Analyzing Opinions of Kiwi fruit Growers in West Mazandaran Province in respect to Factors Influencing on Changing Cropping Pattern from Paddy and Citrus Culture to Kiwi fruit

The main purpose of this research was to analyze opinions of kiwifruit growers in west of Mazandaran province in respect to factors influencing on changing cropping pattern from Paddy and Citrus Culture to Kiwi fruit. The statistical population includes all 7867 Kiwi fruit growers living in village areas of west Mazandaran in Iran. A sample of 150 Kiwi fruit growers were selected by the use of “proportional random sampling” method. A questionnaire was used to collect data. Content validity of questionnaire was approved based on viewpoint of an expert panel. Cronbach's alpha was used to measure reliability of the index measuring factors influencing changing cropping pattern from paddy and citrus culture to kiwi fruit” that it,s extent was 0.90 and showed that mentioned variable had high reliability. According to factor analysis economic advantage, management of cultivation activities, accessibility credits facilities, compatibility with local agronomic culture conditions, irrigation management, labour and social pattern were recognized as the seven main factors that affect changing cropping pattern from paddy and citrus culture to kiwi fruit in the study area.