سیدجمال فرج الله حسینی

Every country in the path of sustainable development needs capacity building and empowerment of human resources, organizations and environmental and ecological conditions, for this reason capacity building has a significant impact on the empowerment of people and groups. Smart climate agriculture is a method that focuses on agriculture and seeks to improve the productivity and income of farmers, in order to increase the productivity and adaptability of agricultural products in Iran, it is necessary to implement smart climate farming methods by building the capacity of human resources to make decisions and take action. Agricultural extension system is considered as one of the key tools for realizing sustainable development and has capabilities such as improving livelihoods, training farmers, establishing social justice, empowering farmers, and increasing production and productivity. Considering the importance of building capacity in the food supply and security sector, which is facing many threats day by day, the role of extension training in promoting agricultural innovations and new perspectives and training farmers in order to improve their knowledge, information and skills are considered the important and effective factors in capacity building and development of the agricultural sector of Iran.

In this research the statistical population of the research was formed by extension experts in the northwest of the country, which includes the three provinces of East Azarbaijan, West Azarbaijan and Ardabil, with 4256 people. The sample size was also calculated based on Cochran's formula (n=354). In this way, according to the number of centers in each province and proportionally to the size of the statistical population and the sample size from each province, the required sample was randomly selected according to the number of employees in that provinceTo address the research problem and objectives, a questionnaire was developed as the primary research tool, consisting of four sections, seven items, and 31 questions tailored for experts in agricultural promotion and development. Aside from questions on personal and professional characteristics (gender, age, major, education level, work history, organizational position, employment status), all items were presented on a five-point Likert scale (1: very low, 2: low, 3: moderate, 4: high, 5: very high). In this research, to determine the face validity of the questionnaire, it was approved by the opinions of the research committee as well as managers and experts of agricultural extension and education after several stages of modification and revision. In order to measure construct validity, average variance extracted index (AVE) was used using SmartPLS software. To determine the reliability of the questionnaire, Cronbach's alpha and composite reliability coefficients were used, and for this purpose, 25 questionnaires were completed by a group identical to the research group. In this research, two main and secondary independent variables were investigated. Our dependent variable in this research is "smart climate agricultural development" (12 items) which are influenced by two independent variables including educational factors and promotion factors. Structural equation modeling (SEM) method was used in this research.

Results and Discussion :

Education, promotion, and capacity building of human resources are essential strategies for sustainable development (Sulaiman, 2021). Therefore, building human resource capacity is critical for the economic growth and prosperity of any country (Notenbaert et al., 2017). In analyzing the eight hypotheses, Table 8 shows that the path coefficients for infrastructural, economic, social, organizational, cultural, educational, legal, and technical factors in the capacity building of extension experts for the development of smart climate agriculture are 0.120, 0.115, 0.114, 0.168, 0.143, 0.132, 0.147, and 0.104, respectively. Additionally, the t-statistics for these coefficients are 3.087, 3.120, 3.123, 7.17, 2.710, 2.468, 4.002, and 3.267, all exceeding the threshold of 1.96, indicating significance at the 5% error level. The model estimates suggest that infrastructural, economic, social, organizational, cultural, educational, legal, and technical factors have a positive and significant impact on capacity building among extension experts in developing smart climate agriculture. In general, based on the results obtained in the current research, it can be said that the identification of factors that create and facilitate the development of extension experts' capacities is very necessary and necessary for the development of smart climate agriculture. Research findings show that infrastructural factors, economic factors, social factors, organizational factors, cultural factors, educational factors, legal factors and technical factors have an effective and significant role in building the capacity of extension experts in the development of smart climate agriculture. In fact, increasing and improving the capacity of extension experts has direct and indirect benefits for the members of the Jihad Agricultural Organization and the villagers, and increases cooperation and interaction between them. The findings of this research help the policy makers and planners to identify the weaknesses and shortcomings to improve the performance of the Agricultural Jihad Organization and achieve the objectives of the Extension Unit. The analysis of the factors in this study helps to get a better understanding of improving the capacity of extension experts and consequently, it helps to increase the income, productivity and food security of the people with the development of smart climate agriculture.

For data analysis, the method of structural equation modeling with the approach of partial least squares based on PLS3 software was used. Therefore, first, in order to enter the structural equation modeling test, it is necessary to make sure that the data is normal or not. By using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk tests, the normality of the data can be checked, and this test is performed at the 95% confidence level, in other words, it is our significance level. According to the findings in Table 6, the significance level (p) for each variable is less than the threshold of 0.05 (P < 0.05), indicating that the null hypothesis (H0) is accepted, while the alternative hypothesis (H1) is rejected. This suggests that the research variables do not follow a normal distribution. To assess normality, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk tests were employed, conducted at a 95% confidence level, aligning with the significance level of the study. Before proceeding with factor analysis, it was necessary to confirm the adequacy of the data. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) index and Bartlett's Test of Sphericity were used for this purpose. As shown in Table 7, the sample size adequacy (KMO = 0.988) and the significance of Bartlett's test (652.537) both indicate that the sample is suitable for factor analysis. To investigate causal relationships between the research variables and assess the fit of the data to the conceptual model, structural equation modeling (SEM) was applied. Specifically, this research utilized partial least squares (PLS3) for hypothesis testing and model fitting. Figures 2 and 3 present the results from the software output, following the testing of the conceptual model. According to the results of Table 8, the results of the significant coefficients for each of the hypotheses, the standardized coefficients of the paths related to each of the hypotheses, and the results of the examination of the hypotheses are presented. According to Figures 2 and 3, it can be said that the standardized coefficient (path coefficient) between the variables (educational, infrastructural, economic, social, technical, organizational, legal, cultural factors with smart climate capacity building) is significant, so at the 99% confidence level Hypothesis H0 is rejected and hypothesis H1 is confirmed, and it can be concluded that educational factors; infrastructural; economic; social; technical, organizational; legal; culture have significant effects on the capacity building of extension experts in the development of smart climate agriculture, and therefore the eight hypotheses are confirmed. GOF criterion: To evaluate the model, the GOF criterion is used, which three values of 0.01, 0.25 and 0.36 are introduced as weak, medium and strong values for GOF. According to Table 6, the GOF is 0.865, confirming the very good fit of the overall model.

Community agriculture supports a relatively new economic-social model in the production, sale and distribution of food in order to increase the quality of food products and protect the land, plants and animals. The purpose of this research is to investigate the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of community-support agriculture in the village of Gazledara in the Central Province. The current research is one of the popular applied researches that was conducted by field method and using a questionnaire. The statistical population of the research included elite and leading farmers in Gezeldare village, and the required information was collected through a questionnaire and analyzed using SPSSv.25 and Excel software. The results of the SWOT research showed that from the respondents' point of view, the most important weakness of the studied region in the field of community-support agriculture is "high production risk in agricultural work due to the climatic conditions of the region", the most important strength in the field of community-support agriculture is "the availability of water resources and Abundant and suitable soil for the development of agricultural activities in the village ", the most important opportunity for the development of community agriculture - the support "neighborhood and proximity to the markets of the big cities of Tehran, Qom and Arak and a long history of establishing commercial relations with these centers" and finally the most important threat Facing the development of community-supporting agriculture, there is a "lack of clear, efficient and up-to-date agricultural information systems to inform the market opportunities of agricultural products".

Drought is an inevitable phenomenon known as a natural disaster. Iran has not been immune to this damage in history.

The purpose of this study is to identify drought management and thus provide solutions to drought management. At first, individual, social, economic, educational, technical and policy indicators were surveyed in villages of Ardakan city with the highest drought. The statistical population of this research is Ardakan farmers (N=3130), of which 418 samples were collected by Cochran sampling method for collecting information through a questionnaire. A questionnaire was used to collect the data and for its reliability, the preliminary test was confirmed by completing 30 questionnaires and the Cronbach's alpha coefficient for its different parts was calculated to be between 0.702 and 0.805.

The results of stepwise regression analysis indicate that social and cultural indicators explain 46.1 percent of variance dependent changes (drought management) and have been considered as the most influential indicator in this research.

In the field of social and cultural indicators in the direction of drought management, it is suggested that by promoting the culture of using water and using cultural and promotional tools during drought among farmers and also providing conditions for providing better drought management information to the villagers Help manage the drought as best as possible through communication channels.

Saffron is one of the important products in South Khorasan province, which plays a major role in earning income and ensuring the livelihood of farmers in the region. The main purpose of the current research is to investigate the role of the saffron business cluster in rural development in South Khorasan province. This research was conducted in the period of 2018-2019 and the statistical population consisted of 987 managers, assistants and marketers of saffron processing workshops and sales centers in South Khorasan province. The results of data analysis indicate that economic and social factors had a positive effect on the level of development at the confidence level of 0.95. On the other hand, in the economic variable, the item "commercialization of saffron product" is the first priority, and the item "transportation, packaging, marketing costs of saffron product" is the last priority, and also in the variable of social factors, the item is "innovation motivation for saffron product producers". In the first priority and the item "investment risk for saffron product" is in the last priority. Therefore, it is possible to propose the commercialization of saffron product with a leading brand, the creation of a coherent network from the village to the market, financial and credit support of the government, facilities with low bank loan rates to farmers and saffron workshops, and the creation of rural development policies.

The purpose of this research is to model scenarios for the protection of underground water resources in South Khorasan province in drought conditions.

In this regard, this problem was followed using the system dynamics approach and the behavior of the reference variable "Volume of underground water resources of South Khorasan Province" was simulated against different scenarios during the years 2013 to 2014 through the use of Vensim software. The required information was collected by referring to relevant organizations such as South Khorasan Regional Water Organization, South Khorasan Agricultural Jihad Organization and Iran Statistics Center, and the input data of the model was called into the model in the form of an Excel file.

The results of the research showed that applying the control scenario of water resources exploitation in normal drought conditions and drought with low intensity is useful, but applying this scenario in drought conditions of more than 20% will have negative effects on the economic indicators of the agricultural sector. Also, the fourth scenario of the cultivation pattern (emphasis on strategic crops) along with the fifth scenario of the cultivation pattern (drought-resistant crops) have brought the least pressure on underground water resources. Nevertheless, considering that cultivation pattern No. 4 has created the least added value, it cannot be an efficient pattern.

According to the results of the research, if the severity of droughts increases in the coming years, but the current agricultural conditions of South Khorasan province continue in terms of cropping patterns, droughts will not have an effect on economic indicators, because in these conditions, farmers By breaking the ground and extracting more from underground water sources, they will compensate for the lack of rainfall and will show the negative effects of drought on the stock of underground water resources. Considering the effect of the cultivation pattern on underground water resources and economic indicators, it is necessary to think of measures to change the cultivation pattern.

Drought is a complex natural catastrophe with no universally accepted definition. Each definition reflects the differences in regions, needs, and disciplinary approaches. Some consider the definition of drought as an agricultural drought that has become a serious threat to food security while deeply affecting production and farmers’ livelihood. Farmers in some regions have greater exposure to drought than others, and farmers in each region face their own unique set of challenges. As a result, coping behaviors and strategies used by different farmers are very different than their risk management. Recent efforts have recognized the importance of applying risk reduction behaviors, both during and after the drought, to prevent environmental problems. It would be necessary to focus on the promotion of appropriate drought management practices among farmers to achieve a more sustainable and environmentally alternative livelihood where pro-environmental behavior is set as a core factor. Thus, when investigating a sustainable alternative livelihood where pro-environmental behavior is set as a core factor, it is necessary to focus on the promotion of drought management practices among smallholder farmers. Further, using institutional drought management mechanisms as effective factors to improve sustainable livelihood under drought is very appropriate.

From a holistic sustainable livelihood perspective, these mechanisms might be divided into three categories: integrated drought risk management, comprehensive reduction of damages, and control the consequences based on indigenous knowledge, that reduce vulnerability and attempt to change the surroundings under drought. Thus, in this study, we aim to use the Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) to explain farmers’ pro-environmental behavior, and we subsequently apply our conceptualization of the PTM to explain the effects of pro-environmental behavior as well as some institutional management mechanisms to achieve a sustainable livelihood in the Borkhar-Isfahan region of Iran. The PMT, a general theory of persuasive communication that incorporates individual and social factors, provides a set of predictors for human behavior, which balances two main processes, threat appraisal and coping appraisal. The threat appraisal process involves individual assessment of threat levels and includes two constructs: a) perceived severity and b) perceived vulnerability. In this study, perceived severity is conceptualized as the degree to which smallholder farmers perceive the effects of drought. The coping appraisal process also involves individual assessment of internal and external factors and includes three constructs: a) self-efficacy, b) response efficacy, and c) response costs. Farmers perceived self-efficacy have a positive and direct effect on their actual farming and non-farming practices in a drought. Response efficacy refers to an individual's belief; in this case, farmers evaluate the types of adaptive behaviors and various measures to deal with the threat. However, in this study, based on the research framework, farmers’ pro-environmental behaviors are influenced by two threat appraisal factors, and three coping appraisal factors. Furthermore, sustainable alternative livelihood is directly determined by pro-environmental behavior and institutional management mechanisms.This paper specifically focuses on a semi-arid region of Borkhar-Isfahan region of Iran, and smallholder farmers living in Borkhar region are generally some of the most ecologically, socially, and politically marginalized people. The population of this study was comprised of rural smallholder farmers who produce agricultural and horticultural crops under drought between 2018-2020. According to the Isfahan Agriculture-Jahad Organization, there are about 3666 smallholder farmers in the two districts of Borkhar, which consists of 12 villages (N=3666). The study sample consisted of 293 farmers, based on Cochran’s formula, and was selected through stratified random sampling (n=293). Data were collected with a questionnaire consisting of four sections: 1) demographic characteristics, 2) pro-environmental behavior, 3) institutional management mechanisms, and 4) sustainable alternative livelihoods. The sub-scales were developed based on a 5-point Likert scale. The questions of these sections werederived from the research framework, confirmed by the previous studies and then modified to fit the objectives of this study. The questionnaire validity and reliability were measured through a pre-test. Then, descriptive analysis was done using SPSS and to testing the research model, this study also used the partial least squares (PLS) technique of Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) using Smart-PLS.

Results show that self-efficacy, perceived vulnerability, and response efficacy have significant positive effects on the farmers’ pro-environmental behavior under drought. Moreover, self-efficacy has the greatest direct role in explaining farmers’ pro-environmental behavior. Also, based on confirmatory factor analysis, “ability to implement best practices to improve farm management” accrued the highest loadings and is the main indicator for explaining self-efficacy. Furthermore, the results revealed that perceived vulnerability significantly influenced farmers' pro-environmental behavior. Based on confirmatory factor analysis, “possible threat to food security” is the main indicator for explaining perceived vulnerability. Thus, understanding vulnerability to environmental issues raises farmers’ awareness and attitudes toward prevention effects; therefore, when farmers’ perceptions of vulnerability are very high, it increases the likelihood of an adaptive response. Our results also show that perceived severity and response costs have a significant negative influence on the farmers’ pro-environmental behavior. Threat appraisal is based on weighing the benefits of not engaging in pro-environmental behavior under drought. Thus, the greater the severity of the risk perceived by individuals, the more it reduces the likelihood of drought coping behaviors. Also, the study showed that response costs have a negative effect on pro-environmental behavior. So, whenever response costs decreased, the higher perceived costs of pro-environmental practices reduce the probability of protective behavior. Therefore, when a farmer evaluates the implementation of an environmental behavior as laborious, expensive, unpleasant, time-consuming, he will be reluctant to implement it. The findings further show that farmers' pro-environmental behavior and integrated drought risk management are the main predictors of achieving a sustainable alternative livelihood. Moreover, conservation of natural habitats and biodiversity, and providing the necessary training to increase farmers’ knowledge and skills, were found to be highly important indicators that enhance sustainable livelihood under drought. Therefore, concentrating on efforts and shifting the focus to these indicators lead to increased farmer’s livelihood resilience in the long run.

Mismanagement and uncontrolled abstraction of water resources, especially in the agricultural sector, with the allocation of more than 90% of water consumption, will exacerbate the water crisis and the continuation of this process will make it catastrophic in the future.The present study investigates the effect of changing cultivation patterns on the sustainability of water resources and agricultural production in West Azerbaijan province.

This research has modeled two effective water resources subsystems hydrology and economic by using statistical data from 1991 to 2017, and the main variables were simulated up to the horizon of 1430. After calibration by simple genetic algorithm and verification under extreme condition tests, the scenarios of the current cropping pattern, low-consumption cultivation pattern and economic cultivation indicators, groundwater sustainable index (SUI) and water Exploitation index (WEI+), the impact of scenarios was evaluated.

The results indicated that the continuation of the current cultivation pattern reduces the volume of groundwater by 93/34% and the available surface water by 20% to the horizon of 1430; While the low-consumption cultivation pattern with a reduction of 52.88% in agricultural water demand by eliminating crops with high water requirements (beets) and allocating the cultivation area to crops with low water requirements (barley and canola) and increasing fallow by 10%, in addition on 53.72% improvement of water productivity, it  increases the potential of groundwater 13.69 times and the available surface water 2.45 times, and with a positive effect on the sustainability Index (SUI) and water Exploitation Index (WEI+) Groundwater stability and creates the least water stress in the horizon of 1430. Therefore, in order to sustain water resources, cropping pattern policies should focus on low-use cropping pattern.

Due to the growing population in cities, one of the most neglected issues is the urban agricultural development. This study seeks to investigate the impact of economic, social, cultural and managerial mechanisms on the development of urban agriculture in the Kraj city. This research is of applied type and after presenting the basics of the subject and research background, the data obtained from the distribution of the questionnaire in the statistical population of 127 experts have been analyzed using Smart-PLS software. Based on the results of this study, the KMO number (greater than 0.7) and the significance number of Bartlett test (<0.05sig) indicate the appropriate factor analysis for the data. The results of this study indicate the appropriateness of all questions in the process of factor analysis and because the number of subscriptions to the questions is more than 0.5, the validity of the questions has been confirmed. Also, after analyzing the results in this study, it was found that four assumptions of this study, including economic mechanisms, social mechanisms, cultural mechanisms and management mechanisms and related items have affected the development of urban agriculture in Karaj.

Drought phenomenon stands as one of the most significant challenges of the contemporary era, exerting its influence on all ecosystems, including rangelands, at both global and regional scales. The heightened vulnerability of pastoralists underscores the necessity of embracing the concept of resilience. This research aims to investigate existing studies on the resilience of pastoralists under drought conditions and to propose a comprehensive model. A systematic review methodology was employed in this study. The findings of relevant domestic and international research were systematically analyzed using the seven-stage method of Sandelowski and Barroso. Based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, 30 studies were examined. The Waltz and Bausell method was employed to assess the validity of the extracted data. The reliability was also assessed through the Kappa coefficient, yielding a value of 0.87, indicating excellent agreement. The research results led to the formulation of a comprehensive model comprising seven factors: economic, social, individual, institutional, physical, educational-promotional, and ecological. Among these factors, the economic factor emerged as one of the most influential. The resultant model, identifying the factors that impact the resilience of pastoralists under drought conditions, provides the potential for enhancing crisis management, reducing vulnerability, and establishing the necessary groundwork for nationwide rangeland planning.

One of the important products in South Khorasan province, Iran, is saffron, which can play a significant role in the lives of farmers, rural development, and agricultural development. The main objective of this study was to investigate the role of saffron business clusters in rural development in South Khorasan province, Iran, during 2019-2020. The study population consisted of managers (n=100), deputies (n=50) and marketers working in workshop on processing of productions (n=150) and saffron sales centers (n=687) in South Khorasan province. A total of 987 people participated in the study. The dependent variable of study was the role of the saffron business clusters in rural development, and also the independent variables included economic and social factors. The results demonstrated that the factors had a positive effect on the level of development in a 0.95% confidence level. Therefore the commercialization of saffron product by creating a strong brand, the design of a coherent network from the rural area to the market, financial support from the government, facilities with low bank loan interest rates for farmers and workshops on saffron, and the creation of rural development policies are recommended.

The world today is facing the problems of population increase, urbanization, increasing need for food, decreasing water resources and environmental destruction. Urban agriculture, as a part of urban activities, is considered an opportunity to make positive changes in the world's food system and produce high-quality food. Therefore, the current research was conducted with the aim of designing a model of the urban agricultural effect on food security in tehran metropolis. The statistical population of the research consists of all learners participating in the urban agriculture training courses organized by the General Department of Education of the 22 districts of Tehran in 2018 (N = 726). The sample size was determined by using Cochran's formula, 164 people, and stratified random method with proportional assignment (according to the areas where they work among the 22 areas of Tehran municipality) was used for sampling. Data analysis was done using Smart PLS3 software.  According to the calculated indicators, the reliability and validity of the model were confirmed. The results showed that based on the model of the effect of urban agriculture on food security in Tehran city, urban agriculture explains a total of 0.85 of the dependent variable changes in food security. Also, the results of the investigation of the components of the dimensions of urban agriculture and food security indicate that the dimension of urban agriculture is, in order, of economic (β=0.975), environmental (β=0.967), social (β=0.963) and psychomotor functions, respectively. (β=0.851), is affected. that the aforementioned functions are considered to be the explanations of urban agriculture in Tehran Metropolis and have a significant effect on this phenomenon. The components of food security include access (β=0.970), use (β=0.969), sustainability (β=0.952), availability (β=0.939), and safety (β=0.914), which have the greatest effect on food security in order of priority.

Small-scale farmers face several obstacles to achieving small-scale integrated commercial agriculture. This study, in a descriptive-analytical method, investigates the barriers to small-scale integrated commercial agriculture. The statistical population involved all paddy farmers in Gilan province (N = 180106), that the sample size (n=422) was determined using the Krejcie and Morgan table in stratified random sampling method. The research tool was a questionnaire whose validity was confirmed by a panel of experts, and its reliability was confirmed by Cronbach's alpha coefficient (0.89). Data analysis was performed by SPSS software and path analysis by Smart PLS software. The results of path analysis showed that the extension barriers have a direct effect on small-scale agriculture (β= 0.441) and integrated commercial agriculture (β= 0.401) and indirect effect on small scale integrated commercial agriculture (β = 0.541) and indirect (β = 0.91). According to the t value, the research hypothesis about extension barriers can be concluded that the effectiveness between independent and dependent variables is significant. Based on the results, the use of informed extension agents, reducing the non-extensional tasks of extension agents, and helping local organizations to reduce intermediaries are essential factors in removing obstacles to this type of agricultural system.

Today, the renewable energy utilazation is considered as one of the most important ways to environment conservation and achieve sustainable development. Therefore, this study has been conducted with the aim of investigating the design of Pattern for renewable energy utilization in rural areas of Zanjan province. The study population was consisting of rural households that were covered by new energy technology in Zanjan province that according to Krejcie and Morgan sample determination table, 210 of the households were selected as samples. A questionnaire was used in quantitative research. Reliability and validity of survey instrument was evaluated. Face and content validity of the questionnaire had been confirmed by panel of experts and key informant before the pre-test stage. The reliability of instrument was assessed by conducting a pilot study among 30 samples out of the original sample. The reliability of instrument for the all sections based on Cronbach's alpha coefficients value (in the range of 0.72 to 0.90) shows acceptable level of internal consistency. Data analysis was performed by SPSS24 and AMOS22 software. The collected data was analyzed using structural equation modeling technique. The results based on direct structural model showed that there is a positive significant relationship between educational, socio-cultural, political and environmental factors with the dependent variable of renewable energy utilization and these variables explained 37% of variances of dependent variable. But there was no significant relationship between economic and technical factors with the renewable energy utilization.

Social entrepreneurship knowledge is critical for transforming the development of rural society and can be a good ground for the development and empowerment of women in rural areas. This study aims to analyze the factors affecting the entrepreneurship of rural women and present a paradigmatic model of social entrepreneurship development of rural women in Varamin County. The research method used in this research was qualitative, and among the conventional qualitative methods, the Grounded theory method was used. Participants included 11 experts and women entrepreneurs who were members of the Rural Micro Credit Fund of Varamin County who were selected and studied using the purposive sampling method. The primary way of data collection was semi-structured interviews that continued until the theoretical saturation point was reached. MAXQDA 12 software was used for data analysis and information processing. Internal validity of the research was measured using professors' points of view and long observations, external validity was measured by describing the obtained data, and the reliability of the study was measured by the triangulation method. The results showed that the most important critical aspect in social entrepreneurship is the socio-cultural aspect and then psychological aspect, economic aspect, environmental aspect, technology aspect and legal-political aspect, respectively. The relationship between the influential factors and the development of women's social entrepreneurship was presented in a paradigmatic model. A paradigm model including the components of causal conditions, contextual conditions, intervening conditions, interactive strategies and consequences for the development of social entrepreneurship of rural women was presented

Ecotourism entrepreneurship is one of the methods of empowering rural women by relying on the local capacity and potential of the living area. The purpose of this study is to identify the main factors in entrepreneurial behavior of rural women in Fars province using the qualitative paradigm of Grounded theory. The statistical population of this study is experts and specialists in the field of rural women and entrepreneurship in the office of development of agricultural activities of rural and nomadic women, The Agricultural Jihad Organization of Fars Province, as well as other experts, is composed of other organizations of the Ministry of Jihad Agriculture. Using targeted sampling and snowball sampling, 23 experts were selected as the statistical sample. The research tool was based on in-depth and structured interviews. Data of analysis of the study was conducted through employing the software MAXQDA-10. Based on interviews with 493 concepts, 15 central categories were identified, which were placed in the form of a 6-dimensional paradigm model of Strauss and Corbin. By carefully examining these categories, the main categories of ecotourism entrepreneurial behavior with three sub-categories(Individual, social and economic), Causal conditions with two sub-categories (external and internal factors), context conditions with two sub-categories (macro policies to support eco-tourism businesses and acceptable security for tourists), Intervention conditions with three sub-categories (cultural acceptance, social capital, multifunctional ecotourism approach), Strategies with three sub-categories (empowerment of rural women in the field of rural and nomadic tourism, holding exhibitions and festivals, supporting women entrepreneurs in the field of ecotourism) and Outcomes were categorized into two categories (positive and negative).

One of the appropriate solutions for agricultural development and prevention of waste is the creation of conversion and complementary industries. Lack of attention to innovation causes these industries to have no access to global markets. Indigenous knowledge in managing innovation in agricultural processing can be responsible for the development of agricultural products. The present article has been compiled to present an "analysis of the role of indigenous knowledge in comprehensive innovation management for the development of palm conversion and complementary industries in Kerman province in order to provide employment and income conditions for gardeners by improving conversion and complementary industries." The present study is applied research and in terms of research method, it is a survey. Its statistical population includes 200 farmers in Kerman province who are working in the field of marketing, packaging and processing of date products. The sample size was calculated based on Cochran's formula of 155 people. In order to answer the research problem, a questionnaire was designed as the main research tool and SPSS and AMOS software were used to analyze the research results The present article has been compiled to present an "analysis of the role of indigenous knowledge in comprehensive innovation management for the development of palm conversion and complementary industries in Kerman province in order to provide employment and income conditions for gardeners by improving conversion and complementary industries." The present study is an applied research and in terms of research method, it is a survey. Its statistical population includes 200 farmers in Kerman province who are working in the field of marketing, packaging and processing of date products. The sample size was calculated based on Cochran's formula of 155 people. In order to answer the research problem, a questionnaire was designed as the main research tool and SPSS and AMOS software were used to analyze the research results.

Dams can produce electricity and ensure water security, but at the same time they radically alter the hydrological regime of rivers with significant consequences for the economic and environmental welfare of the region in which they are located. consequences of constructing dams in most parts of the world have become controversial. The aim of this research is to explore the consequences of heightening Ekbatan dam wall on Living conditions of the villagers living downstream of the dam social and economic condition. The consequences of constructing this dam are more remarkable in downstream area in terms of geographical situation. The research data were obtained using a field survey and through a questionnaire completed by 150 inhabitants in the downstream villages. To investigate the economic and social consequences of heightening dam wall on the living conditions of the villagers living downstream, Bayesian structural equations were used and a model was presented. Based on the research results, social indication (Bayesian coefficient =0.919)had the greatest affected living conditions of the villagers living downstream of the dam

The share of agricultural sector in West Azerbaijan province, Iran from surface water abstraction is 91.2%. Excessive consumption of water resources, drought and destruction of agricultural lands, dependence of work and livelihood of 1.2 million population of province on the agricultural sector, the adoption of long-term development plans, have intensified the water crisis in agricultural sector. Therefore, managing the consumption of surface water is essential. This study investigates the effect of agricultural, economic, policy-making, climatic, socio-cultural and educational scenarios on management of surface water consumption and availability.

The present study is an applied research has been carried out using the dynamic system approach in order to achieve sustainable management of water resources in West Azerbaijan province. First, the statistical data from the previous years (1991-2018) are entered into the system using Excel and SPSS software. Then, the dynamic system model is developed in VENSIM software. To ensure the efficiency of the model in evaluating policies, the model validation test is performed. After making sure that the model works efficiency, population growth scenarios with different fertility rates, PS1 (2.11 children), PS2 (1.95 children), PS3 (1.5 children) and PS4 (2.6 Children) and climatic scenarios with a probability of 20% annual rainfall reduction, continuation of the current rainfall trend and 20% annual rainfall improvement are introduced to the model. Additionally, investment scenarios with the aim of 0.5% improvement in the annual irrigation efficiency and the crop scenario such as low-consumption cultivation pattern are introduced to the model. Moreover, the impacts of participatory and education scenarios, are simulated up to the horizon of 2051.

The results showed that in the validation test there is a high correlation between the simulated values ​​and the observed values ​​of surface water, and the model is effective in evaluating policies. Upon continuation of the rainfall current trend, available surface water decreases by 3.76% during the simulation period (2018-2051). Droughts intensify with a decrease of 20% of annual rainfall due to the direct effect of rainfall on runoff, available surface water is reduced by 20.54%. The largest decrease in the surface water content is related to the scenario of reduced rainfall (-20%) together with the scenario of increasing fertility rate (ps4), which cause a decrease in the available surface water by 46.15%. Population growth has increased the total water consumption and even agricultural water demand by 27% over the 2051 horizon. Simultaneously using low-consumption cultivation pattern scenarios, investment to improve irrigation efficiency, participatory activities and training programs to improve water management, water consumption decrease by 29.20% and agricultural water demand from the surface water decrease by 31.37% under these conditions, the available surface water improves by 9.12% to the horizon of 2051.

The results showed that, it is necessary to review population scenarios at the national level. Also, the agricultural scenario of observing the pattern of low-consumption cultivation with reducing water demand per hectare is known as the best scenario and its application has increased the available surface water by 2.45 times.Keywords: Water resource management, Economic/policy-making scenarios, Climatic scenarios, West Azerbaijan province

The share of agricultural sector in West Azerbaijan province, Iran from surface water abstraction is 91.2%. Excessive consumption of water resources, drought and destruction of agricultural lands, dependence of work and livelihood of 1.2 million population of province on the agricultural sector, the adoption of long-term development plans, have intensified the water crisis in agricultural sector. Therefore, managing the consumption of surface water is essential. This study investigates the effect of agricultural, economic, policy-making, climatic, socio-cultural and educational scenarios on management of surface water consumption and availability.

The present study is an applied research has been carried out using the dynamic system approach in order to achieve sustainable management of water resources in West Azerbaijan province. First, the statistical data from the previous years (1991-2018) are entered into the system using Excel and SPSS software. Then, the dynamic system model is developed in VENSIM software. To ensure the efficiency of the model in evaluating policies, the model validation test is performed. After making sure that the model works efficiency, population growth scenarios with different fertility rates, PS1 (2.11 children), PS2 (1.95 children), PS3 (1.5 children) and PS4 (2.6 Children) and climatic scenarios with a probability of 20% annual rainfall reduction, continuation of the current rainfall trend and 20% annual rainfall improvement are introduced to the model. Additionally, investment scenarios with the aim of 0.5% improvement in the annual irrigation efficiency and the crop scenario such as low-consumption cultivation pattern are introduced to the model. Moreover, the impacts of participatory and education scenarios, are simulated up to the horizon of 2051.

The results showed that in the validation test there is a high correlation between the simulated values ​​and the observed values ​​of surface water, and the model is effective in evaluating policies. Upon continuation of the rainfall current trend, available surface water decreases by 3.76% during the simulation period (2018-2051). Droughts intensify with a decrease of 20% of annual rainfall due to the direct effect of rainfall on runoff, available surface water is reduced by 20.54%. The largest decrease in the surface water content is related to the scenario of reduced rainfall (-20%) together with the scenario of increasing fertility rate (ps4), which cause a decrease in the available surface water by 46.15%. Population growth has increased the total water consumption and even agricultural water demand by 27% over the 2051 horizon. Simultaneously using low-consumption cultivation pattern scenarios, investment to improve irrigation efficiency, participatory activities and training programs to improve water management, water consumption decrease by 29.20% and agricultural water demand from the surface water decrease by 31.37% under these conditions, the available surface water improves by 9.12% to the horizon of 2051.

The results showed that, it is necessary to review population scenarios at the national level. Also, the agricultural scenario of observing the pattern of low-consumption cultivation with reducing water demand per hectare is known as the best scenario and its application has increased the available surface water by 2.45 times.

The present research was conducted with the aim of investigating the role of educational-promotional and social factors affecting the development of saffron business clusters in South Khorasan province. The statistical population of the research consists of managers, assistants and marketers of saffron processing centers and saffron sales centers of saffron business clusters in South Khorasan, whose number is 987 people. The sample population was equal to 278 people, and the necessary information was collected using a questionnaire. SPSS and AMOS software and structural equation analysis were used for data analysis. The inferential findings of the research showed the complete compliance of the measured factors with the existing theoretical models and the complete consistency between the theoretical constructs and the experimental constructs of the research. Accordingly, the educational role of promotion in the theoretical model was confirmed in ten dimensions and the social role of promotion in five dimensions in the final models. In the educational sector, the most important items affecting the development of saffron business clusters are "holding specialized seminars and familiarizing investors with the capacity of saffron", "establishing internal and external exhibitions to display saffron products" and "using virtual networks to advertise saffron products." " and in the social sector, the most important factors affecting the development of saffron business clusters are "creating culture about the place of saffron in the household food basket" and "investment risk for saffron product".

Economic development requires investment in various sectors, including agriculture. Without investment, employment growth, production and socio-economic prosperity cannot be expected. Many developing countries and Iran are facing a shortage of capital and financial resources and need to attract foreign direct investment to compensate for their lack of capital and financial resources. The purpose of this study is to identify the effective indicators of the economic factor in attracting foreign investment. The statistical population of the research includes parliamentarians, elites active in the field of financial economics and agriculture, and a group of professors who specialize in both academic fields and are related to foreign investors, and there are a total of 100 people. The results of the research show; Of the 21 indicators studied, all economic indicators are effective in attracting foreign investment, but the "degree of market economy" or the principle of free trade is the most important. Then the indicators of "increasing the profitability of agricultural activities", "exchange rate stability" and "domestic financial market stability" and the three indicators of "agricultural sector growth rate" and "domestic private sector investment in agriculture".

This study explored the application of Narver & Slater's Market-Driven orientation scales on development of the extension, training and educational programs for rural women in the Kurdistan Province. This study used the Narver & Slater market orientated scale as a theoretical framework of the research and the casual-correlation research method was used as a research method. The statistical population of this study was agricultural agent who worked in both government and non-government organizations in the Kurdistan Province (N=504). Based on Cochran formula, a sample of 216 was selected for the study. The instrument used was a researcher-made questionnaire. Considering the 15% probability of non-response, the researcher distributed 248 questionnaires in the statistical population by stratified proportional sampling. The validity of the questionnaire was reviewed and confirmed by a group of experts and theta reliability coefficient (81/0-0/88) was used to determine the reliability of different parts of questionnaire. Structural equation modeling was used to determine scales influencing the development of market based educational extension program by AMOS24. The results showed that three market-oriented variables and innovation had direct and positive effects on development of market based educational extension program.. Therefore, it can be said that in order to achieve market-driven research goals, attention to innovation and market-oriented components of Extension training and education programs should be given serious attention.

Total Innovation Management as a new paradigm includes five components: innovation culture, organizational structure, technology management, innovation strategy and innovators. The present article has been compiled to present an "analysis of the role of Total Innovation Management in date conversion and complementary industries of Kerman province in order to provide employment and income conditions for gardeners by improving conversion and complementary industries." Applied research is a survey in terms of research method. Its statistical population includes 200 farmers in Kerman province who are engaged in marketing, packaging and processing of date products. The sample size was calculated based on Cochran's formula of 155 people. In order to answer the research problem, a questionnaire was designed as the main research tool and SPSS and AMOS software were used to analyze the research results. The research results showed that between the development of conversion and complementary industries of dates and Dimensions of comprehensive innovation management there is a significant correlation.

This study examined the major effective factors on sustainability and continuity of private extension services from the perspective of public sector experts in Qazvin and Zanjan province based on the Structural Equation Modeling. The population of this study comprised public sector experts who worked in Agricultural Extension Services Centers in Qazvin and Zanjan provinces (N=241). The study sample consisted of 148 public sector experts selected through stratified random sampling. A questionnaire was utilized for data collection. Validity was confirmed by face validity, convergent validity, and content validity and reliability was calculated using Composite Reliability and Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Data was analyzed using Smart-PLS software based on Partial Least Squares approach. The findings showed that the infrastructure, education & extension, and economic factors had the most positive and significant effect on the sustainability and continuity of private extension activities from the perspective of public sector experts in Qazvin and Zanjan province, respectively. Due to the impact of the infrastructure factor, the organization of private extension network by the Agricultural Jihad Organization at first and the implementation of supportive policies to set up consulting start-ups such as information, education and culture to accept the culture of private promotion in the region, and accept A portion of the private promotion fee is offered.