Reza Zehtab Naebi; Saeed Firouzi; Mohammad Reza Ebrahimzadeh
Abstract
The increasing cost of peanut production is a major concern in Iran. Therefore, developing the mechanization of peanut production is a necessity. In this regard, a three-phase Delphi study was conducted to identify the promoting and deterring factors affecting peanut cultivation mechanization in Guilan ...
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The increasing cost of peanut production is a major concern in Iran. Therefore, developing the mechanization of peanut production is a necessity. In this regard, a three-phase Delphi study was conducted to identify the promoting and deterring factors affecting peanut cultivation mechanization in Guilan Province, the main peanut-producing region in Iran. After preliminary studies, 26 experts were selected as respondents for the study. Based on the final results, ‘allocating provincial and national funds to develop mechanization’ (with the agreement of 98.07% of respondents), ‘Organizing training programs to increase farmers’ technical knowledge’ (97.12%), and ‘conducting the pilot and model projects’ (95.19%) were found to be the most important promoting factors in developing peanut cultivation mechanization in north of Iran. Moreover, ‘the small size and fragmentation of peanut farms’ (with 96.15% of respondents agreeing), ‘problems with the national and provincial programs of peanut mechanization’ (95.19%), and ‘low technical knowledge of farmers and craftsmen about peanut farming mechanization’ (94.23%) were identified as the most important deterring factors in developing peanut cultivation mechanization in north of Iran. Given the small area dedicated to peanut cultivation and the low income levels of peanut farmers in north of Iran, it seems that provincial and national funding allocation and peer-planned programming to import appropriate farm machinery are the most urgent plans to improve the status of mechanization of peanut cultivation in north of Iran.
Yaser Feizabadi
Volume 4, Issue 1 , March 2014, , Pages 1-5
Abstract
This paper aims to analyze tariff protection policies in the agricultural sector of developing countries. The agricultural tariff structure in developing countries is characterized by: i) high average tariffs, ii) the existence of tariff escalation, iii) dispersion of nominal tariffs across tariff lines, ...
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This paper aims to analyze tariff protection policies in the agricultural sector of developing countries. The agricultural tariff structure in developing countries is characterized by: i) high average tariffs, ii) the existence of tariff escalation, iii) dispersion of nominal tariffs across tariff lines, and iv) a wide gap between average nominal tariffs and import-weighted average tariffs. Consequently, some features can be extracted that are consistent with the observed patterns of tariff protection in developing countries: i) escalation of nominal tariff rates with the degree of processing, ii) higher average tariffs in the agricultural sector compared to agriculture in developed countries, and iii) higher non-agricultural than agricultural tariff protection. Here the Theory of Political Tariff Protection for Agricultural Sector in developing countries is described. This theory allows us to identify two sets of products. Agricultural products for which tariffs are higher than their political fitted values, therefore, tariff cuts should occur in a long period of time and for which tariffs are higher than their political fitted values therefore tariff reductions would not be politically costly.
Saeid Fe'li; Gholamreza Pezeshki Rad; Hassan Sadighi; Esmaeil Shahbazi; Seyed Javad Ghoraishi Abhari
Volume 3, Issue 1 , March 2013, , Pages 1-7
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to assess the process of extension program development in Iranian Agricultural Extension System (IAES). The research instrument was a structural questionnaire with close-ended questions which its validity and reliability was confirmed by using expert panel and Cranach’s ...
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The purpose of this study was to assess the process of extension program development in Iranian Agricultural Extension System (IAES). The research instrument was a structural questionnaire with close-ended questions which its validity and reliability was confirmed by using expert panel and Cranach’s alpha test, respectively. The target population of this research included all extension managers who were responsible for doing extension activities in Iran’s townships (N=334). According to Krejcie and Morgan’s table, a number of 191 persons selected as statistical sample in a stratified sampling method, and finally 198 questionnaires were gathered and analyzed (n=198). Overall, the use of the process of extension program development in IAES was at less than moderate level. The other results also indicated there was the significantly positive relationship between selected demographic characteristics of extension managers with their viewpoint on the use of the process of extension program development in IAES. These results highlight the need for the reform of the process of agricultural extension program development in IAES.
Hossein Zaker Esteghamati; Sayed Abdoullah Hosseini; Hamid Reza Mohamadian Tabrizi; Mohamad Hossein Palizdar; Amir Meimandipour
Volume 2, Issue 1 , March 2012, , Pages 1-9
Abstract
From a total of 656 broiler farms with the permission of exploitation in Guilan province, data was gathered from 20% of active farms including 85 units (Capacity of over 1663000 portions of broiler chickens) to evaluate the management of nutrition and nourish using questionnaire. The questionnaires were ...
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From a total of 656 broiler farms with the permission of exploitation in Guilan province, data was gathered from 20% of active farms including 85 units (Capacity of over 1663000 portions of broiler chickens) to evaluate the management of nutrition and nourish using questionnaire. The questionnaires were completed by the interview method. The methods of making feed, feed formulation, the shape of grain, the frequency of feeding, the type of dietary supplement and food additives, the use of experts, feed conversion ratio, causes of mortality, the age of mortality, drinking and feeding systems, and how to use fine nourishing (in the shape of supplement or concentrate) were considered in this study. The performance was calculated for each broiler farm. According to the production index, the farms were divided into three groups of weak (200+25), medium (250+25), and good (300+25) and their differences were compared. According to the results, among the managerial factors, the factors such as: feeding system, water quality, the conformity of ration in nutrition with the needs of commercial strains and drinking management, have the most portion in creating the three groups of good, medium and weak, among the broiler rearing farms. Thus, in the study of each group’s feeding system, the good group has the highest percentage of using automatic systems (86/60) and the weak group has the highest percentage of using manual systems. In comparing three groups regarding the drinking water quality, it was observed that good, medium and weak groups drink 92%, 61.84%, and 75% fresh water, respectively. Furthermore, in the weak group, most of the farms have used the water with tolerable hardness or saltiness. Finally, the conformity of strain’s requirement with diet was examined among groups. The results showed that 16.5% of units followed this conformity and the percentages of the good, medium, weak groups was 11.12%, 28%, 53.5%, respectively.
Tahir Munir Butt; Muhammad Zakaria Yousuf Hassan; Shahbaz Talib Sahi; Khalid Mehmood; Mashood- ul-Subtain; Naeem- ul Hassan
Volume 1, Issue 1 , March 2011, , Pages 1-6
Abstract
A research can also reveal the cooperative effectiveness of agencies such as evaluation will lead to discover the weakness and strengths for further improvement of this program. The present study was designed in 2009 especially to see the effectiveness of the working of agricultural extension staff as ...
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A research can also reveal the cooperative effectiveness of agencies such as evaluation will lead to discover the weakness and strengths for further improvement of this program. The present study was designed in 2009 especially to see the effectiveness of the working of agricultural extension staff as perceived by farmers in district Okara-Pakistan. The data were collected with the help of a specifically designed and pre-tested interview schedule and total sample was 300 respondents. The results showed that most 45.0% of the respondents belonged to the old age (31-40 years) category and most 30% of the respondents were above illiterate. An overwhelming majority 77.33% of the respondents was in fall radio category. Whereas, only 29.33% of the respondents reported that they had contact with Extension Field Staff. An overwhelming majority 74.33% of the respondents indicated lack of mobility as the major constraints in approaching agricultural extension education services. It was concluded that different mass media were not fully utilized in the area which hindered not only awareness level of the respondents but also adversely effect the adoption level regarding the latest production technology related agriculture sector. On the basis of conclusions it was recommended that for first of all the educational level of the study area should be increased and Government should ensure adequate availability of rural infrastructure facilities to enable more of the dwellers cultivate the habit of utilizing medias channels as source of information in agriculture production.
Sara Esfandi; Ahmad Fatahi
Volume 6, Issue 1 , March 2016, , Pages 1-6
Abstract
Advertising is not only as a tool to increase company sales. Fast development of mass communication tools and added new mediums to advertising media have been introduced the advertising as a key element in the success or failure of a company. Due to the intense competition between companies and the fast ...
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Advertising is not only as a tool to increase company sales. Fast development of mass communication tools and added new mediums to advertising media have been introduced the advertising as a key element in the success or failure of a company. Due to the intense competition between companies and the fast growth of markets and changes in consumer behavior, advertising is taken into consideration as a major tool to create consumer awareness of products and services. Thus, in order to choose the best advertising method for meat products (sausages and salami), comments of 500 Shiraz citizens are collected by Cochran sampling and used in data analysis by Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). After gathering the data, by synthesis the comments of respondents through arithmetic mean, the pairwise comparison matrix of criteria and priorities was formed to estimate the relative weights of them to achieve the goals of "the best method of advertising". The results indicated with respect to citizen viewpoints, the media advertisement, the street billboards, the advertising brochures, the advertising kiosks, and the purchase awards have the highest degree of importance with weight 0.430, 0.238, 0.139, 0.098 and 0.096, respectively. Due to the competition of different meat products factories, to make interest and encourage for purchasing a goods toward the competitor goods, it is necessary to use the persuasive advertisement.
Volume 6, Issue 3 , September 2016, , Pages 1-3
Abstract
ESEE 2015, Chania, GreeceConference dates: July 4 – 7, 2017Conference Theme: Transformative learning: new directions in agricultural extension and educationThe 23rd European Seminar on Extension (and) Education (ESEE) will be held in the MediterraneanAgronomic Institute of Chania, and hosted by ...
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ESEE 2015, Chania, GreeceConference dates: July 4 – 7, 2017Conference Theme: Transformative learning: new directions in agricultural extension and educationThe 23rd European Seminar on Extension (and) Education (ESEE) will be held in the MediterraneanAgronomic Institute of Chania, and hosted by the Lab. of Agricultural Extension, Rural Systems &Rural Sociology, Dept. of Agricultural Economics & Rural Development, Agricultural Universityof Athens.The conference will provide an opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences among universitystaff and researchers, professional personnel and others who are involved in Extension and Education.We would like to exchange thoughts about the development of our field and also to look forwardtowards the future.
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.
Environmental policy and management
Sinisa Berjan; Roberto Capone; Philipp Debs; Hamid El Bilali
Volume 8, Issue 1 , March 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. ...
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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
Naser Valizadeh; Masoud Bijani; Dariush Hayati
Volume 9, Issue 1 , March 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 ...
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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.
Family and social enterprise
Manochehr Ansari; Hossein Jamour; Mohammad Haghshenas Gorgabi; Mohammad Kavoosi-Kalashami
Volume 10, Issue 1 , March 2020, , Pages 1-17
Abstract
Given the importance of knowledge-based firms in the agricultural sector, this paper aimed to identify barriers hindering companies from becoming knowledge-based in the dominant competitive and dynamic environment. To this end, using a qualitative approach, in-depth interviews were conducted to collect ...
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Given the importance of knowledge-based firms in the agricultural sector, this paper aimed to identify barriers hindering companies from becoming knowledge-based in the dominant competitive and dynamic environment. To this end, using a qualitative approach, in-depth interviews were conducted to collect data from 38 experts and managers in agricultural companies working in Alborz Science and Technology Park Isfahan, Hamedan, and Tehran University. The main criterion for determining the sample size was to reach the theoretical saturation. All respondents were selected using a theoretical and purposeful sampling method. Data coding and analysis procedures were completed in three stages. According to the results of the study, five main internal and external elements were identified: market inefficiency, governance-administrative barriers, inefficient union or organization, lack of skills and professionalism, and the internal inefficiency of the company.
Environmental policy and management
Taher Azizi-Khalkheili; Thomas Aenis; Meysam Menatizadeh; Gholam Hossein Zamani
Volume 11, Issue 1 , March 2021, , Pages 1-15
Abstract
In recent decades, climate change and frequent droughts have had great impacts on farming systems and have led farmers to become accustomed to these conditions, which are causing problems, especially, for smallholder farmers. With the severe weather events and their adverse effects, especially in arid ...
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In recent decades, climate change and frequent droughts have had great impacts on farming systems and have led farmers to become accustomed to these conditions, which are causing problems, especially, for smallholder farmers. With the severe weather events and their adverse effects, especially in arid regions, farmers' adaptation to these changes is an indisputable and critical strategy. Thus, farmers need to make complex decisions about mitigating the adverse effects of climate change to take advantage of newer opportunities as possible. The understanding of the process by which farmers decide to stand facing climate changes and probing into the determinants of the process provide research evidence for policymakers to assist farmers to adapt to climate change effects. This article would establish a conceptual framework, inclusive of factors influencing farmers’ decision-making to adapt to climate change, and would clarify causal relations among these factors. According to the results, household characteristics, economic factors, knowledge, motives and goals, perceived outcomes of adaptation, social, personal norms, perception of climate change, perceived risk and obstacles, attitude towards climate change, prospective perception of climate change, the evaluation of climate change, and adaptation initiatives could influence farmers’ decisions to adapt to climate change.
Nsikak-Abasi A. Etim; Sunday Okon; Inibong A. Akpabio
Volume 1, Issue 2 , June 2011, , Pages 53-59
Abstract
In Nigeria, most farming activities rely on family labor. However, rural-urban drift and the movement of young people away from agriculture are making labor increasingly pause. Thus, labor has become a major constraint to expanding the scope of production by small-scale resource poor farmers. This paper ...
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In Nigeria, most farming activities rely on family labor. However, rural-urban drift and the movement of young people away from agriculture are making labor increasingly pause. Thus, labor has become a major constraint to expanding the scope of production by small-scale resource poor farmers. This paper provides an empirical relationship between labor and poverty using data from households. Through a multi stage sampling procedure, 150 farming households were selected using questionnaire. Results of Foster, Greer and Thorbecke decomposition show that poverty incidence, depth and severity increase with increase in labor employed in farm operations implying that poverty is directly related to labor. Finding further reveals that the difference in poverty incidence of one of the sub-group (1-50 Vs 50-100) pair is statistically significant at (P<0.05). Results suggest that the mandays of labor employed significantly affect the poverty incidence of farm households.
Farhad Lashgarara; Shaghayegh Ehtesham; Maryam Omidi
Abstract
One factor that has highlighted the role of agriculture in the economy is to make the marketing system of agricultural products more efficient. The main purpose of this study was to identify the requirements of marketing the organic pomegranate of Paveh, Kermanshah Province, Iran, from the perspective ...
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One factor that has highlighted the role of agriculture in the economy is to make the marketing system of agricultural products more efficient. The main purpose of this study was to identify the requirements of marketing the organic pomegranate of Paveh, Kermanshah Province, Iran, from the perspective of farmers. In order to identify contributing factors, an exploratory factor analysis was used. The population of this study consisted of the pomegranate growers of Paveh (N=2000) and 320 people were selected using the Cochran formula and a proportional stratified sampling method. The main research instrument was a questionnaire that was completed by interview. Validity and reliability were confirmed using the feedbacks of advisors through 0.78 Cronbach's alpha coefficient. The results showed that the requirements were classified in eight factors of motivational improvement such as informing, technical, policy, economic, marketing, infrastructure, management, and social– services and they could explain 87 percent of the organic pomegranate marketing variance.
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.
Nasiru Suleman; Solomon Sarpong
Volume 2, Issue 2 , June 2012, , Pages 79-84
Abstract
The increasing demand for rice in Ghana has been a major concern to the government and other stakeholders. Recent concerns by the coalition for African Rice Development (CARD) to double rice production within ten years in Sub-Saharan countries have triggered the to implement strategies to boost rice ...
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The increasing demand for rice in Ghana has been a major concern to the government and other stakeholders. Recent concerns by the coalition for African Rice Development (CARD) to double rice production within ten years in Sub-Saharan countries have triggered the to implement strategies to boost rice production in the government. To fulfill this requirement, there is a need to monitor and forecast trends of rice production in the country. This study employs the Box-Jenkins approach to model milled rice production using time series data from 1960 to 2010. The analysis revealed that ARIMA (2, 1, 0) was the best model for forecasting milled rice production. Although, a ten years forecast with the model shows an increasing trend in production, the forecast value at 2015 (283.16 thousand metric tons) was not good enough to compare with the current production of Nigeria (2700 thousand metric tons), the leading producer of rice of rice in West Africa.
Zabiholah Gholami
Volume 4, Issue 2 , June 2014, , Pages 81-86
Abstract
Rice comes second after wheat in Iran`s food consumption economy. However Iran is one of the greatest rice importer countries all over the world because of its rising population and recent growth in GDP. This paper presents an analysis of cointegration test between rice import and it`s economic factors ...
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Rice comes second after wheat in Iran`s food consumption economy. However Iran is one of the greatest rice importer countries all over the world because of its rising population and recent growth in GDP. This paper presents an analysis of cointegration test between rice import and it`s economic factors over the period 1990-2011, employing Engle-Granger model. At first, Dickey-Fuller test shows that all variables are non-stationary at data level, so their first differences (that are stationary series) are used. Secondly, Engle-Granger testing presents existence of a long-run relationship between rice import and it`s economic factors including per capita GDP, foreign exchange rate and domestic price. At last, rice import model was estimated using OLS method which proves that all independent variables are significant at high level and the sign of coefficients are consistent with theoretical expectations So that import of rice positively correlates with Per capita GDP, domestic price and negatively correlates with freight exchange rate. With respect to increasing demand for rice, government should keep domestic policies for the rise of rice production so that the need for import falls in the long-run.
Ahmad Yaghoubi Farani; Mehrdad Pouya; Masoud Samian; Adel Esmaeeli Salumahaleh; Khalil Mirzaei
Volume 3, Issue 2 , June 2013, , Pages 101-109
Abstract
The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of entrepreneurial characteristics of members of technical and engineering companies and agricultural advisory services on their willingness toward entrepreneurial activities. Entrepreneurship development plays an important role in job creation ...
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The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of entrepreneurial characteristics of members of technical and engineering companies and agricultural advisory services on their willingness toward entrepreneurial activities. Entrepreneurship development plays an important role in job creation process which can eventually lead to the achievement of sustainable development goals in agriculture. In Iran, a kind of rural advisory services named technical engineering companies and agricultural advisory services are legally accountable for agricultural extension and rural development issues. A survey methodology was utilized to collect data by using a questionnaire interview. The Target population of the study were all agricultural advisory personnel (N=50) currently working in Hamedan and Malayer townships. Results showed that there was no significant relationship between age, gender, educational level, and work experience of participants with their entrepreneurial tendency. However, self-confidence, work courage, teamwork spirit, motivation and creativity, competitiveness, self-help, law abiding character, risk-taking and job interest significantly affected the entrepreneurial tendency of participants.
Obe Bernardine Wuraola; Jenyo-Oni Adetola
Volume 1, Issue 3 , September 2011, , Pages 107-113
Abstract
For the purpose of sustainable exploitation of the fishery resources of Oni River, Ogun State, Nigeria, the fish biodiversity assessment was carried out. This was conducted by enumerating and identifying fish species composition, measuring the fish length, fish weight, assessing the fish abundance and ...
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For the purpose of sustainable exploitation of the fishery resources of Oni River, Ogun State, Nigeria, the fish biodiversity assessment was carried out. This was conducted by enumerating and identifying fish species composition, measuring the fish length, fish weight, assessing the fish abundance and biomass, determining the length-weight relationships and the length-frequency of the fishes. Altogether, 592 fishes were sampled comprising twenty-eight (28) species belonging to sixteen (16) families. The families identified included: Cichlidae, Mormyridae, Clariidae, Channidae, Malapteruridae, Gymnarchidae, Bagridae, Mochokidae, Polypteridae, Pantodontidae, Schilbeidae, Anabantidae, Osteoglossidae, Characidae, Notopteridae and Distichodontidae. The family Mormyridae was the most abundant with 163 members followed by Cichlidae with 161 members. The least represented family was Schilbeidae with only two (2) members. On the species level, Tilapia zillii had the greatest number of representation with seventy (70) members, followed by Oreochromis niloticus with fifty-eight (58) members.
Family and social enterprise
Marjan Vahedi; Homayoon Moradnezhadi
Volume 8, Issue 2 , June 2018, , Pages 113-123
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to study the feasibility of establishing agricultural processing industries in Ilam Province.A mixed research method (Dominant, Less Dominant and two-phase design) was used. A Delphi technique as qualitativeresearch method, and a descriptive-survey method for quantitative phase ...
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The purpose of this study was to study the feasibility of establishing agricultural processing industries in Ilam Province.A mixed research method (Dominant, Less Dominant and two-phase design) was used. A Delphi technique as qualitativeresearch method, and a descriptive-survey method for quantitative phase was applied. Based on the results of the Delphi panel, 65 different types of agricultural processing industries were identified to be appropriate for Ilam Province and were used in designing a questionnaire for the quantitative phase of the study. The statistical population of the quantitative phase comprised all agricultural experts working in the Jihad- Agriculture Organization of Ilam Province (N=85). From among them, and by using the Morgan Table, 70 individuals were selected through stratified random sampling and were studied by the questionnaire. In the quantitative phase, based on the variation ratio (VR), the respondents prioritized the agricultural processing industries for all counties of Ilam Province. Results of Kendall’s W test showed that there was agreement among the respondents about the feasibility of establishing agricultural processing industries in this Province.
Education and training
Seyed Davood Hajimirrahimi; Majid Valadan
Volume 10, Issue 2 , June 2020, , Pages 113-133
Abstract
The agricultural sector is the centerpiece of Iran's economic development and is capable of turning the nation into an industrial country. But, this requires agriculture to become knowledge-intensive whose prerequisites are the commercialization of technological achievements. The present study was carried ...
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The agricultural sector is the centerpiece of Iran's economic development and is capable of turning the nation into an industrial country. But, this requires agriculture to become knowledge-intensive whose prerequisites are the commercialization of technological achievements. The present study was carried out by a survey design to identify the effective constructs underpinning the commercialization system of the agricultural research achievements in Iran. The statistical population was composed of faculty members and instructors of institutes for agricultural research and education (IAREs) in Iran. The sample size was determined as 190 people that were taken by the proportional random sampling technique. The face validity of the research instrument was confirmed by 10 experts of research commercialization, and its reliability was estimated by Cronbach’s alpha. The results showed the involvement of three constructs in the process of the establishment and development of commercialization: i.e. ‘motivational-behavioral’, ‘structural-organizational’, and ‘contextual-environmental’. Different groups of membership in knowledge-intensive firms, membership in scientific associations, and participation in startups were significantly distinctive based on the participants’ opinions about commercialization. The level of knowledge and skills of those involved in the process of commercializing research achievements was found to be lower than average. Also according to the results, the respondents needed to be more familiar with technology transfer topics, teamwork techniques, national and international networking technology,science and technology growth parks and centers, intellectual property issues, and methods of successful commercialization of research achievements.
Farm Management
Sujeeta Sharma; Chandra Kant Dhakal; Binod Ghimire; Anuja Rijal
Volume 6, Issue 2 , June 2016, , Pages 123-130
Abstract
This study considered the production economics of coffee in Pakuwa village development committee of Parbat district, Nepal. Household Survey was done in June 2014. Data collection was done using semi-structured pre-tested questionnaire administered on 40 coffee producers selected randomly. Gross margin ...
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This study considered the production economics of coffee in Pakuwa village development committee of Parbat district, Nepal. Household Survey was done in June 2014. Data collection was done using semi-structured pre-tested questionnaire administered on 40 coffee producers selected randomly. Gross margin analysis, profitability index and the benefit-cost ratio was used to analyze the production economics of coffee in the study area. The results revealed coffee cultivation as a profitable enterprise in the study area. This is reflected by the gross margin of NRs. 90205.43 per hectare, benefit-cost ratio of 3.84 and profitability index of 1.23. Coffee sector alone contributed 16.26 percent of total household income showing positive sign for commercialization. The number of productive plants and cost on sapling were the most significant factor affecting coffee production. While keeping other explanatory variables constant, production function analysis resulted one percent change in number of productive plants and cost of sapling would increase the yield of coffee by 0.894 and 0.151 percent respectively. Further, increasing return to scale was observed in coffee production with value 1.26. Farmers explained more income from coffee and easy to sell as the major reasons of its cultivation. Lack of irrigation and lack of detailed knowledge about improved coffee production technology were ranked as production constraints whereas; low price and lack of processing facility stood as marketing constraints of coffee in the study area. Study resulted positive economic significance of coffee and this shows immense need of Government, NGOs, traders, and other line agencies to lay efforts on production and marketing management such that its quality production and household income can be raised.
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.
Ali Bagherzadeh; Fatemeh kazemzadeh
Volume 2, Issue 3 , September 2012, , Pages 149-155
Abstract
Sunflower is one of four main annual oil plants that cultivated in oil and nut varieties. This plant as an important and industrial food product and because of nutritional features and the potential for earning exchange has become a valuable product in foreign and inner markets and has a special position ...
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Sunflower is one of four main annual oil plants that cultivated in oil and nut varieties. This plant as an important and industrial food product and because of nutritional features and the potential for earning exchange has become a valuable product in foreign and inner markets and has a special position in agricultural sector. Khoy, by producing 40 percent of sunflower productions of country annually, is the greatest sunflower producer in Iran. The main purpose of this study is the analysis of the effects of inputs price liberalization on production of sunflower producers in this city. This study is according to a field research and cross-sectional data of 2009 have been used for it. Results show input price liberalization policy by increasing inputs prices and decreasing demand amounts of inputs, increases the production costs and decreases the production and totally it’s harmful for sunflower producers. For preventing negative effects of liberalization on production, adopting necessary policies such as merging small farms and making big ones to profit by economies of scale and increasing production and productivity with the resulted incomes from liberalization and spending them in scientific researches to produce with low costs are suggested.
Mohammad Shokati Amghani; Hesamedin Gholami; Nematollah Shiri; Hossein Shabanali Fami
Volume 3, Issue 3 , September 2013, , Pages 153-158
Abstract
The presence of women in social and managerial fields is one the indicator of social justice and development that leads to optimum use of capabilities and potentials of half of the country's rural population. In the recent years, establishing public institution of Dehyary by the Ministry of Interior ...
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The presence of women in social and managerial fields is one the indicator of social justice and development that leads to optimum use of capabilities and potentials of half of the country's rural population. In the recent years, establishing public institution of Dehyary by the Ministry of Interior have provided new opportunity for women presence in rural management. This study aimed to identify women’s participation obstacles in rural management in Iran, specifically in Dehyary. The statistical population of this study was 15-64 year – old females which were resident in rural areas of Oskou County. Applying a proportional random sampling and Cochran formula, 347 women were chosen to be surveyed as sample. A questionnaire was used for data collection, which its face validity was approved by a panel of experts and its reliability was calculated by Cronbach's alpha coefficient (a=0.84). The results revealed that, negative attitudes and believes in rural community is the most important obstacle for women to participate in rural management. Furthermore, factor analysis categorized obstacles for women participation in six factors including cultural, personal, supportive, job-related, religious and Economic constrains.
