Education and training
Mohsen Mohammadi; Mohammad Sadegh Sabouri; Seyed Sadjad Seyed Sabouri
Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 01 January 2017
Abstract
This paper aims at studying the role of agricultural education and extension methods on the use of renewable energy by farmers in Semnan Province. The research was a practical study in terms of goal and was a descriptive-correlation study in terms of methodology. The population of the study was composed ...
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This paper aims at studying the role of agricultural education and extension methods on the use of renewable energy by farmers in Semnan Province. The research was a practical study in terms of goal and was a descriptive-correlation study in terms of methodology. The population of the study was composed of Semnan Province poultry farmers that used any type of renewable energy. In total, 89 people were analyzed. Data collection tool was questionnaire (composed of 29 main questions and 108 minor questions in a Likert scale). The questionnaire was designed after consultations with university professors and research literature. The validity of the questionnaire was measured in terms of the form and content and its reliability was tested with Cronbach's alpha which ranged from 0.801 to 0.925. It was found that there was a strong significant relationship (r = 0.773) between education and extension methods (participation in the extension and educational courses, visits to farms using solar power, holding workshops on agricultural extension centers, experts’ visiting of poultry, watching videos of farms that use solar energy, production and distribution of educational brochures among farmers, designing related programs at universities, watching videos of the construction of solar power farms, broadcasting radio programs and educational broadcasting from local TV channels) and the use of solar energy by farmers. Based on the farmer’s view, participation in the extension and educational courses was the main source for obtaining the needed information. Also according to stepwise regression, 78.5% of the change in the dependent variable was explained by the variables of “visiting farms using solar power”, “participation in the extension and educational courses”, “production and distribution of educational brochures among farmers”, “holding workshops on agricultural extension centers” and “experts’ visiting of poultry”.
Farm Management
Mohammad Sadegh Sabouri; Siavash Noori; Mostafa Karbasioun
Volume 6, Issue 4 , Autumn 2016, , Pages 525-530
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the peripheral factors on reducing the consequences of the targeted subsidies from the view point of greenhouse owners of Semnan Province, Iran. The population of the study comprised greenhouse owners of Semnan Province. The sample size was calculated using ...
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The purpose of this study was to investigate the peripheral factors on reducing the consequences of the targeted subsidies from the view point of greenhouse owners of Semnan Province, Iran. The population of the study comprised greenhouse owners of Semnan Province. The sample size was calculated using Cochran formula and encompassed a number of 287 greenhouse owners. The main research tool used in this study was a questionnaire. SPSS v21was used to analyze the data obtained through the questionnaires. Based on hypotheses and theories, questions were designed, and after testing validity and reliability (based on the dependent variable Cronbach's alpha was calculated equal with 87.8) indices, modifications were performed. To examine the hypotheses of this research, the correlation coefficient was estimated, and a multiple regressions analysis was run. The results showed that current expenses, using the proper structures for constructing greenhouse, method of fuel use, the perfect place of heaters, and the use of skilled workers in the greenhouse had a key role in reducing the impact of targeted subsidies plan (dependent variable) on greenhouse owners. These variables explained 40.2 per cent of the variance in the dependent variable.
Farm Structures
Farhad Lashgarara; Alireza Torabi; Maryam Omidi Najafabadi
Volume 6, Issue 4 , Autumn 2016, , Pages 531-540
Abstract
Small and medium enterprises play a significant role in economic and industrial development in the developed and developing countries. The main purpose of the study was to investigate the key factors in the effective of growth enterprises. The statistical population of this study according to assessment ...
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Small and medium enterprises play a significant role in economic and industrial development in the developed and developing countries. The main purpose of the study was to investigate the key factors in the effective of growth enterprises. The statistical population of this study according to assessment of Agri-Bank of the Semnan Province includes the managers of enterprises in agricultural sector of Semnan Province who were evaluated as successful enterprises (1932 agricultural units). For determining the sample 125 persons were selected by using Cochran’s formula through stratified random sampling. The main tool for collecting data was questionnaire. The results indicated that 6.4% of agricultural growth enterprises were fully successful, 79.2% were successful, and 13.6% were rather successful. According to the results, there was a significant difference between the achievement levels of growth enterprises in different educational groups with confidence level of 95%. In addition, regression analysis showed that seven variables of initial capital, current production value, years of activity, number of personnel, firm size, investment amount, and business history altogether explained 47.7% of variance in the growth enterprises.
