one limited to the 72 years of 1931 - 2003. To obtain a schematic view of the journals' evolutionary trend, a chronological trend curve of frequency distribution of each and every journal was taken into account. To make an estimation of the capabilities of the under study journals, their contents of articles were classified into 15 major and a considerable number of minor topics. These were evaluated and analyzed as throughout the life span of the journal. The research means was comprised of a standardized identification framework containing the conventional scientific and publication traits practiced in scientific journals. Two thousand nine hundred and sixty one papers from 9 scientific research journals were scrutinized from a view point of content. Results indicated a more progressive evolutionary trend for the Journal of Agriculture and Natural Resources Sciences and Technologies. Nevertheless, the Journals "Iranian Journal of Agriculture" with 40 percent of scientific papers related to agriculture, and journal of "Natural Resources" with more than 63 percent of articles with content in natural resources during their life spans, are more entitled to approval, and by a greater number of authors of scientific papers.

The purpose of this study was to analyse of the adoption of sustainable agriculture technologies by paddy farmers in Haraz-catchments area of Mazandaran province. A descriptive survey research method was employed in the study. Researcher developed questionnaire as well as interviews were employed as means for data collection. The study population consisted of paddy farmers who were engaged in 84000 ha of paddy farms. Sampling was done through stratified random sampling method (n=170). Content validity of the instrument was established using a panel of experts consisting of faculty members of Tehran University's Department of Agricultural Extension and Education as well as two experienced rice specialists from the research area. The results of reliability analysis indicated a value of .85 for Cronbach Alpha. The results revealed that the respondents applied most techniques related to seed technology, but overused tillage practices and agrochemicals. Application of organic manure was at a very low level and retaining of plant residues did not appeal to most of the farmers. They believed that pest population could be increased through on implicational of this practice. Applying biological technologies for pest control was in its lowest rate, but the respondents applied mechanical and cultural pest control practices at acceptable levels. Inappropriate infrastructure was an obstacle to crop diversification and to rotational practices. There were significant relationships observed between independent variables of use of family labor, access to main road, city and rural cooperative, total rice production, contact with information sources/channels, having out of farm incomes, perception of sustainable agriculture and applying sustainable agricultural technologies. Regression analysis showed that family labor use, access to city, total rice production, perception of sustainability and access to main road were the most effective determinant of the technology (sustainability) application, respectively.

Human resources development and technology transfer are two pivotal functions of agricultural development which are attained through appropriate collaboration among researchers, extension workers and farmers. Many experts believe that lack of or weak access to relevant and needed technologies is one of the results of inappropriate or poor relationship among the three mentioned actors of AKIS. Hence, improving the compatibility of technical knowledge and methods to the conditions of beneficiaries in each region is one of the main strategies to increase production and accelerate agricultural development. In order to enhance the relationship among researchers, extension workers and farmers, three projects in the field of research findings transfer, namely research-extension projects, research- adaptation projects and field day projects, were implemented in Iran. This study was designed to investigate the effectiveness of the projects as well as factors affecting them. The statistical population of the study consisted of cooperative and non-cooperative farmers with the projects out of which 126 and 135 farmers were selected as sample, respectively. The samples were selected from the six provinces namely, Western Azarbayejan, Kerman, Hamadan, Golestan, Khuzestan and Khorasan using random sampling technique. The reliability of the study's tool was confirmed by Cronbach Alpha, being more than 0.70 for each scale of the questionnaire. The validity was also verified and that was through an expert panel judgment. The findings showed that the farmers prefer to participate in Research-extension, Field day, and Research-adaptation projects, respectively. The farmers revealed that they are inhibited by the following factors to adopt the findings of the triple projects: lack of timely access to inputs, lack of sufficient awareness of methods of applying technical advices, inefficacy of findings and advices, excess expenditures and low compatibility of advices to the farmers' conditions. A comparison between the two groups of farmers indicated that they are significantly different with respect to the number of loans received, number of contacts with extension workers and experts, participation in the extension classes and tours, their performance of irrigated and rainfed wheat, extent of knowledge about the projects and extent of the adoption of advices. The regression analysis also indicated that such variables as farmers' knowledge concerning research-extension projects, computability extent of the projects to the farmers' conditions and regional technical needs, extent of applying technical advices by farmers, number of extension tours, farmers' extension contact, number of farmers participating in extension meetings, extent of researchers' guidance's and farmers' educational level were effective in an increase in wheat yield.

In this research it was sought to examine the extension agents' perceptions towards the impacts and consequences of sustainable agriculture in 44 centers of Agricultural Jehad Organization in Kermanshah province, Iran (N=115). A sample of 75 agents was selected using stratified random sampling technique. A questionnaire was developed by researchers and it's content and face validity established by a panel of experts. Instrument reliability was estimated by calculating a Cronbach's alpha coefficient. The findings revealed that agents' perceptions toward sustainable agriculture can be summarized as: 1) Economic impacts such as development of animal husbandry, generation of income towards, villagers and citizens' benefit, 2) Environmental impacts such as reduced use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, production of safe food, protection of pastures and forests, and an improvement of the water quality, 3) Social impacts such as revival of indigenous knowledge, increased collaboration among farmers, and improvements in the villagers' quality of life.

Public extension has been criticized in recent decades because of fmancial constraints, target coverage, poor function and ineffectiveness. With this description, is it possible to present other options to minimize the public extension constraints? If ok, in what shape? One of the current options contemplated about in recent years is privatization of agricultural extension. Therefore the purpose of the study is an investigation and identification of factors that influence expert attitude regarding privatization of agricultural extension in Iran. Research method is a descriptive one, and a kind of survey whiles the research instrument being questionnaire. To validate the research instrument, the designed questionnaire was presented to supervisor, advisor and some of the other agricultural extension specialists for verification, following the necessary editing and change of some questions, the questionnaire's validity was approved. For a test of research reliability, 40 questionnaires were answered by experts of Jihad - E- Agriculture and Cronbach Alfa calculated (a=0/89). The target population for the study consisted of 125 extension experts in the Ministry of Jihad-e-Agriculture. The dependent variable was experts' attitude on the privatization of agricultural extension. The data were analyzed employing SPSS/Win 73 windows software. Research findings revealed that the experts' attitude towards a privatization of agricultural extension is fairly desirable. There is a significant and positive relationship between extension activities, educational levels of extension experts and experts' attitude towards the privatization of agricultural extension. The results of factor analysis indicated that about 77 percent of experts' attitude on the privatization of agricultural extension is determined by six factors of: economic-social, structural-financial limitations, participation, commercialization of information, technology transfer mechanism, and individuals' characteristics.

Rural farmers face many problems for getting access, to the necessary inputs and services in many developing countries, because their services' delivery system is a kind of inappropriate, inefficient and inequitable. Accordingly, the present study was conducted for a determination, analysis and prioritization of farmers' perceptions about optimum solutions for agricultural services' delivery. Farmers of Markazy district of Mianeh Township comprised the statistical population of the study (N=8318). Sample size was determined through Cochran formula which amounted to 180 farmers. A multistage sampling technique was adopted for the study and a questionnaire developed for gathering data. Validity and reliability of the study's tools were confirmed using expert panel judgment, and Cronbach Alpha coefficient, respectively. Cronbach Alpha was found equal to 0.78 which is acceptable. Analysis of farmers' perceptions indicated that they preferred the following solutions to case agricultural services' delivery : Getting highly - motivated personnel involved in the process of services' delivery to farmers; granting liberty to farmers for selecting their co-group members while forming local associations or organizations , employing enough extension workers to provide farmers with advices and guidance in accordance with their landholding size are suitable strategies in providing services to agriculture sector. Results of factor analysis indicated that four factors namely, government backing and support, developing local participation, fulfilling information and extension educational needs of farmers and systematic scientific management of agricultural services' delivery accounted for 53% of variance of optimum solutions for agricultural services' delivery.

Information technology is nowadays fast spreading throughout all aspects of our life. The purpose of this study is to investigate viewpoints of faculty members of the University College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Regarding barriers against using Information Technology. The research method used was a descriptive and correlational design with data collected through questionnaire. The study sample consisted of 70 faculty members of the University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran. Reliability and validity of the instrument were affirmed through opinions of faculty members along with an application of Cronbach's Alpha. The means comparison test revealed that there was no difference in IT usage among faculty members in various educational departments. In addition, the findings revealed that from faculty members' viewpoint, lack of knowledge and/or skill for computer use, lack of personal computers and an unadequate mastering of English language were the main barriers against adequate application of information technology.

Agricultural graduate study courses play important roles in the proper training of future educators, researchers and managers in the agriculture sector. In this regard, knowledge of the quality of education during M. Sc. Level course is of paramount importance for the betterment and improvement of their efficacies. The aim in this descriptive study was an assessment of the quality of education at master's level at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tehran as viewed from the aspects of course content, teaching methods, as well as from staffs (professor's) professional development. The study population consisted of 297 graduate students of the Faculty who at least had completed two semester courses. Sixty student from out of this population were selected through random stratified sampling for the study. The research tool consisted of a researcher made questionnaire, the validity of which was verified by a panel of experts in the field. The reliability was confirmed by obtaining a Cronbach Alpha coefficient of 0.94. Data were analyzed using SPSS/10 software. As opined by the students, the quality of lessons offered at M. Sc. Level was short of being acceptable or favorable. The findings revealed no significant correlation between the stated quality of courses offered, and such variables as student's diploma, and B. Sc. Grade point average, age and interest in the field. The results of T & F tests showed that there were no significant differences observed in the opinions of the students in the studied groups as regarded their different study majors; being a female or male student; difference in year of entering the university; being either a rural or urban citizen; or the university from which the student had obtained his B.Sc. degree.

The purpose of this research was to investigate the relationship between attitudes and skills in application of information technology; and knowledge Management of Agricultural Extension Experts. The study was a descriptive-correlational survey research. The statistical population included all Agricultural Extension Experts (N=2214) dealing with extension activities in eight regions as selected by the Ministry of Jihad-e-Agriculture based on their climate similarities. A sample of 160 extension personnel was selected by use of "multilevel stratified random sampling" method. A questionnaire was designed and employed to gather the required data. A panel of experts from the Department of Agricultural Extension and Education as well as from the college of Management verified the content validity of the questionnaire. To determine the reliability of the components of Knowledge Management, Cronbach alpha was calculated and obtained as 81%. The data were analyzed by the use of such descriptive and inferential statistics as extent of mean, frequency, standard deviation, coefficient zt of variation and correlational analysis. The findings revealed that, although the attitude of 93% of the studied population (towards Knowledge Management) was either at medium or medium to high level, the range of skills of the majority of Extension experts about application of Information Technology and components of Knowledge Management was from very low to low. It was just in application of one component of Knowledge Management i.e. file management (Professional Information), that the experts had a medium level of skill. The results also demonstrated that there was a positive significant relationship between the dependent variable of the attitude of extension experts towards Knowledge Management; and their skill in application of Information Technology as well as the sum of six components of Knowledge Management (knowledge acquisition; knowledge sharing; knowledge evaluation; creation / storing and omission of knowledge; application and distribution of Knowledge Management; and file management). Furthermore, a positive significant relationship between the dependent variable (attitude of extension experts towards Knowledge Management) and their skill in on application of the two components of file management, and knowledge evaluation (at 5% level of significance)was observed.

WUA is a kind of local social organization, established in an irrigation catchments' area to take the responsibility of managing the irrigation network. An initial investigation reveals the fact that a majority of WUAs are being faced with many challenges and problems. The present study was conducted with the main objective of investigating Jarghouyeh's WUA in managing the irrigation network of the district. The statistical population of the study consisted of 1810 farmers who were members of the mentioned WUA, out of whom 126 farmers were selected as sample while using Cochran formula for determining the sample size. The proportionate stratified random sampling technique was applied in the study. The reliability of the main scales of the study were approved as their Cronbach Alpha were all above 0.75. Factor analysis of the problems of managing irrigation network indicated that four factors viz., scarcity of water and its distribution equipment, educational problems, communication-credit problems and a lack of specific and obvious status for GOs and NGOs in managing the irrigation system explained about 64 percent of the variations of the problems. According to a prioritization the problems of WUA in the area, water scarcity and a lack of farmer's knowledge were the most important problems inhibiting the well functioning of the organization (WUA).