Decision-making
mohammad ali dadashi; Vahid Khasheii
Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 21 September 2017
Abstract
The purpose of the present research is to examine the effect of coating the tertiary irrigation canals on farmers’ satisfaction in Sowme’eh Sara, Guilan. The study was conducted using a survey research methodology. The statistical population included 14 tertiary canalized schemes in Sowme’eh ...
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The purpose of the present research is to examine the effect of coating the tertiary irrigation canals on farmers’ satisfaction in Sowme’eh Sara, Guilan. The study was conducted using a survey research methodology. The statistical population included 14 tertiary canalized schemes in Sowme’eh Sara up to the end of 2013, Including totally 2434 hectares .The share of each beneficiary was 0.7 hectare according to the extant statistics and documents in water and soil management of Agricultural Jihad Organization of Guilan. Based on Morgan and Krejcie’s Table, 340 beneficiaries were chosen by stratified random sampling. The main data collection tool was a self-made questionnaire whose face and content validity was improved and finally accepted by water and soil experts and professors. In order to determine the reliability of the research, the questionnaires were answered by 30 members of the statistical population. Afterwards, using SPSS software and Cronbach’s alpha test, the questionnaire’s sustainability was assessed and 78% was computed and confirmed. The independent variables under study were age, literacy, the number of individuals under guardianship, workload, product performance, costs, securing agricultural goals etc. and the dependent variable was farmers’ satisfaction of coating the streams. Each of the variables was categorized and assessed based on Likert Scale. The effect of each independent variable on farmers’ satisfaction was evaluated through SPSS software and Spearman’s rank correlation. The results showed that there is a semantic relationship between literacy, workload, product performance, costs and securing agricultural goals variables and farmers’ satisfaction.
Decision-making
Raha Zarei; Gholam Hossein Zamani; Hamid Karimi; Eric T. Micheels
Volume 12, Issue 1 , March 2022
Abstract
The emergence of agricultural e‐commerce can solve the challenges of agricultural marketing especially in developing countries such as Iran. The aim of this study was to extend the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) through adding the variables social influence and facilitating conditions to understand ...
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The emergence of agricultural e‐commerce can solve the challenges of agricultural marketing especially in developing countries such as Iran. The aim of this study was to extend the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) through adding the variables social influence and facilitating conditions to understand farmers’ behavioral intention towards using agricultural e-commerce. This descriptive-correlational research was conducted through a cross-sectional survey. The statistical population of the study was Jahrom citrus growers, Iran, (N=3566). The stratified random sampling method was used and 360 respondents selected in the survey. The research instrument was a structured questionnaire, who’s the research instrument was a structured questionnaire, whose face, convergent, and discriminant validity of the questionnaire were confirmed. Cronbach's alpha and composite reliability were obtained using SPSS24 and AMOS24 software, respectively to examine the reliability of research tool (0.75< α< 0.85). The results showed that the extended form of TAM constructs was significant in explaining farmers’ behavioral intention. This means that attitude, perceived usefulness, facilitating conditions, social influence and perceived ease of use explained 50.3% of the variance in behavioral intention. The hypotheses of the extended TAM constructs showed that social influence and facilitating conditions have a positive and significant effect on intention towards using agricultural e-commerce. In this context, the government and agricultural e-commerce planners need to raise the awareness of all social influence groups about the benefits of using agricultural e-commerce through all media. In addition, providing technical and educational e-commerce facilities for farmers is recommended.
Environmental policy and management
Majid Namdari; Hassan Ghasemi Mobtaker; Mousa Rasouli
Volume 11, Issue 4 , December 2021, , Pages 485-493
Abstract
Energy ratio and technical efficiency are the ways to explain the efficiency of farmers in crops production. The objective of this study was the application of non-parametric method of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to analyze the efficiency of orchards, discriminate efficient farmers from inefficient ...
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Energy ratio and technical efficiency are the ways to explain the efficiency of farmers in crops production. The objective of this study was the application of non-parametric method of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to analyze the efficiency of orchards, discriminate efficient farmers from inefficient ones and to identify wasteful uses of energy for grape production in Hamadan province, Iran. For this purpose, data were collected from 48 farmers by using a face to face questionnaire. The results revealed that the average value of technical, pure technical and scale efficiency scores of orchards were about 0.74, 0.86 and 0.84, respectively. The contribution of saving energy for chemical fertilizers was the highest and followed by diesel fuel & electricity with shares of 61.7 and 28.7 percent, respectively. The total energy savings calculated to be 14.3 percent of total input energy. Optimization of energy use improved the energy use efficiency, energy productivity and net energy by 16.8, 13.3 and 19.6 percent, respectively.
Decision-making
Mohammad Kavoosi-Kalashami; AmirAli Faridi; Hamid El Bilali
Volume 11, Issue 4 , December 2021, , Pages 495-510
Abstract
Since conventional foods can have different negative effects on human health and cause a variety of diseases, including cancer, the use of functional foods is highly recommended. In this study, the attitudinal factors affecting the acceptance of functional dairy foods (FDF) by urban consumers in Rasht ...
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Since conventional foods can have different negative effects on human health and cause a variety of diseases, including cancer, the use of functional foods is highly recommended. In this study, the attitudinal factors affecting the acceptance of functional dairy foods (FDF) by urban consumers in Rasht (Guilan province, northern Iran) were investigated. Data were obtained from 223 households in Rasht City. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to investigate the effects of the general purchasing component as well as those of benefits of FDF, need of functional dairy foods, confidence in functional dairy foods, safety of functional dairy foods, health consciousness and healthy lifestyle, and willingness to buy FDF. The results show that the components of attitude towards healthy lifestyle and the general component of purchasing were the most effective factors in determining the acceptance of FDF by the households of Rasht City. The designed model explains 79.5 percent of the variation in willingness to use FDF. Given the benefits of consuming these products in preventing diseases and reducing health costs, public investments in awareness raising campaigns are needed to promote healthy lifestyle among urban consumers and increase the acceptance of FDF in Iran.
Environmental policy and management
Amir Hossein Pirmoradi; Farahnaz Rostami; Abdollhamid Papzan
Volume 11, Issue 1 , March 2021, , Pages 117-135
Abstract
Agricultural production decision-making is becoming more complicated due to the inherent complexity of the interaction between natural and human processes as the heart of agricultural systems. Predicting the behavior of agricultural systems is critically important for sustainability issues. Since agriculture ...
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Agricultural production decision-making is becoming more complicated due to the inherent complexity of the interaction between natural and human processes as the heart of agricultural systems. Predicting the behavior of agricultural systems is critically important for sustainability issues. Since agriculture is a human activity that is dependent on its main actors, farmers’ behavior needs to be investigated in terms of the extent to which their activities are consistent with sustainable agriculture initiatives. This study is based on the documentary research method conducted by a systematic literature review. The main goal was to review and analyze pro-environmental behavior theories in terms of their strengths and weaknesses during the time period of 1975-2016. The strengths and weaknesses of each theory were described after the introduction of each theory. On the other hand, a comparison of the theories based on seven indicators is presented too. About 14 theories were reviewed to reach agent-based theories of decision-making, in which feedback is provided on the system. Based on the results, the agent-based integrated theories are diagnosed to be the most suitable and comprehensive for the study and prediction of farmers’ behaviors among the studied theories.
Family and social enterprise
Habibollah Rezadoost; Alireza Estelaji; Majid Vali Shariat Panahi
Volume 10, Issue 4 , December 2020, , Pages 323-332
Abstract
The present descriptive survey aims to analyze sustainable rural livelihood in Langarud County of Guilan province, Iran. The statistical population was composed of all rural people in this county (N=37904). Convenience sampling used to determine sample size (n=180). They were selected by proportionally ...
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The present descriptive survey aims to analyze sustainable rural livelihood in Langarud County of Guilan province, Iran. The statistical population was composed of all rural people in this county (N=37904). Convenience sampling used to determine sample size (n=180). They were selected by proportionally allocated random sampling method. The research instrument was a self-designed questionnaire whose face and content validity was confirmed by a panel of experts. The reliability of the questionnaire was estimated by Cronbach’s alpha to be 0.76, implying its reliability. Results showed that among five capitals of sustainable livelihood, social, human, physical, natural and financial capitals were ranked from the first to fifth, respectively. Accordingly, rural people were in the best condition in terms of social capital compared to other capitals. Concerning the level of sustainable livelihood capitals, it is recommended that rural development policies should spur livelihood diversification as a core strategy. In addition, attempts should be made to enhance rural people’s awareness of what they have and to change their attitude towards what they feel in their life and/or they see in nature.
Decision-making
Mehdi Nooripoor; Zeinab Sharifi
Volume 10, Issue 4 , December 2020, , Pages 347-359
Abstract
The qualitative expansion of the higher education system, regardless of quality development, will have inappropriate outcomes. Therefore, the present study was conducted to assess the quality of academic services at Yasouj University using the SERVQUAL model. The statistical population consisted of 508 ...
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The qualitative expansion of the higher education system, regardless of quality development, will have inappropriate outcomes. Therefore, the present study was conducted to assess the quality of academic services at Yasouj University using the SERVQUAL model. The statistical population consisted of 508 senior undergraduates at Yasouj University in 2018-2019. According to the Krejcie and Morgan formula, 220 individuals were selected as the sample through stratified random sampling in terms of their field of study. Data were collected through a two-part questionnaire including students' perceptions and expectations about the quality of educational, research, and welfare services. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by using the opinions of the relevant field experts after revising, and its reliability was estimated by calculating the Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. The results showed that students had the lowest and highest satisfaction with the current status in terms of welfare services and educational services, respectively. Also, the greatest service gap was in welfare, research, and educational services, respectively. The results of the means comparison test revealed that the students' expectations of educational, research, and welfare services were significantly higher than their perceptions. Therefore, better provision of educational, research, and welfare services should be taken into consideration by the relevant authorities.
Decision-making
Zeynab Latifi; Hossein Shabanali Fami
Volume 10, Issue 4 , December 2020, , Pages 383-399
Abstract
Khuzestan Province, especially Karun County, is one of the main pillars of date production in Iran. According to the limitations of date palm production in this county, optimal production management, and the efficient use of production inputs are required. The main goal of this study was to calculate ...
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Khuzestan Province, especially Karun County, is one of the main pillars of date production in Iran. According to the limitations of date palm production in this county, optimal production management, and the efficient use of production inputs are required. The main goal of this study was to calculate the technical efficiency of date palm cultivators’ management in the whole Karun, as well as the cities in this County including four cities, using a non-parametric approach such as the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) method. 200 date palm cultivators were selected as samples across the region, 50 date palm cultivators from each city in April 2017 till February 2018. The results showed that Rabie and Shirin-Shahr cities have the most efficient and non-efficient date palm cultivators’ management, respectively. The average efficiency under constant returns to scale assumption was 100 percent, the variable returns to scale input-oriented and output-oriented in Rabie city were 100 and 100 percent, and in Shirin-Shahr city, the average efficiency under constant returns to scale was 97.56 percent, the variable returns to scale input-oriented and output-oriented were 98.69 and 98.04 percent, respectively. In Karun County, the average efficiency under constant returns to scale was 96.62 percent, the variable returns to scale input-oriented and output-oriented efficiencies were 98.66 and 97.57 percent, respectively. In this region, cultivators’ management efficiency can be increased by increasing the awareness and skills of date palm cultivators and educating them in terms of optimal use of inputs.
Decision-making
Latif Haji; Hamid Karimi; Naser Valizadeh
Volume 10, Issue 3 , September 2020, , Pages 243-256
Abstract
Job performance is considered one of the most important criteria for developing and measuring the performance of organizations such as the Agricultural Jihad Organization (AJO). The main purpose of the present study was to study the effects of leadership styles on job performance through the mediating ...
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Job performance is considered one of the most important criteria for developing and measuring the performance of organizations such as the Agricultural Jihad Organization (AJO). The main purpose of the present study was to study the effects of leadership styles on job performance through the mediating role of psychological empowerment. The statistical population was composed of the experts of AJO in Kerman province (N=1418). The sample size was estimated to be 306 experts according to Krejcie and Morgan’s sampling table. The stratified random sampling method was used to select the samples. The research instrument was a questionnaire whose validity was confirmed by a panel of experts in the field of agricultural extension, education, and management. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was employed to examine the reliability of the constructs (0.76≤α≤0.93). The results revealed that the psychological empowerment and the transformational, transactional, and laissez-faire leadership styles had significant effects on job performance. The transformational and transactional leadership styles also had positive and significant effects on psychological empowerment. On the other hand, the laissez-faire leadership style had a negative and significant effect on psychological empowerment. In the end, it should be noted that the independent variables could account for 63 percent of the variance in job performance.
Decision-making
Masoud Ahmadinejad
Volume 9, Issue 4 , December 2019, , Pages 319-330
Abstract
The purpose of this research was to identify the factors affecting research practices development (RPD) regarding entrepreneurship in agricultural higher education, case study Islamic Azad University, Khouzestan Province, Iran. Faculty members in Islamic Azad University, Khouzestan Province were ...
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The purpose of this research was to identify the factors affecting research practices development (RPD) regarding entrepreneurship in agricultural higher education, case study Islamic Azad University, Khouzestan Province, Iran. Faculty members in Islamic Azad University, Khouzestan Province were considered as statistical population. The sample size based on Cochran formula was determined (n=210). Stratified random sampling was used to select faculty members. A researcher-made questionnaire was employed for data collection. Its validity was confirmed by content validity and its total reliability was estimated by Cronbach's alpha as to be 0.81. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics to describe RPD performance regarding entrepreneurship in agricultural higher education and inferential statistics to analyzing factors affecting on RDP. The results of the factor analysis showed that four factors such as encouraging researchers to research in entrepreneurship (MF1), institutionalization of entrepreneurship in academic research (MF2), establishing proper communication between the university and industry (SF) and creating the necessary rules and infrastructure for the commercialization of knowledge regarding entrepreneurship (LF) were identified as factors affecting the research practices development (RPD) regarding entrepreneurship in agricultural higher education which explained 62.55% of the total variance altogether. The result of the structural equation modeling (SEM) revealed that, it can be seen that the predictive positive effect of MF1 to RDP is supported (β=0.38, t-value=4.86, p<0.001). In addition, MF2 has a positive effect on RDP (β=0.39, t-value=5.08, p<0.001). Also the LF has a positive effect on RDP (β=0.31, t-value=4.05, p<0.001). MF2, SF and LF also have a significant impact on MF1. The findings showed that R2 for RDP was 0.53. So that, these four construct (MF1, MF2, SF and LF) determinants accounts for 62% of the variance in the RDP.
Decision-making
Mohammad Reza Azadedel; Mahnaz Shokri
Volume 9, Issue 3 , September 2019, , Pages 273-283
Abstract
One of the most important factors for successful implementation of activities, maintaining status and keeping balance in an organization is human resources. The present study aims to analyze the role of informal internal staffing as a mediator in explaining the attitudes of the employees of the Agriculture ...
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One of the most important factors for successful implementation of activities, maintaining status and keeping balance in an organization is human resources. The present study aims to analyze the role of informal internal staffing as a mediator in explaining the attitudes of the employees of the Agriculture Jihad Organization (AJO) of Guilan Province through the commitment of management to internal marketing. The target population of the study was composed of the employees of AJO. Simple random sampling approach was applied for choosing subjects. To test the hypotheses, structural equation modeling (SEM) and Smart PLS software were used. The results showed that due to the low commitment of management to internal marketing in the statistical society, informal relationships were hard to form between employees and management and the positive attitude toward work was at a low level. This becomes more important when the hypothesis is confirmed, but the severity of the coefficients indicates the moderate relationship between the main variables of the research.
Decision-making
Olaoluwa Ayodeji Adebayo
Volume 9, Issue 2 , June 2019, , Pages 77-88
Abstract
Group dynamics features are important factors for improving farmers’ socio-economic status. This study focused on the effect of group dynamics features on the socio-economic status of cocoa farmers in Ogun State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 93 cocoa farmers for ...
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Group dynamics features are important factors for improving farmers’ socio-economic status. This study focused on the effect of group dynamics features on the socio-economic status of cocoa farmers in Ogun State, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 93 cocoa farmers for the study. Descriptive statistics and linear regression were used to analyze the data. Results showed that the mean monetary value of their material possessions, income generated from the cocoa producer per production cycle per year and other agricultural production activities were 9,819,796.60 Naira, 2,693,900 Naira and 1,887,400 Naira respectively. Majority (51.7%) of the cocoa farmers are of moderate socioeconomic status (M=4,800,365.53 Naira). Results showed that the group dynamics features of the cocoa farmers are high in group cohesion (M=31.04) and leadership dynamism (M=25.75) while it is low in group attitude and behavior (M=23.09), discipline, trust and accountability (M=17.76) and group rapport (M=14.47). The results of linear regression revealed that farming experience (β=0.301) and educational level (β=0.561) significantly (p< 0.01) increased the socio-economic status of the cocoa farmers. The study concluded that personal characteristics can influence cocoa farmers’ socio-economic status and their group dynamics features. The study recommended that cocoa farmers’ personal characteristics (educational level and farming experience) should be improved through intervention programs, training and sensitization as this will translate into better-quality group dynamics features thereby enhancing their socio-economic status.
Decision-making
Sahar Dehyouri
Volume 9, Issue 2 , June 2019, , Pages 89-106
Abstract
Rural areas have always played a significant role in the global economy by providing a variety of foods and raw materials. This role is much more prominent in developing countries. Rural development is also an important part of regional policies, covering agriculture, forestry, natural resource management, ...
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Rural areas have always played a significant role in the global economy by providing a variety of foods and raw materials. This role is much more prominent in developing countries. Rural development is also an important part of regional policies, covering agriculture, forestry, natural resource management, land use, and economic diversity in these areas. The present study focused on investigating rural development in rural areas of Islamshar County, Iran. Given the lack of productivity in this region and the fact that this county is so close to two metropolitan cities of Karaj and Tehran, it is necessary to examine the level of development of the villages in this county. Among various methods of ranking, the credit and point of rural development in this research were measured by AHP-based TOPSIS, factor analysis, and scale gram methods. Categorization by TOPSIS and factor analysis revealed close results considering 27 criteria for the evaluation of choices. Scale gram analysis generally confirmed these results. Also, the overall results show that the economic factor derived from the factor analysis method and the agricultural factor derived from the AHP method were acceptable. According to the viewpoint of the research population, many of the rural areas in the studied county were categorized in "deprived" group.
Decision-making
Zahra Tavakoli; Sedigheh Nabieian; Mohammadreza Zare Mehrjerdi; Seyed Abdolmajid Jalaei
Volume 9, Issue 2 , June 2019, , Pages 135-147
Abstract
Economic theories show that the direction and magnitude of the fluctuations of economic variables depend on the type and magnitude of the shocks they are faced with. Various reasons are noted for fluctuations in demands for imports, including productivity shocks. Accordingly, this research was aimed ...
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Economic theories show that the direction and magnitude of the fluctuations of economic variables depend on the type and magnitude of the shocks they are faced with. Various reasons are noted for fluctuations in demands for imports, including productivity shocks. Accordingly, this research was aimed at identifying the effects of Total Factor Productivity (TFP) shocks of the agricultural sector on the demand for agricultural imports during the period 1982-2014. These shocks were divided by the Blanchard-Quah technique into two groups: permanent and temporary. Then, the effects of shocks on agricultural imports were studied by the Structural Vector Auto Regression (SVAR) Method. The results showed that, in the short and longrun, temporary and permanent TFP shocks of the agricultural sector have had a significant effect on the demand for agricultural imports, and the effect of temporary shocks was stronger than the effect of permanent ones. Therefore, if the policymakers seek to reduce the demand for agricultural imports, the agricultural TFP must continuously be incremented.
Decision-making
Mehrnoosh Mirzaei; Saeid Yazdani; Mohammad Reza Nazari; Abolfazl Mahmoodi; Gholamreza Yavari; Mohsen Shokatfadaei
Volume 9, Issue 1 , March 2019, , Pages 55-65
Abstract
With the widening of the gap in water supply and demand in recent years and the schemes of the Ministry of Energy to restore and balance underground tables, the agricultural sector is projected to be under increasing pressure due to the rationing programs and the allocation of water resources to other ...
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With the widening of the gap in water supply and demand in recent years and the schemes of the Ministry of Energy to restore and balance underground tables, the agricultural sector is projected to be under increasing pressure due to the rationing programs and the allocation of water resources to other sectors with higher economic efficiency in water use. We explored the economic impacts of non-pricing policy of limiting water supply and the policies of water pricing, taxing, and subsidization as per each m3 water use over or below the average gross requirement of the planting pattern on the components of the agricultural sector in Qazvin Province using the data and statistics for the 2013-2014 growing season and the expansion of positive mathematical programming model with the maximum entropy approach. The results showed that the non-pricing policy of 50% limitation of water supply would have the highest economic return per m3 water use. It is estimated to be 0.23$. The highest reduction of chemical fertilizer use would be accomplished in the scenario of 50% limitation of water availability and the integrated scenario of 30% water availability limitation + 50% higher price for water. According to the comparison of employment per unit area vis-à-vis the reference year under different scenarios, the scenario of 50% limitation of water supply (20% increase per ha versus the reference year) would be the best for employment creation followed by the integrated scenario of 30% limitation of water availability. Since the non-pricing policy of limiting water availability would be more effective than the pricing policies in improving water use status and changing planting pattern, it is recommended to apply a combination of these policies in the studied region.
Decision-making
Somayeh Shirzadi Laskookalayeh; Reza Esfanjari Kenari
Volume 8, Issue 4 , November 2018, , Pages 465-474
Abstract
Frequent droughts and their consequences result in the loss of groundwater, the deficiency of nutrients, the drying of surface water resources, and substantially more exploitation of the groundwater resources, which, altogether, cause the mobilization of saline waters to groundwater tables. This will ...
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Frequent droughts and their consequences result in the loss of groundwater, the deficiency of nutrients, the drying of surface water resources, and substantially more exploitation of the groundwater resources, which, altogether, cause the mobilization of saline waters to groundwater tables. This will impair the capacity of the aquifers and the quality of the water. The VIKOR method was applied to determine the best feasible solution according to the selected criteria including the local rainfall status in different years, soil permeability, land slope, and water quality indicators, including SAR, RSC, salinity for determination of groundwater resources quality and land-use restrictions in the Kashmar Plain in the northeast of Iran. The results of sampling performed on the Kashmar Plain showed that water quality was lost as one moved from the northern groundwater tables to the southern ones. The excessive use of groundwater resources, the downfall of the groundwater level, and subsequently, the increased salinity account for the loss of the agricultural water quality and the land-use restrictions. Furthermore, the results of the model within years 2010 and 2014 showed that if the current form of indiscriminate exploitation of groundwater resources is kept, it will lead to the mobilization of the salinity to the lowly-saline upstream regions. Therefore, it is necessary to focus on sustainable management of groundwater resources, control their indiscriminate exploitation, and minimize the damage to the groundwater tables in the study site. In addition, agronomists should work on limiting the use of agricultural land by modifying the cropping pattern and on using deficit-irrigation methods.
Decision-making
Mostafa Mardani; Saman Ziaei; Alireza Nikouei
Volume 8, Issue 3 , September 2018, , Pages 365-375
Abstract
Sustainability in agricultural is determined by aspects like economy, society and environment. Multi-objective programming (MOP) model has been a widely used tool for studying and analyzing the sustainability of agricultural system. However, optimization models in most applications are forced to use ...
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Sustainability in agricultural is determined by aspects like economy, society and environment. Multi-objective programming (MOP) model has been a widely used tool for studying and analyzing the sustainability of agricultural system. However, optimization models in most applications are forced to use data which is uncertain. Recently, robust optimization has been used as an optimization model that incorporates uncertainty. This paper develops a framework for environmental-economic decision making that includes the environmental and economic sustainability criteria for determining an optimal allocation of agricultural areas that cover an irrigation network under uncertain data. The primary uncertain parameter of the robust model was quantity of available water for each season. Application of the proposed model to the case study of the right side of Nekooabad irrigation network in the province of Isfahan, Iran, demonstrates the reliability and flexibility of the model. The results show that that the optimal total gross margin decreases with higher robustness levels. To compensate loss of gross margin of farmers in the robust pattern, efficiency enhancement policies emphasized.
Decision-making
Zeinab Moinoddini; Hamid Mohammadi; Hosein Mehrabi Boshrabadi
Volume 8, Issue 3 , September 2018, , Pages 433-439
Abstract
The economy of Iran is dependent on many variables that play a role in its growth and development. On the other hand, rainfall is one of the important factors of climate change that has affected economic strategic programs including those of the agricultural sector. Rainfall variations ...
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The economy of Iran is dependent on many variables that play a role in its growth and development. On the other hand, rainfall is one of the important factors of climate change that has affected economic strategic programs including those of the agricultural sector. Rainfall variations impact many economic variables, some of which are explored here. The aim of this study was to evaluate rainfall shocks on some economic variables using a general equilibrium model that included the best scenario representing the highest rainfall, the worst scenario representing the lowest rainfall, and normal scenario considering average rainfall. To check the effect of these changes on the agricultural sector, a set of commodities produced by this section is considered separately, and other sections are considered in general. The results showed that the production of these commodities has been increased by about 14% in the best rainfall scenario. All commodities have been faced with reduced consumption from 0.3% to 10.3% in the worst rainfall scenario; this was the greatest loss of products related to the agricultural commodities. Rainfall increased the price of all commodities by 0.25-28.7%, except for industry. Both private and public investments were influenced by rainfall change.
Decision-making
Simin Dokht Ghasemian; Gholamreza Yavari; Vahid Majed; Abolfazl Mahmodi; Abolfazl Javadian
Volume 8, Issue 1 , March 2018, , Pages 47-63
Abstract
Citrus production has a great importance and position in Iran. The growth and sustainability of the agriculture sector is impossible without appropriate and effective risk identification and management. In this study, the main risks of citrus gardens were identified based on the Delphi method through ...
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Citrus production has a great importance and position in Iran. The growth and sustainability of the agriculture sector is impossible without appropriate and effective risk identification and management. In this study, the main risks of citrus gardens were identified based on the Delphi method through questionnaires completed by 16 experts. Then, using the TOPSIS technique, the risks involved in the horticultural industry of Mazandaran Province were prioritized during 2010-2016 and the most important risk of Mazandaran gardens was selected based on the Shannon unweighted entropy matrix. The results showed that the most important horticultural risks were related to the risks of pests and diseases, price, damage, and production, respectively. In addition, the lowest risks were related to technical, labor and credit risks, respectively. Therefore, the results indicated the significant influence of the risks of pests and diseases, price and loss in horticulture. Among the risks of pests and diseases, mealy bugs, red mites and aphids with 76, 73 and 70 percent, respectively, were of the highest risk and risks arising from financing, purchasing the product and the damage caused by drip irrigation and emitters were of the lowest risk. The risk exposure represented that risk management should be considered in these fields. In this regard, it is essential to make major reforms in risk management areas involved in orchards. Thus, the planners and policymakers must consider this issue.
Decision-making
Mohammad Abdi Seyyedkolaee; Amir Mansour Tehranchian; Ahmad Jafari Samimi; Seyyed Mojtaba Mojaverian
Volume 7, Issue 4 , December 2017, , Pages 407-413
Abstract
Since some raw materials, semi manufactured, intermediate and capital goods in agricultural sector are imported, the exchange rate fluctuations can affect the cost price of products in this sector. Recently, we are facing considerable fluctuations in exchange rate that has an important impact on all ...
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Since some raw materials, semi manufactured, intermediate and capital goods in agricultural sector are imported, the exchange rate fluctuations can affect the cost price of products in this sector. Recently, we are facing considerable fluctuations in exchange rate that has an important impact on all sectors including the agriculture. As a result of an increase in import prices in agricultural raw materials, the exchange rate fluctuates. In other words, this relationship is strengthened by lower domestic supply due to the stimulation of the exports of agricultural products induced by an increase in exchange rate. The present study deals with the impact of exchange rate fluctuations on agricultural price index in Iran using MGARCH method. The results show that the past shocks of exchange rate have a positive impact on agriculture price index at the 1% significance level. Moreover, despite the fact that the current fluctuations of agriculture price index do not relate to its past fluctuations, the past fluctuations of exchange rate have a positive impact on current fluctuations of exchange rate.
Decision-making
Emmanuella Ellis
Volume 7, Issue 4 , December 2017, , Pages 447-463
Abstract
Crop insurance is a risk management tool with the potential of dealing with risk more efficiently, the study uses a dichotomous contingent valuation method to elicit the willingness to pay for crop insurance among cereal farmers in the Eastern region of Ghana. The study employed descriptive statistical ...
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Crop insurance is a risk management tool with the potential of dealing with risk more efficiently, the study uses a dichotomous contingent valuation method to elicit the willingness to pay for crop insurance among cereal farmers in the Eastern region of Ghana. The study employed descriptive statistical techniques to analyse primary data obtained from 208 sampled farmers in the region. Approximately, 52.9% of the farmers expressed interest in crop insurance. A Heckman two stage approach was employed to estimate the factors influencing the WTP for crop insurance. The results revealed that farmers were willing to pay approximately GHc 69.6 per cropping season. The demand for insurance was found to be negatively correlated with the premium amounts suggesting that it is a normal good. The Probit model revealed that marital status, education, borrowing, and awareness of crop insurance influenced farmers willingness to purchase insurance. Farmers WTP amount estimated with the interval regression model was shown to be influenced by key variables such as age, crop type, farm size, farm experience, income, weather variation, savings and access to extension agents. Innovative insurance products and the appropriate distribution channels are also recommended to incite demand for crop insurance.
Decision-making
Narges Delafrooz; Sina Siavash Moghaddam
Volume 7, Issue 3 , September 2017, , Pages 347-356
Abstract
This study aims to segment the market based on demographical, psychological, and behavioral variables, and seeks to investigate their relationship with green consumer behavior. In this research, self-organizing maps are used to segment and to determine the features of green consumer behavior. This was ...
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This study aims to segment the market based on demographical, psychological, and behavioral variables, and seeks to investigate their relationship with green consumer behavior. In this research, self-organizing maps are used to segment and to determine the features of green consumer behavior. This was a survey type of research study in which eight variables were selected from the demographical, psychological, and behavioral dimensions. Data were gathered through researcher-made questionnaire and distributing it among the statistical population (Supermarket Chains in Rasht city). The sample size was 392. The result showed that among the demographical variables, age, sex, and education had a direct contribution with green consumer behavior, whereas income had an adverse relationship with that. Psychological and behavioral variables including personal values, religiosity, environmental knowledge and attitudes, and personal habits are key predictors of green consumer behavior. The results identified four segments, which were called intense greens, potential greens, selfish darks, and intense darks. Green product marketers and producers can determine the target market using the results and employ an appropriate combined marketing strategy for consumers' based on their respective features.
Decision-making
Mohsen Shafieyan Estahbanati; Mehdi Homayounfar; Mehdi Fadaei
Volume 7, Issue 2 , June 2017, , Pages 141-153
Abstract
Sustainable development is one of the most important issues that can be considered from different aspects and in different contexts including sustainable agriculture. This study aimed to investigate the main strategies related to sustainable development of rice production as an important agricultural ...
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Sustainable development is one of the most important issues that can be considered from different aspects and in different contexts including sustainable agriculture. This study aimed to investigate the main strategies related to sustainable development of rice production as an important agricultural product in Guilan Province using a SWOT analysis. To this end, different internal (strengths and weaknesses) and external (opportunities and threats) factors affecting rice production development were reviewed in the literature. Next, a questionnaire was designed based on the potential opportunities, threats, strengths and weaknesses in the literature and the initial interview of the experts; then, the experts were asked to determine the importance of factors on a five-point Likert type scale. The results showed that the rice production received the total scores of 2.14 and 2.24 for the External Factor Evaluation (EFE) matrix and the Internal Factor Evaluation (IFE) matrix, respectively, indicating the ineffectiveness of the industry’s strategies. These scores mapped the position of rice production in Guilan Province. Finally, a number of strategies for sustainable development of rice crop were outlined in order to reduce the weaknesses, avoid the threats, improve the strengths, and grasp the opportunities for the rice production of Guilan Province.
Environmental policy and management
Ehsan Gholifar; Enayat Abbasi; Gholamreza Pezeshki Rad; Hassan Salehi; Abdolmotalleb Rezaei
Volume 7, Issue 2 , June 2017, , Pages 191-199
Abstract
The present study was conducted to examine the development and validation of sustainable indicators related to aquaculture as a social-ecological system. By reviewing the literature, it was found about 148 indicators related to sustainable aquaculture in economic (market-oriented and responsive aquaculture, ...
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The present study was conducted to examine the development and validation of sustainable indicators related to aquaculture as a social-ecological system. By reviewing the literature, it was found about 148 indicators related to sustainable aquaculture in economic (market-oriented and responsive aquaculture, capability of risk assessment and crisis management, and financial management in aquaculture), social (participation in food security and healthy food, the role of producer and non-governmental organizations, improving the image of aquaculture, and social responsibility), environment (minimizing the impacts of aquaculture at the national level, minimizing the impacts on the environmental conditions, and biodiversity), and institutional (local development and participation in decision-making) components. The extracted components were used in the form of a questionnaire with a five-point Likert type scale according to six criteria. Questionnaires were distributed among aquaculture experts in Alborz Dam Basin in Mazandaran Province, where 32 questionnaires were returned. Research results include ranking indicators based on a total of six criteria mentioned in methodology, and ranking components, as well as their associated indicators related to sustainable aquaculture using AHP. The findings further suggested that economic and environmental aspects also were placed as the first and second ranks among 10 sustainable aquaculture indicators. Accordingly, it is highly recommended that the agencies related to the country's aquaculture development paid attention to these identified dimensions and used them in their planning.
Decision-making
Seyyed Ali Noorhosseini; Esmaeil Fallahi; Sepideh Gholinezhad
Volume 7, Issue 1 , March 2017, , Pages 1-14
Abstract
Aimed at identifying and prioritizing promoters and deterrent affecting seed production of medicinal plants, the present study was conducted in 2014. The Delphi method was conducted using a panel of 13 experts in Guilan Natural Resources and Agriculture Organization. In the first round of the study, ...
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Aimed at identifying and prioritizing promoters and deterrent affecting seed production of medicinal plants, the present study was conducted in 2014. The Delphi method was conducted using a panel of 13 experts in Guilan Natural Resources and Agriculture Organization. In the first round of the study, multiple-response techniques were used for content analysis. Based on the results of the first round, the second round questionnaire was featuring a Likert type scale that was then filled out by the first round respondents. Next, by comparing the conventional techniques, data were analyzed for investigation. The use of ranking techniques led largely to the same results or results with slight differences. The study recommends devoting due attention to the technical and environmental conditions such as proper storage, to avoid the wasteful harvesting of seeds at risk, and to provide favorable conditions for the domestication of medicinal plants. In addition,, the role of research, training, and information dissemination of the economic benefits would receive high importance. Furthermore, designing and implementing a legal monitoring mechanism and an active and comprehensive policy making process, as well as providing facilities and equipment necessary for the preparation, cultivation, and harvest of seeds by decision-making, executive institutions, and organizations would notably be effective to tackle the present challenges.
