Environmental policy and management
ali Sardar Shahraki; Somayeh Emami
Articles in Press, In Progress, Available Online from 11 August 2019
Abstract
Water scarcity, especially in Iran and during the recent droughts, emphasizes the importance of achieving an optimal operation policy for large dam reservoirs. In the last two decades, the annual optimization of dam reservoirs under the controlled conditions, as well as climatic and real conditions has ...
Read More
Water scarcity, especially in Iran and during the recent droughts, emphasizes the importance of achieving an optimal operation policy for large dam reservoirs. In the last two decades, the annual optimization of dam reservoirs under the controlled conditions, as well as climatic and real conditions has attracted many researchers and engineers. In this paper, a new approach is proposed to predict the reservoir dam storage. The imperialist competitive algorithm (ICA) is a new approach in the field of evolutionary computation which calculates the optimal solution in different optimization problems. This algorithm, by mathematical modeling of the social-psychological evolution process, provides a new approach for solving mathematical optimization problems, and in comparison with other algorithms, has appropriate speed and high convergence rate in finding an optimal response. In this research, the imperialist competitive algorithm was used for annual optimization of the Kahir reservoir to derive the optimal policies. Objective function downstream water issue needs to establish relationships based on continuity were selected. Comparison of ICA model in population 100 showed that the ICA algorithm with average best objective function value of 125, 114.6 and 85.60 with a number of further evaluations of the objective function to achieve higher capacity is the optimum answer. The results showed a 6.1% error in the implementation of the ICA algorithm between the observed and predicted storages. The results of applying the imperialist competitive algorithm to the annual optimization problem indicate the capability of the proposed method.
Environmental policy and management
Mojgan Khoshmaram; Nematollah Shiri; Moslem Savari
Volume 9, Issue 4 , Autumn 2019, , Pages 307-318
Abstract
Climate change is one of the most important challenges of the current century, affecting agriculture more than other ones, an entrepreneur farmer perceives environmental challenges and changes as an opportunity. In this regard, this study aims to analyze the effects of climate change dimensions on Entrepreneurial ...
Read More
Climate change is one of the most important challenges of the current century, affecting agriculture more than other ones, an entrepreneur farmer perceives environmental challenges and changes as an opportunity. In this regard, this study aims to analyze the effects of climate change dimensions on Entrepreneurial Opportunities Recognition(EOR) intheagricultural sector of Kermanshah Province, Iran. The statistical population of the study included all entrepreneurs of the agricultural sector in Kermanshah Province, with 102 of them being selected through a simple randomization method. A researcher-made questionnaire was used as the main tool of data collection whose validity and reliability were confirmed by a panel of experts and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient and Kuder and Richardson formulas. The findings indicated that respondents had correctly and successfully identified existing entrepreneurial opportunities in the agricultural sector since they examined the proportion and desirability of these opportunities at a high level of possibility. Results also showed that more than half of the respondents perceived climate changes at a high level and took them into account for initiating their business. According to the results of regression analysis, climate changes dimensions (drought, dust, and temperature rise) account for 41% of variance changes in EOR in the agricultural sector of Kermanshah Province. Our findings have implications to help policymakers, planners, and managers in improving entrepreneurial opportunities and recognizing farmers’ capability.
Environmental policy and management
Maryam Ziaabadi; Mohammadreza Zare Mehrjerdi
Volume 9, Issue 4 , Autumn 2019, , Pages 293-305
Abstract
Given the unlimited needs of mankind and the limited resources available, human beings have always been thinking about how to use the available resources and facilities optimally. Energy plays an important role in economic activities and it is of great importance in agriculture. Over the past four decades, ...
Read More
Given the unlimited needs of mankind and the limited resources available, human beings have always been thinking about how to use the available resources and facilities optimally. Energy plays an important role in economic activities and it is of great importance in agriculture. Over the past four decades, energy consumption in the agricultural sector has increased tremendously. In Iran, energy used to be provided with subsidies to various economic sectors like agriculture in order to support the production. In this study, the ARDL- FUZZY method is used to study the effect of various factors on energy consumption in Iran's agricultural sector. The data on energy consumption by the agricultural sector, the share of the agricultural sector in the economy, the ratio of capital to labor, energy intensity, and energy prices were collected for the period 1974-2015. The results indicate that the share of the agricultural sector has a positive and significant effect on energy consumption over the studied period. The capital/labor ratio has a positive effect on energy consumption. Energy intensity in the studied period eventually has an irregular trend and has a positive effect on energy consumption in this sector. Energy prices (fossil fuels and electricity) have a negative effect (a low level of significance) on energy consumption. Therefore, it is suggested to give more consideration to energy consumption and its underlying factors in policymaking due to the importance of energy and the problem of pollution.
Environmental policy and management
Mohammadreza Sasouli; Abdul Rashid Jamnia
Volume 9, Issue 3 , Summer 2019, , Pages 229-236
Abstract
Energy carriers are one of the most important inputs in the agricultural sector. These inputs have been the foundation of the development and transition of the agricultural sector from the traditional stage to the industrial stage. The energy per capita marginal consumption in Iran’s agricultural ...
Read More
Energy carriers are one of the most important inputs in the agricultural sector. These inputs have been the foundation of the development and transition of the agricultural sector from the traditional stage to the industrial stage. The energy per capita marginal consumption in Iran’s agricultural sector is 3.2 times greater than its global average. Therefore, it is essential to save and optimally use energy carriers in this sector. Price liberalization is known as the most important pricing tool. The present study analyzes the effect of the prices of energy carriers on the productivity of their consumption in the agricultural sector by using the hidden cointegration method. The results show that the productivity of electricity and oil products display an asymmetric behavior in response to energy price variations so that electricity productivity decreases by 1145.04 units as the prices of electricity carriers rise and increases by 1254.32 units when the prices of electricity decrease. Also, when the price of oil products increases, productivity shows an increase of 22.18 units. In addition, the productivity of oil product carriers is improved by increasing their prices. Therefore, price correction is inevitable in the energy carrier sector. Given the asymmetric effect of the price of electricity on its productivity, the type of electricity price correction process should be considered along with non-price policies. The pricing tool only provides an incentive for productivity growth through the substitution of production factors. Given these conditions, if there is no economic structure and facilities to improve productivity, it cannot be expected that the pattern of energy consumption is corrected.
Environmental policy and management
Fereshteh Faraji; Farahnaz Rostami; Nader Naderi; Shahab Khoshkhooi
Volume 9, Issue 3 , Summer 2019, , Pages 213-227
Abstract
The high capacity of the agricultural sector in Kermanshah Province needs more attention for some reasons including weather and climate conditions, access to fertile lands, and ready-made labor force. The current research seeks to achieve a major strategy for the development of entrepreneurship activities ...
Read More
The high capacity of the agricultural sector in Kermanshah Province needs more attention for some reasons including weather and climate conditions, access to fertile lands, and ready-made labor force. The current research seeks to achieve a major strategy for the development of entrepreneurship activities in the agricultural sector of Kermanshah Province. To reach end a mixed research method was used in which the content analysis and survey methods were used in the qualitative and quantitative phases, respectively. The content analysis and “Analysis of Hierarchy Process (AHP) were applied by using Expert Choice software for data analysis. In the quantitative part, the study population was comprised of agricultural entrepreneurs in Kermanshah Province, of which 27 participated in semi-structured interviews. In the quantitative part, a pairwise comparison questionnaire was administered to 10 entrepreneurs who were entrepreneurship experts. Based on the results obtained from the current research, the development strategy, namely “regional market development, paving the way for the development of entrepreneurial companies, and presentation of products fabricated by agricultural entrepreneurs in Kermanshah Province in regional, national, and international exhibitions”, was chosen as the best conservative strategy with the final priority of 0.347. In addition, another strategy, i.e. “the formulation of policies and establishment of appropriate support platforms for agricultural entrepreneurs by the state and organizations, such as subsidizing producers and providing facilities to entrepreneurs to facilitate access to suitable land for their activities”, with the final priority of 0.270% was chosen as the alternative strategy for the development of entrepreneurial activities in Kermanshah province.
Environmental policy and management
Mojtaba Abbasian; Sina Ahmadzadeh Mashinchi; Basil Sharp
Volume 9, Issue 3 , Summer 2019, , Pages 191-201
Abstract
The realization of sustainable development depends on the efficient use of energy resources. Energy consumption productivity and efficiency are among important indices that play a critical role in explaining the behavior of energy consumption structure of different economic sectors, which in turn, plays ...
Read More
The realization of sustainable development depends on the efficient use of energy resources. Energy consumption productivity and efficiency are among important indices that play a critical role in explaining the behavior of energy consumption structure of different economic sectors, which in turn, plays a key role in policy making. From among economic sectors, the agriculture sector, as an important sector, depends on the consumption of energy as a factor underpinning agricultural production to a great extent. Thus, the present study tries to firstly calculate energy efficiency and productivity of agricultural sector, and then, investigate the relationship between production and energy consumption of New Zealand’s agricultural sector using simultaneous equations system and two-stage least squares method. The annual data of New Zealand agricultural economics are used for the period of 1990-2017. The results showed that agricultural sector’s energy consumption efficiency in New Zealand was mostly optimum according to energy efficiency index. In addition, estimation of energy equation revealed that the added value of agricultural sector had a positive influence on energy consumption growth. Among the other positively affecting variables, agricultural sector’s labour and energy consumption in the prior period could be mentioned. The negative sign of capital stock in the equation reflects the fact that the higher the investment in agricultural sector, the lower the energy consumption.
Environmental policy and management
Naser Valizadeh; Masoud Bijani; Dariush Hayati
Volume 9, Issue 1 , Winter 2019, , Pages 1-10
Abstract
According to experts, the inefficient agricultural sector has a dominant role in degrading water resources all over the world. Farmers’ conservational behavior is an important aspect of new integrated water management studies. Relevantly, various behavioral theories have been proposed in the field ...
Read More
According to experts, the inefficient agricultural sector has a dominant role in degrading water resources all over the world. Farmers’ conservational behavior is an important aspect of new integrated water management studies. Relevantly, various behavioral theories have been proposed in the field of environmental psychology. The main objective of the present comparative analysis and review study was to explain foundations of the most remarkable water conservation behavioral theories, classify them, and finally, present a critical discussion on the better application of each theory to explain the farmers' Water Conservation Behaviors (WCBs). This study is based on the documentary research method which was accomplished using a systematic literature review. The comparison analysis of existing theories indicates that the “theory selection” should be consistent with the “type of behavior under study”. Consequently, it is recommended to adopt the theories like Planned Behavior Theory and Reasoned Action Theory to illustrate the private-sphere WCBs such as farmers’ willingness to pay for water conservation because these behaviors are directly associated with the farmers’ personal interests. With respect to those conservational behaviors with participatory and collective nature, an individual may ignore his/her short-sighted and immediate benefits to achieve collective and long-term interests. In such a case, the use of moral approach and its relevant theories, including the Value-Belief-Norms Theory and the Norm Activation Theory, seems to be more appropriate. Consequently, agricultural practitioners and researchers are recommended to use rational approach theories to analyze the WCBs of farmers.
Environmental policy and management
Feyzallah Monavvarifard; Masoud Baradaran; Bahman Khosravipour
Volume 9, Issue 1 , Winter 2019, , Pages 45-54
Abstract
Value co-creation process as a mutual interaction between individuals is a key issue across the management network. Recently, studies have placed a special emphasis on people’s interaction in order to accomplish value co-creation. Given that the process of experience exchange enables us to identify ...
Read More
Value co-creation process as a mutual interaction between individuals is a key issue across the management network. Recently, studies have placed a special emphasis on people’s interaction in order to accomplish value co-creation. Given that the process of experience exchange enables us to identify our resources in transactional processes and make collaboration to achieve common values, the purpose of this study was to identify factors affecting student value co-creation to institutionalize sustainability in agricultural and natural recourses universities. Statistical population of the research consisted of 2248students of which 204 students were selected using stratified random sampling. The main research tool was a researcher-made questionnaire whose face and content validity was confirmed by a panel of experts and whose construct validity was confirmed by using explanatory factor analysis (KMO = 0.752; P= 0.01).The reliability was checked by calculating ordinal theta ( 0.89). Data was analyzed by SPSS20.Descriptive findings showed that student value co-creation level was moderate (43.060 percent). The findings of exploratory factor analysis revealed that seven factors including teaching quality, support from top management, students’ social capital, confidence to faculty member, self-efficacy, pro-environmental values, and infrastructures of information and communication technology (ICT) captured 77.74 percent of student value co-creation variance.
Environmental policy and management
Reza Dinpanah
Volume 8, Issue 3 , Summer 2018, , Pages 441-449
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine influencing factors on adoption of organic farming in Sari County, Iran. The methodological approach of this study was descriptive-correlation. The research population consisted of 18830 horticulturists in Sari County, which was selected using stratified randomizing ...
Read More
The aim of this study was to determine influencing factors on adoption of organic farming in Sari County, Iran. The methodological approach of this study was descriptive-correlation. The research population consisted of 18830 horticulturists in Sari County, which was selected using stratified randomizing sampling method and Cochran formula. Validity of the instrument was established by a panel of experts consisting of senior faculty members in agricultural extension and education department. Reliability analysis was conducted by using and Cronbach alpha formula and result was 0.89. The results showed that 54.6 percent of horticulturists expressed situation of adoption of organic farming were low. Variable of experience with adoption of organic farming had been relationship of negative and significant. Also, variables of yield, cost-benefit, drip irrigation acreage, connect to experts, social status, social participation, effect of extension-education activities, use of information resources, compatibility of organic farming innovations and testability of organic farming innovations with adoption of organic farming had been relationship of positive and significant. The results of the multiple regression analysis (stepwise method) revealed that the variables of social participation, effect of extension-education activities and drip irrigation acreage in three steps explained variation of 24% of adoption of organic farming.
Environmental policy and management
Seyyed Ali Noorhosseini; Afshin Soltani; Hossein Ajamnoroozi
Volume 8, Issue 2 , Spring 2018, , Pages 257-273
Abstract
To evaluate the effect of climate change on peanut production in Northern Iran on the basis of 2oC rise in temperature, a study was conducted using the SSM-Peanut. The simulation was done based on the long-term data obtained from synoptic stations in Guilan including Anzali, Astara, Kiashahr (Astaneh ...
Read More
To evaluate the effect of climate change on peanut production in Northern Iran on the basis of 2oC rise in temperature, a study was conducted using the SSM-Peanut. The simulation was done based on the long-term data obtained from synoptic stations in Guilan including Anzali, Astara, Kiashahr (Astaneh Ashrafieh), Lahijan, Rasht (Agriculture station), Rasht (Airport station), Roudsar and Talesh. When model was run for each year and each scenario, the following parameters were recorded in the outputs: days to beginning bloom, days to beginning pod, days to beginning seed, days to harvest maturity, maximum leaf area index, accumulated crop dry matter, seed yield, and pod yield. Data analysis: data analysis was done using SPSS 18. Furthermore, from ArcGIS was used for zoning of Guilan in terms of peanut production in the current condition and after the climate change. To compare the difference between peanut growth and yield in the current condition and when the climate change happens, t-test and discriminant analysis were used. The results showed that there is a statistically significant difference in terms of all parameters between the current condition and after climate change 2oC rise in temperature) in Guilan Province. With the rise temperature, average peanut growth period in Guilan decreased from 142 days to 123 days. Generally, the average peanut yield changes in Guilan with 2-degree rise in temperature is 8.73 percent more than that in the current condition.
Environmental policy and management
Zeinab Sharifi; Mehdi Nooripoor
Volume 8, Issue 2 , Spring 2018, , Pages 137-147
Abstract
Sustainable Livelihoods Approach emerged in the 1980s as a new analytical approach in the field of rural development inwhich the rural livelihood capitals form the basis of the villagers' empowerment and their ability to get involved in their own individual and social destiny. This study ...
Read More
Sustainable Livelihoods Approach emerged in the 1980s as a new analytical approach in the field of rural development inwhich the rural livelihood capitals form the basis of the villagers' empowerment and their ability to get involved in their own individual and social destiny. This study aimed to answer the question that how much the importance of each type of livelihood capitals is in the Central District of Dena County in an attempt to improve rural development interventions. The statistical population of the study consisted of local experts of Central District of Dena County that involved village managers and village council members out of which 15 individuals were purposefully selected based on their accessibility. Data were collected through a questionnaire which was developed to conduct pairwise comparisons of livelihood capitals according to the ANP method. Super Decisions software was used in order to rank livelihood capitals and their sub-indexes. The results showed that from among the five types of capital, physical capital was at the first priority. In addition, human, natural and social capitals were at the second, third and fourth priorities, respectively. Finally, financial capital was in the last priority. Therefore, in planning and investing to achieve sustainable livelihood in rural areas, physical and human capital should be taken into consideration more than any other capitals.
Environmental policy and management
Hamid El Bilali
Volume 8, Issue 2 , Spring 2018, , Pages 201-218
Abstract
Innovation is a complex phenomenon and process involving translation of knowledge into new techniques, products, services. It is considered crucial for sustainable agriculture development and achievement of long-term food security. The review describes the diversity of innovation and relates it to agro-food ...
Read More
Innovation is a complex phenomenon and process involving translation of knowledge into new techniques, products, services. It is considered crucial for sustainable agriculture development and achievement of long-term food security. The review describes the diversity of innovation and relates it to agro-food sector. It also sheds light on different innovation models and explores their contribution to framing agro-food sustainability transitions. There are many variations in the use of the term ‘innovation’. Typical distinctions encountered in the literature are incremental vs. radical innovation and product vs. process vs. organizational innovation. A significant feature of the development of modern innovation thinking has been a gradual broadening of innovation scope as well as more attention to sustainability. The scope of innovation was broadened to include soft (social/organisation) innovations besides hard/technical ones. In fact, the interest has shifted from technological innovation to disruptive niche innovations fundamental for socio-technical transitions. Moreover, as a recognition of system complexity, frameworks such as the Innovation systems and the Multi-Level Perspective (MLP) were developed and promoted. However, despite positive innovation benefits, relationship between innovation and sustainability in the agro-food arena is far from straightforward. Therefore, focus is gradually moving from innovation process to its impacts in terms of sustainability and its contribution to sustainability transitions in agriculture and food systems.
Environmental policy and management
Sinisa Berjan; Roberto Capone; Philipp Debs; Hamid El Bilali
Volume 8, Issue 1 , Winter 2018, , Pages 1-16
Abstract
Food losses refer to edible food mass decrease throughout the human food chain. Food losses occurring at consumption stage are called food waste. Food Losses and Waste (FLW) represent one of the most critical social, economic and ecological challenges facing humanity, besides being also an ethical issue. ...
Read More
Food losses refer to edible food mass decrease throughout the human food chain. Food losses occurring at consumption stage are called food waste. Food Losses and Waste (FLW) represent one of the most critical social, economic and ecological challenges facing humanity, besides being also an ethical issue. FAO data show that roughly one-third of food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted. There are no precise and accurate data regarding food waste in Near East and North Africa (NENA) region. The review paper aims at providing insights about the extent of FLW in NENA region with a special focus on Arab countries and Iran. The paper explores linkages between food waste and food security. Moreover, it analyses the economic and environmental implications of FLW. FLW vary depending on food type, country and season. Generally speaking, postharvest losses are significant in this region for most of commodity groups. It is estimated that FLW amount to 34% of food supply in NENA region. FLW undermine the very foundations of food security and amount to major depletion of resources (e.g. water, land, energy) and produce needlessly greenhouse gases. They also represent a wasted investment that reduces farmers’ incomes and increase consumers’ expenses. Therefore, food waste reduction is crucial for improving the sustainability of the food supply chain and achieving food and nutrition security in the region.
Environmental policy and management
Michele Fonte Francesco
Volume 8, Issue 1 , Winter 2018, , Pages 17-23
Abstract
The paper presents the articulated strategy of valorization, implemented by the international movement called Slow Food in Italy and abroad in order to reconsider the concept of agricultural profitability. In particular, the paper suggests profitability lays on the value markets recognize to agricultural ...
Read More
The paper presents the articulated strategy of valorization, implemented by the international movement called Slow Food in Italy and abroad in order to reconsider the concept of agricultural profitability. In particular, the paper suggests profitability lays on the value markets recognize to agricultural production. In this perspective, the Slow Food strategy represents a good practice to be emulated because it strengthens the producers’ confidence, improves product culture among producers and consumers, and re-embeds local agricultural products into the hotbed of practices of society while mass consumption drives it to abandonment.
Environmental policy and management
Mostafa Teimoori; Nina Rajaee; Mohammad hadi Hajian
Volume 7, Issue 4 , Autumn 2017, , Pages 489-496
Abstract
The present study aims to investigate income distribution in Zanjan Province, for which the statistics of cost-income of the households in rural areas of Abhar County were used. They were available in the Statistical Center of Iran. In order to measure income distribution, the indicators of Lorenz curve, ...
Read More
The present study aims to investigate income distribution in Zanjan Province, for which the statistics of cost-income of the households in rural areas of Abhar County were used. They were available in the Statistical Center of Iran. In order to measure income distribution, the indicators of Lorenz curve, the Gini coefficient, the proportion of high-income groups to low-income groups, as well as the comparison of decades and quintiles are described below. The results indicated that 20% of the richest households in the rural community of Abhar County had more than half of the revenue, and four poor decades had less than 10% of revenue. The richest farmer docile had an income about 28 times as high as the poorest decade, and the richest non-farmer docile had an income about 74 times as high as the poorest non-farmer docile. The results of the Gini coefficient of the two occupational groups suggested that the Gini coefficient of people working in the agricultural sector was equal to 0.55, and that it was 0.56 for non-agricultural workers by comparison. The results of correlation analysis indicated a negative relationship between the age of household’s head and their annual income. Moreover education level of household’s head had a positive relationship with their annual income. In addition, there was no significant difference among annual incomes of households heads with different occupational groups.
Environmental policy and management
Amir Nouri; Solieman Rasouliazar; Lorence Anvieh Takieh
Volume 7, Issue 3 , Summer 2017, , Pages 313-323
Abstract
The main purpose of this study was to analyze the effective solutions in the field of waste management in municipalities. The statistical population in this survey –based study consisted of the citizens that lived in Orumiyeh city in West Azerbaijan Province. By using Cochran formula, sample size ...
Read More
The main purpose of this study was to analyze the effective solutions in the field of waste management in municipalities. The statistical population in this survey –based study consisted of the citizens that lived in Orumiyeh city in West Azerbaijan Province. By using Cochran formula, sample size was estimated to include 180 people. The data collection tool was a questionnaire. The reliability coefficient of the questionnaire was obtained by a Cronbach's alpha that turned out to be 0.87.Results showed that a positive and significance relationship exists between the transport collection and landfill management solution, expense management solution, executive management solution, the strategy management system, as well as the importance of waste management. Also in addition, multi regression results shows that about 55.9 percent of the solid waste management system is determined by variables such as collection and transportation of waste and landfill, executive management, costs management, and improvement of the management system of the organization.
Environmental policy and management
Yalda Rahmati Ghofrani; Mohammad Taleghani; Ebrahim Chirani
Volume 7, Issue 2 , Spring 2017, , Pages 179-189
Abstract
The aim of this paper was investigating the effects of organic knowledge, perceived consequences, subjective norms,price, and green trust, perceived consumer effectiveness, availability, relative advantage, and organic purchase intention on organic purchase behavior among Iranian consumers ...
Read More
The aim of this paper was investigating the effects of organic knowledge, perceived consequences, subjective norms,price, and green trust, perceived consumer effectiveness, availability, relative advantage, and organic purchase intention on organic purchase behavior among Iranian consumers as the consumers in a developing country.The survey questionnaire was administered to the customers of large chain stores and organic food stores in five provinces of Iran that had branches for producing and selling organic food products. Given the very few number of organic food consumers in Iran, only 192 out of 240 questionnaires were filled and then used as samples of study. In order to analysis the data and test the hypotheses, multiple regression analysis method was used using by SPSS software. Results showed strong support (R2=0.51) for the impact of price, consumer effectiveness, and perceived consequences on intention to purchase organic food products. Organic knowledge, green trust, price, consumer effectiveness, and intention were found to have influenced purchase behavior. This paper will discuss the implications of these results for agricultural practitioners and marketers.
Decision-making
Ehsan Gholifar; Enayat Abbasi; Gholamreza Pezeshki Rad; Hassan Salehi; Abdolmotalleb Rezaei
Volume 7, Issue 2 , Spring 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, ...
Read More
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.
Environmental policy and management
Reza Esfanjari kenari; Zohre Karami; Seyadeh Sedighe Ahmadzade
Volume 7, Issue 2 , Spring 2017, , Pages 237-244
Abstract
This paper presents an analysis of technical efficiency and technology gap ratio (TGR) in greenhouse cucumber in Fars Province, Iran. Cucumber production was chosen for this study for the reason that greenhouse productions in this provincemainly have focused on this product. The data used ...
Read More
This paper presents an analysis of technical efficiency and technology gap ratio (TGR) in greenhouse cucumber in Fars Province, Iran. Cucumber production was chosen for this study for the reason that greenhouse productions in this provincemainly have focused on this product. The data used in this study was obtained from a random sample of 127 greenhouses in Fars Province for 2010 to 2011. Metafrontier production function model for firms was used within the parametric framework of stochastic frontier analysis (SFA). The frontier models are applied in the analysis of cross-sectional data by assuming a translog functional form. Results indicate that eliminating energy input subsidies has led to significant decrease in greenhouse cucumber production efficiency so that the mean technical efficiency declined from 98% to 67 % during 2010-2011. Furthermore, subsidies elimination has also led to decrease of the mean technology gap ratio in greenhouses from 0.92 to 0.87, in other words, it has caused more distance from efficient production frontier.
Environmental policy and management
Narges Mirzaie Gorji; Hosain Shabanali Fami; Houshang Iravani
Volume 7, Issue 1 , Winter 2017, , Pages 95-99
Abstract
Agricultural waste management is one of the important issues that agricultural producers should consider to increase their income and environmental protection. Therefore, the investigation of factors that reduce the rate of agricultural production wastage as well as citrus production wastage is of utmost ...
Read More
Agricultural waste management is one of the important issues that agricultural producers should consider to increase their income and environmental protection. Therefore, the investigation of factors that reduce the rate of agricultural production wastage as well as citrus production wastage is of utmost consequence in order to manage wastes, reduce environmental degradation and ecosystem destruction, and increase food security and economic growth. Inspired by this assumption, the aim of this study was to investigate factors affecting citrus waste production in Mazandaran Province, Northern Iran (N= 7867). A stratified random sampling method was employed to collect data from 165 farmers. The main tool to collect data was a self-designed questionnaire whose content validity was approved by a panel of experts and an exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and its reliability was confirmed by calculating a Cronbach's alpha coefficient (α ≥ 0.7).The results of the exploratory factor analysis showed that socioeconomic and technical factors altogether accounted for 60.257% of variances in citrus production wastage.
Environmental policy and management
Seyed Masood Motamed-Alshariati; Hassan Sadrnia; Mohammad Hossein Aghkhani; Mehdi Khojastehpour
Volume 7, Issue 1 , Winter 2017, , Pages 89-94
Abstract
Agriculture has a key role in greenhouse gas emissions. As such, the present study aimed to evaluate the greenhouse gas emissions from wheat production in irrigated and rain-fed systems. The primary data were collected from 116 wheat farmers. The results showed that the total greenhouse gas emissions ...
Read More
Agriculture has a key role in greenhouse gas emissions. As such, the present study aimed to evaluate the greenhouse gas emissions from wheat production in irrigated and rain-fed systems. The primary data were collected from 116 wheat farmers. The results showed that the total greenhouse gas emissions from wheat production in irrigated and rain-fed systems were 637.8 and 65.12 kgCO2eq, respectively. The diesel fuel was the largest contributor to the total greenhouse gas emissions in irrigated systems with the share of 33%. Moreover, these inputs accounted for the highest share of greenhouse gas emissions in rain-fed system. The results of Cobb-Douglas model highlighted that the effects of inputs, including machinery, diesel fuel, electricity, and farmyard manure were positive on the yield in irrigated systems. However, the effect of chemical fertilizer and biocide inputs was negative on wheat yield. On the other hand, the effects of all inputs were positive on wheat yield in rain-fed system. The results of the sensitivity analysis showed that one kg increase in greenhouse gas emissions from chemical fertilizer and biocide would result in 0.28 and 0.15 kg loss of yield, respectively.
Environmental policy and management
Habib Shahbazi; Ahmad Samdeliri
Volume 7, Issue 1 , Winter 2017, , Pages 133-140
Abstract
In this study, the recreational value of ShirinSou Wetland of the Kabodarahang County in Hamadan Province, Iran was estimated and the visitors' willingness to Pay (WTP) was measured by using Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) and One and One Half Bound model (OOHB) dichotomous choice (DC) questionnaire. ...
Read More
In this study, the recreational value of ShirinSou Wetland of the Kabodarahang County in Hamadan Province, Iran was estimated and the visitors' willingness to Pay (WTP) was measured by using Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) and One and One Half Bound model (OOHB) dichotomous choice (DC) questionnaire. The results show that 81 percent of investigating individuals will pay for recreational usage of the studied wetland. Estimated WTP is 44671 IRR (US$ 1.68) for each visitor. The total annual recreational value of this wetland is estimated at about 809 (million IRR) (or US$ 30348). Furthermore, the variables of proposed bids and visitors' monthly income are statistically significant at 1%; so, these two variables are considered as the most important factors affecting visitors' WTP. Also, these tow variables have negative and positive effect on WTP, respectively. Age and level of education were the next effective factors with significant impact at the 10% level. Policy makers can take these values into consideration in the decision-making process of the development of the wetlands.
Environmental policy and management
Busola Amolegbe Khadijat; Abimbola Usman Mutiat; Olayinka Animashaun Jubril
Volume 7, Issue 1 , Winter 2017, , Pages 59-70
Abstract
The study was designed to assess the environmental and health risks arising from intensive poultry production in Kwara State, Nigeria. A total of 120 poultry farmers in Kwara State under the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) were selected randomly for the study, and structured questionnaires were ...
Read More
The study was designed to assess the environmental and health risks arising from intensive poultry production in Kwara State, Nigeria. A total of 120 poultry farmers in Kwara State under the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) were selected randomly for the study, and structured questionnaires were administered. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and the linear regression. The study revealed that about 79.5% of the poultry farmers were literate, having completed at least a tertiary educational level. In addition, the results showed that the environmental and health issues were significant during production and processing. It was further revealed that the type of battery cage used and educational level of the farmers were positively significant, while the year of establishment was negatively significant when it comes to the adoption practices. This implies that the higher the level of education, the more likely farmers adopt improved practices. Moreover, it was observed that the majority of the poultry farmers do not abide by the environmental and public health laws and regulations; therefore, it is recommended that government should enforce strict supervisory agencies of the sanitation/health policies aiming at environmental preservation and protection.
Environmental policy and management
Sajad Rostami; Somayeh Choobin; Bahram Hosseinzadeh; Zahra Esmaeili; Hemad Zareiforoush
Volume 7, Issue 1 , Winter 2017, , Pages 47-58
Abstract
The present study attempts to investigate the potential relationship between input energies, performance production of greenhouse basil, and greenhouse gases emitted from this product. The data were collected from 24 greenhouses using a questionnaire and verbal interaction with farmers. Results of the ...
Read More
The present study attempts to investigate the potential relationship between input energies, performance production of greenhouse basil, and greenhouse gases emitted from this product. The data were collected from 24 greenhouses using a questionnaire and verbal interaction with farmers. Results of the study showed that the total input energy and total output energy for basil production were 119,852.9 MJ/ha and 61,040 MJ/ha, respectively. The highest rate of energy consumption was related to electricity (52,200 MJ/ha), followed by plastic (23,220 MJ/ha) and chemical fertilizers (13,894 MJ/ha). The energy and productivity indices were estimated at 0.45 and 0.21, respectively, which indicated that the efficiency of energy in the agricultural sector was low. In addition, it was found that the pure energy index and total greenhouse gases emitted from basil production were equal to -722,706.9 and 9,595.6 kg (CO2), respectively. The highest emission of greenhouse gases was attributed to electricity (2,216 kg/CO2). Results of modeling proved that artificial neural networks can predict basil performance and CO2 emissions with a high degree of accuracy (R2=0.99 and MSE= 0.00023).
Education and training
Fatemeh Askary Bozayeh; Fathollah Keshavarzshal; Zahra MojibHaghghadam; Parisa Shahinrokhsar
Volume 7, Issue 1 , Winter 2017, , Pages 37-46
Abstract
This studyaimed to explain thebehavior and attitudes of farmersin the adoption ofIntegrated PestManagement (IPM) technologiesinrice fields. The main instrument ofresearch was a questionnaire whose validitywas confirmed bya panel of professorsandexecutive experts, and its reliabilitywas ...
Read More
This studyaimed to explain thebehavior and attitudes of farmersin the adoption ofIntegrated PestManagement (IPM) technologiesinrice fields. The main instrument ofresearch was a questionnaire whose validitywas confirmed bya panel of professorsandexecutive experts, and its reliabilitywas confirmed by apreliminarytest.The sample employed inthe research study comprisedfarmers who were participating in extensionprograms of integrated pest managementheld in Lahijanand Amlash during2012-2014.The findings showed that the predominant activity of farmers wasthe use of combinedmethods (chemical and non-chemical), leaving crop residue on the field, and using biological control, with the rank average of 9.27, 9.25, and 9.12from the total average of 6.5, respectively.In addition to,private extension cooperatives, rice supervisors, agricultural extension staff,educators, and TV programswith the average of 11.14, 10.87, 10.80, and 10.71 of the total average of 7.49 had the highest share in informing the farmers. Based on such findings, some suggestions were also given,such as concentration on special aspects of integrated pest management, attention to the education of rural women, and employingyoung and educated members of farmers’ familiesas arms of agriculture extension in transferring innovation of integrated pest management to families.
