مهنوش شریفی

The aim of this research was to identify and explain the functions and capabilities of facilitators to promote rural women's entrepreneurship so that the results can be used to integrate facilitation in agricultural extension. This survey research was conducted in rural areas of Galikesh county, Golestan province. The statistical population of this study included facilitators and rural women of Galikesh county. The respondents (n=204) were selected by stratified random sampling. The research tool was a researcher-made questionnaire that was developed based on the literature review and interviews with a group of key informants in the form of a tri-dimensional model; its content validity according to the opinions of the expert group, and its reliability by calculating Cronbach's alpha coefficient [α = .964, α = .960 ] and C.R. [.967, .962] was confirmed. According to the findings, most of the respondents evaluated the functions of facilitators (47.06%), the capabilities of facilitators (52.94%), and the facilitation impacts (46.57) at a moderate level. According to the Spearman correlation coefficient, there is a positive and significant relationship between the three components of facilitation functions, facilitation capabilities, and facilitation impacts. According to the structural model test, the research variables explain 75% of the variance of the dependent variable, the consequences of the facilitators' activities, and the independent variable of capabilities explains 58.9% of the variance of the mediating variable of functions.

Due to the multiplicity of actors and stakeholders as well as multiple and interdependent dimensions, understanding and managing the evolution of academic systems and their generational transition require a systematic approach and methodology. This institutional research was aimed at analyzing the ecosystem of entrepreneurial university in agricultural higher education based on an empirical case study. The case of study was Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, which initiated an institutionalized effort to transition to entrepreneurial university. This research was conducted using soft systems methodology. The required information was obtained through document analysis and semi-structured interviews with a sample of selected managers, faculty members, experts, students, and graduates. Some institutional improvement actions for entrepreneurial ecosystem development at the university were proposed using Problematic Situation analysis, Rich Image, CATWOE analysis, and Root Definitions of the entrepreneurial university ecosystem as key steps in the soft systems methodology process. In addition, the following key aspects of the problematic situation were identified through a qualitative narrative analysis: (1) failure of the university to foster entrepreneurial graduates to leverage the labor market; (2) lack of strategic planning in university agenda for balanced transformation and integrated infrastructure development, and comprehensive development of performance indicators; (3) the weakness of decent and integrated governance of higher education and the heterogeneity and asynchrony of the levels of this system; (4) lack of coherent structural development to promote entrepreneurship; (5) inappropriate university transition pattern: prioritizing entrepreneurial function in favor of functional deficiency and degradation of education and research functions of the university; (6) the challenge of forming an inclusive institutional social network based on an ego-centered and self-serving university. Lessons learned from this case experience of shaping an entrepreneurial university ecosystem illustrated the necessity of going through several interrelated challenges.

This research was conducted with the aim of qualitative explanation of a conceptual model for academic brand development in higher agriculture education, case of Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. This qualitative research was done by the descriptive phenomenological method. Data collection was conducted using semi-structured deep interview. Through theoretical sampling, 20 respondents were selected from the university community. The qualitative thematic content analysis was carried out to analyze the data. The findings of this research resulted in identifying and defining 116 indicators . The four-layer indicator set consists of 14 components. The first layer is the brand image of the university (brand equity); six components include brand awareness (5 indicators), brand association (6 indicators), brand superiority (5 indicators), brand emotional response or brand effect (6 indicators), brand identification (6 indicators), and brand resonance, including brand communication, loyalty, and support (with 9 indicators). The second layer, entitled University Experience, consists of three categories or components including relational-social Experience (8 indicators), personal development experience (9 indicators), and emotional experience (3 indicators). The third layer, or perceived service quality of the university, includes three components of educational quality (10 indicators), quality of life (8 indicators), and the quality of human and social relationships in the university or academic community (14 indicators) and the effects and outcomes of the university or the social presence of the university (14 indicators). The fourth layer, the perception of the quality of the host community of the university (place brand), is described with 10 indicators.

This two-phase research aimed to identify and prioritize alternatives of commercialization of university agricultural research. By a three-round Delphi study, the first phase was conducted in order to identify alternatives and criteria of alternative mechanisms for commercialization of university agricultural research. Using AHP, 6 alternatives and 8 criteria of commercialization of university agricultural research were prioritized in the second phase. Respecting these alternatives and criteria, a decision making tree was outlined. Data was collected through pair wise comparison 15 questionnaires filled by a sample of experienced agricultural faculty members and Expert Choice software used to analysis data. Based on the relative weight, the alternatives prioritized as: (1) Joint venture between university and industrial and private sector for developing and commercial exploiting of university research and technology, (2) Setting up a firm for commercial exploitation of university research and technology (Spin off), (3)Sale of intellectual property rights arising from university research, (4)Licensing patents arising from university research, (5) Delivering engineering and technical services and, (6) Setting up a firm by faculty members for commercial exploitation of university research and technology (start up or Spin out).

This research aimed to investigate role of social capital in promoting sense of place.This research was done by using questionnaire survey. The target population includes 26010 of rural people in Zabol County in which 310 people (heads of rural households) selected as samples of this research. Results showed that the sense of place of 27 %of respondents was measured at high level, 49% at mediate level and 24% at low level. According to correlation coefficient, there is a significant relationship between social capital and sense of place of respondents. The results of path analysis showed that social capital (with path coefficient 0.268) have most impact on final dependent variable, sense of place. Some variables such occupation situation (0.249) education (-0.216), receiving social services (0.207), experience of membership in local institutions (0.197), years of residence in village (0.308), immigration of family members (-0.188), and life satisfaction (0.156) are in next rank. Overall, according to the research findings, using participatory approach to promote social capital and to enhance integrated community development could be led to increase sense of place and sustainable settlement in the rural areas of Zabol county.

This research aimed to design a process model of commercialization of university agricultural research findings in Iran. Methodologically, this research was performed through a causal-correlation method and analysis of variance-covariance matrix. Statistical population of this research was consisted of all faculty members of the public agricultural faculties under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Scientific, Research and Technology (N=2030). Size of research sample was determined based on Cochran's formula (n=305). The respondents were selected through multi-stage random sampling and proportional allocation procedure. Discriminate validity of the researcher-made questionnaire analyzed using Average Variance Extracted (AVE) and Composite Reliability (CR). Using Structural Equation Model the research hypothesis was tested. As result of this research, according to path analysis, the commercialization process consists of seven stages, including formation of research and technology ideas, assessment of research and technology ideas, formulation of research and technology ideas, implementation of research and technology ideas, preparation for commercialization of research findings, execution and management of commercialization of research findings and maturation and evolution of process of commercialization of research findings.

Sense of place usually refers to the experience of a place, which is gained through the use of, attentiveness to and emotions towards the place. The concept of sense of place characterizes the complex connections people have with the environments they encounter. Thus, explanation of sense of place as phenomena in rural areas should be done from the perspective of rural people. This research aimed to explain the sense of place and to identify constraining and fostering influencing factors on sense of place among rural people. For reaching a deep and analytical understanding of this phenomena, a qualitative methodological approach (descriptive phenomenology) was used to collect, analysis and synthesis of research data related to rural people perceptions of sense of place and related influencing factors. The target population includes 26010 of rural people in Zabol County (including Sae-Ghalea, GAEM-Abad, Allah-Abad, Khomak, Gehantigh, Sarhadi, Jhalehi, Karbask and Mansouri villages) and the interviewees were selected through purposeful sampling technique (n=17). Semi-structured deep interviews were implemented in order to collect data. The data collection process was continued until reaching theoretical saturation and usefulness threshold of available information. Furthermore, concepts and theories from Relph, Proshansky, Canter and Steele were used in this research. According to Colaizzi's method, qualitative thematic content analysis was carried out to analyze the collected data. Findings of this phase, including representative codes, frequency and percent of each code are described and summarized in tables. The fostering and hindering factors of sense of place among rural people were categorized in several subjective categories, including: socio-cultural, service-welfare, geographical -ecological and economic factors. These results indicate that the places can be thought of as made up of a range of quite different types of factors which extend from the built environment to peoples emotional and psychological engagement with place. Thus, understanding the rural place involves physical, as well as sensory factors incorporated in rural peoples emotional and psychological engagements.

This descriptive and applied research was carried out with the purpose of identifying and categorizing barriers of commercialization of university agricultural research. This survey research was done by a three-round Delphi technique. Using purposive sampling approach (a combination of reputational and chain sampling techniques), 23 agricultural faculty members experienced in the purposeful commercialization were selected as the participants in this study. In the first round, 27 barriers in the way of the commercialization of university agricultural research were extracted applying a qualitative content analysis of participant's responses. In the second round, the integrated list of barriers was categorized in three groups, including (1) structural barriers (18 items), (2) behavioral process barriers (21 items), and (3) context- environment barriers (16 items). Cronbach alpha coefficient as the criterion of reliability was calculated between .69 and .81 for three categories of barriers in the second and third round, separately. In the third round, the three groups of barriers were analyzed through Topsis. As the results showed, most important barriers of commercialization of university agricultural research are: Low quality and little commercial capability of research findings (structural barrier), lack of an established procedure for commercialization of university research (behavioral barrier), and lack of appropriate accessibility to support services (contextual barrier).

Many issues of rural communities have social nature and therefore their solution requires innovative social solutions. From this perspective, social entrepreneurship can help to solve problems in rural communities, especially help to reduce poverty and inequality in these communities. Social entrepreneurship in rural areas is a means to alleviate social problems by creating innovative solutions and mobilizing the ideas, capacities, resources, and social institutions required for balance social transformation of rural communities. Social entrepreneurs can aid in developing an entrepreneurship ecosystem and sustainable business development model in rural areas while finding the right opportunities unique to the real needs of rural communities. The world has witnessed many successful experiences in the field of social entrepreneurship. Many of these social businesses have a significant contribution too empowerment of poor in local communities. Awareness of these experiences can inspire policy makers to formulate pro-poor enabling policies as well as entrepreneurs and investors to set up social enterprises in deprived areas. In this article as result of a case study review, concept of social entrepreneurship and its appropriateness for fostering development of rural communities has been introduced and a brief experience of Grameen Bank as one of the success stories of social entrepreneurship in the world is illustrated.

One of the main institutional traits of entrepreneurial universities is institutionalized effort for commercialization of knowledge and technology in order to enhance academic entrepreneurship and technological entrepreneurship. University research commercialization was known as process of transfer and commercial exploitation of research findings. This process is one of the strategies of entrepreneurial university and could be led to academic entrepreneurship, technological entrepreneurship and, knowledge-based development of the agricultural sector. Commercialization of university research as a process consists of several stages. Sort these steps in a continuous cycle to lead and manage the commercialization of academic research at universities and research organizations is essential. For that reason, several models have been developed in order to conceptualize this process. Due to the lack of a representative conceptual model, this review was done with the aim of formulating a conceptual model for the commercialization of agricultural university research findings through comparative review of developed conceptual models. The designed model consists of several stages and key actions associated with each stage.

Commercialization is a process to transform the research findings to products, process and services that can exchange in commercial mode. Commercialization of university agricultural research is infulencial factors affecting. The new issue of comercilization, there isn’t a clear understanding about its importance and necessity. Scince there is no process, organization structure and excutive mechanisms for Commercialization of university agricultural research. This paper will illustrate the context and necessity of Commercialization of university agricultural research and review the experiences of some universities and then will intoduce mechanisms of Commercialization of university agricultural research.

This study aimed at identifying and analyzing issues and challenges on the agricultural research and technology development under the national innovation framework. The survey consisted of two groups: agricultural researchers of Agriculture-Research and Education Organization and all faculty members of public agricultural faculties of Ministry of Scientific، Research and Technology. Using Cochran sampling formula and multi-stage sampling method، 188 researchers and 205 faculty members were selected in order to fill in the survey questionnaire. Using the SPSS، collected data analyzed based on explanatory factor analysis. Totally، factor analysis of three sets of issues and challenges on the agricultural research and technology development under the national innovation framework led to extract 13 factors، including agricultural structure and policy، infrastructure and resources of agricultural development، supportive services for agricultural development (level of agricultural development)، investment and capacity building in research and technology، management of research and technology development، research and technology productivity، research culture، networks for research and technology development (level of national innovation system)، agricultural research policy، impacts and effectiveness of agricultural research and technology development، integrated management of research and technology، institutional development for agricultural research and technology and systematic synergy of agricultural research and higher education (level of agricultural innovation system). Totally، these three sets of factors explained 64%، 75% and 73% of the total variances. Finally، using conceptual clustering for the extracted factors، a conceptual model of issues and challenges of agricultural research and technology development under the national innovation framework was presented.

In the recent years، significant changes have been occurred in rural areas. These changes are mostly concerned in agricultural employment and the necessity to transform its labour force to other sectors. Within the context of these developments، the governments have attempted to stimulate the economic diversification and the integrated development of rural areas، especially through the so-called “small enterprise”. There is consensus that the keys to promote rural progress are lied in development of rural enterprises in order to create new employment in rural areas and make diversification in the rural economy. Therefore، enhancing rural enterprises seems as a main strategy of fostering the sustainable rural development. Strategic policy-making for enhancing all types of rural enterprises، including family enterprises need to consider the constructed inter-correlated components of «rural family enterprise development» as a complex system، contextual variables، and related dynamics. This qualitative research was done with the aim to diagnose the development of rural family enterprises in Golestan Province. In order to obtain appropriate data to allow detect the obstacles and barriers for development of rural family enterprise، a qualitative exploratory study was undertaken using semi-structured interview with a low level of moderation. This qualitative study was based on a ‘‘grounded theory’’ approach، which provided an interactive framework for data analysis. Information was gathered through semi-structured interview with a selected sample (n=37) of family enterprise managers in rural areas the province. Purposed sampling technique by interviewing typical cases (such experienced and famous people)، snowball (persons who introduced by other samples)، opportunistic، and intensity cases (interview accessible samples and repeat interview to find completed information to ensure theoretical saturation and conceptual enrichment) were used. The in-depth interviews were digitally recorded and fully transcribed. Multiple coding process of grounded theory was used to analyse contents of the interviews. The data were initially coded into concepts and ideas emerging from the data and the literature review. In the first stage the interview texts were analysed and pertinent excerpts were assigned provisional conceptual codes. The next stage involved the search for relationships between conceptual labels and categories. The goal was to systematically develop and relate categories. In the final stage، categories were integrated and refined. Findings were formatted in a matrix structure، including open codes (105 codes)، axial codes، and selective codes. According to the subjective categorized codes (7 categories)، the main issues and constraints of development of rural family enterprises can be explained as: non-prosperous milieu of enterprise development in rural areas (unsuitable milieu for development of business in rural areas، unfavourable change in environmental conditions، undeveloped infrastructures)، un-developed market for rural enterprise (weak in marketing، inefficiency in local market، unfavourable trend in market)، inter generational transition and gap in transfer of values، skills and culture of rural family enterprises (lack of tendency among rural youth، problem and consequence of inter generational transition، inter generational gap in supplying business)، lack of formal institutionalized support (lack of solidarity and guild support، identity and formal position، educational services، formal support covering، integrated supportive plan and policy، and institutional inconsistency for supporting the business)، unsuitable interaction and synergy of family and the enterprise (improper influence of business on family structure and function، family conflicts and pressures influencing on business، unfavourable family evolution for business)، inefficient enterprise functions and production management (scant and unsuitable investment، weak ability in creating innovation، unfavourable capacity and bad conditions for production، inefficient management of labour force، problem to provide input for production، unfavourable productivity and inefficiency in performance، increased production costs، problem to provide enough capital)، and social pressures (reduced social capital in business milieu، unreasonable social expectations، effective social conflicts). Finally، the recognised conceptual constructs of rural family enterprise development was linked and the model of «diagnosis of rural family enterprise''s development» was diagrammed. This qualitative study has highlighted some key inhibitory factors influencing development of rural family enterprise. The results of this research revealed that diversity of influential dimensions and components are important for development of rural family enterprise. In fact، rural family enterprises didn’t act just as a economical firm، while they have socio-economic function which represent multi-functionality of the rural family enterprise. It should be noted that family enterprises in rural areas are affected enormously by the function and structure of families in different regions. Whereas the family in different regions doesn’t have the same function، so establishment conations، process and structures of family enterprise are different in the communities. It is clear from this research that there are distinguished differences between the family enterprises in the different communities، so there are context-based strategies to strengthen business and encourage entrepreneurship in rural areas. On the basis of this research results، we would argue that there is a need for a more strategic and coordinated approach towards building the entrepreneurial capacity in rural areas، based on a clear vision of the role that entrepreneurship can play in future a role for rural development. Given the structural and regional processes affecting the traditional economic activities of these areas، the case for producing rural entrepreneurship and enterprise strategies for rural regions has been given additional urgency.

As nations and governments call for economic growth، regional development and job creation in agriculture sector، it is increasingly expected from the higher agricultural education''s institutions to contribute to relevant and appropriate entrepreneurship education. Using a three-round Delphi technique، this research identified and prioritized alternatives and criteria of integrating entrepreneurship education in higher agricultural education curriculum. According to the research findings، five alternatives and five criteria were identified. The criteria were prioritized as: institutional/logistic feasibility; educational and pedagogical feasibility; accordance with vision and strategy of university development; enhancing entrepreneurship and self-employment capabilities of agricultural students (entrepreneurial capacity-building); and government''s policies of entrepreneurship in higher education and graduate employment. Also، based on coefficient of variation (C. V.)، the alternatives was prioritized as: an elective course of fundamentals of entrepreneurship and self-employment (for some majors)، a 3- credit course of agriculture entrepreneurship and enterprise development (for all majors)، a major in agriculture entrepreneurship and enterprise management (M. Sc. level)، establishment of an interdisciplinary department of agricultural entrepreneurship and agribusiness in agricultural faculty، andextracurricular training and counseling services in entrepreneurship and enterprise. Finally، the alternatives were categorized in three main alternatives of entrepreneurship education in higher agricultural education.

This survey research was conducted to analyze and prioritize a set of driving and restraining factors influencing academic entrepreneurship. A researcher-made questionnaire was developed with two main parts, consisting of driving and restraining factors. The face and content validity of the questionnaire was established using a panel of agricultural faculty members who were experienced in academic entrepreneurship. A pilot test was conducted to determine questionnaire reliability based on Cranach’s alpha calculation (calculated for two parts α =.71 and α =.76, respectively). The statistical population consisted of faculty members of public agricultural faculties under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Scientific, Research and Technology (N=2030). Using Cochran’s sampling formula and multi-stage sampling method, 145 faculty members were selected to fill the questionnaire up. Using SPSS, collected data were processed on the basis of explanatory factor analysis. Factor analysis of driving factors, extracted six components. The first factor, professional approach to academic entrepreneurship, explained 17.32%, the second factor, institutional development for academic entrepreneurship, explained 13.650%, the third factor, provision of supportive services for academic entrepreneurship, explained 10.00%, the fourth factor, promotion of entrepreneurial culture, explained 9.50%, the fifth factor, teamworking in academic entrepreneurship, explained 7.54% and the last one, regional capacities of academic entrepreneurship, explained 6.46% of the total variances (64.50%) of drivers. Also, theexplanatory factor analysis of restrainers extracted five factors called non-institutionalization of the academic entrepreneurship in university management strategy, none-entrepreneurial approach to career development, lack of support for academic entrepreneurship, lack of utilization of entrepreneurial opportunities in agricultural sector and deficiency of resources and infrastructures for research and technology development. These factors, totally, explained 55.61% of the variances of restrainers.

Despite the importance of research and development, yet relatively little research have been noted and considered with regard to the management and application of the research findings. In such circumstances, research institutes and universities all over the country are bound to move toward the commercialization of their research findings in line with knowledge-based economy and in order to achieve national sustainable development goals. From the perspective of professional development, this qualitative research was done with the aim of identifying the professional skills and required skills of agriculture faculty members for university research commercialization and suggests appropriate procedures to enhance the required professional capabilities.

This research was done based on survey strategy with aim to study the effects of information sources and communication channels on adoption of “Integrated Pest Management (IPM)”. Validity of the questionnaire، as data gathering instrument، was confirmed by selected experts and Coronbach Alpha coefficient (0/87 - 0/79)، used to confirm reliability of the questionnaire. The population of this research included all rice growers in Droudzan district. A representative sample was selected (n=90) by Cochran formula and simple random sampling method was applied to choosing the sample. According to research findings، neighborhoods، agricultural input providers، field visit of IPM was prioritized as information sources and communication channels that more used by rice growers. Calculated coefficients of correlation indicated a significant relationship between cultivated area، Level of education، being model farmer، agreement for decreasing pesticide usage rate، agreement for possibility of naturally control of pests، and usage of information sources and communications channels. Regression of variables was led to a linear equation، including visit agricultural input providers، agricultural expert، neighborhoods، field visit of IPM، cultivated area and being model farmer، explained 63% of variance of Adoption of Rice Integrated Pest Management.

This qualitative research was carried out to identify barriers to development of agro-enterprises. The required information was collected, based on the framework of research protocol and twelve leading questions, by a semi- structured interview and a sample of 43 entrepreneurs and managers of small agro-enterprises. The content of interviews were analyzed by content analysis technique and the results of this process was the extraction of 107 items representing the barriers to development of agro-enterprises. A complete list of items was categorized, in relation to their conceptual affinity, to five thematic classes as follows: natural factors; production factors; complexity of nature and process of agro-businesses; development of agricultural markets; and environment and context of agro-enterprises. The results indicated that the following barriers have the highest frequency: incidence of natural calamities; low quality of existing inputs in the markets; time lag between making the initial investment and profit realization; fluctuations in agricultural markets in relation to imports, exports, pricing policies, and market regulation; and difficult requirements to access bank credits.

This survey research was conducted to investigate the professional facilitation competencies of agricultural extension experts. The statistical population of the study consisted of all extension practitioners working in different provincial extension departments of the Ministry of Jihad-e-Agriculture. Using Cochran's formula, 232 extension practitioners were selected as sample using multi-phase method. Content validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by a panel of extension experts of ministry of Jihad-e- Agriculture and agricultural extension and education faculty members of the University of Tehran. Calculated Coronbach Alpha coefficient as an indication of the questionnaire’s reliability for the main parts of questionnaire (three categories of facilitation competencies in terms of both importance and current status) stood in range of 0.83 – 0.87. The data was analyzed through SPSS software. The findings revealed that the extent of competencies of facilitation of most of the respondents (80%) was from medium to relatively low. Calculated correlation coefficients indicated that there was a significant positive correlation observed between on agricultural extension expert’s competencies of facilitation and job record, collaboration in research-extension projects, field visits, membership in cooperatives, taking courses in facilitation field, participation in extension forums, record of being extension educator, as well as experience as facilitator. The results of a comparison with T-test indicated that there was a significant difference observed between competencies of facilitation of respondents as based field major, being a native extension agent, having taken course in facilitation field, experience as facilitator. According to ANOVA (F-test), there was a significant difference observed between measures of competencies of facilitation of respondents as based organizational unit, as well as the level of education.

This survey research was conducted to investigate facilitative attitude of extension practitioners and analysis related influencing factors. The statistical population of the study consisted of 2961 extension practitioners working in different provincial extension deputies of ministry of Jihad-e-Agriculture. Using Cochran's formula, 232 extension practitioners were selected as sample using multi-stage method. Content validity of the questionnaire confirmed by a panel of Extension Experts and Faculty members of the University of Agricultural Extension and Education. Calculated Coronbach Alpha coefficient as indication of questionnaire’s reliability for scale of facilitative attitude was equal to 0/90. The data was analysis with SPSS software. According to research findings, the most of respondents (58%) have a fairly facilitative attitude. The result of the multivariate regression indicated that 50% of facilitative attitude as dependent variable variance explained by the five independents variables that involved in linear equation, including: field visits, taking course in facilitation field, collaboration in research-extension projects, job record, and record of membership in cooperatives and local organizations. Through a path analysis diagram, direct and indirect effects of these independent variables on facilitative attitude were indicated.

Through survey method, the first phase of the research was conducted to identify the strategic orientations regarding the improvement in Iran's agricultural research system. The population of the research consisted of agricultural researchers of Iran Agricultural Research & Education Organization (AREO). Applying Cochran sampling formula and multi-stage sampling method, 152 research workers were selected to fill in the questionnaire prepared as the research tool. Using SPSS 10, collected data were analyzed based on exploratory factor analysis. Five extracted factors denoted as: facilitating sustainable agricultural development; properly organizing the national agricultural research system; institutional reforms; capacity building; and functional enhancement totally explained 72.68% of the whole variances. Applying Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP), the extracted factors (as strategic orientations of Iran agricultural research system) were prioritized in the second phase of the research. Findings of this second phase indicated that facilitating sustainable agricultural development; providing the national agricultural research system with the proper needed organization; capacity building; institutional reforms; and functional enhancement with respective weights of 0.356, 0.308, 0.162, 0.104 and 0.070 were the factors of respectively the most priority of strategic orientations for improving the agricultural research system of Iran.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a dynamic, integrated approach involving a number of control techniques to manage pest populations in an ecologically sound fashion. IPM, as one of sustainable agricultural development components, is based on synergy of empowering farmers, environmental friendly technology and integrated farm management. Effective IPM extension needs identification and analysis of related principal components with aim to policy making and planning by farmers’ participation. Along with this comment, this research was done based on survey strategy with aim to studying farmer’s practices related to rice integrated pest management. Validity of questionnaire as data gathering instrument, confirmed by selected experts and Coronbach Alpha coefficient (equal to 79%-87% range for parts of questionnaire) used to confirm its reliability. The population of this research included all rice growers in Droudzan District of Marvdasht county and a representative sample selected (n=90) by Cochran formula. According to findings of factor analyzing of farmer’s practices related to rice IPM, three components were extracted. The first factor called the farming improvement practices factor explained 26% of the total variance. The second factor called the biological practices factor explained 15% of the variances. The third factor called physical-mechanical practices factor explained 9% of the variances. These factors, totally explained 50% variances of farmer’s practices related to rice IPM.

Nowadays universities are keen to play a more effective role in the development of their societies. Entrepreneurial education for enhancing entrepreneurial mentality in students is one of the new functions of universities and educational centers in meeting society's needs. So, an identification of entrepreneurial characteristics of students can help fostering goals of universities for planning and implementation of entrepreneurship-oriented programs. The purpose of this research was to investigate entrepreneurial mentality among students of Ilam Islamic Azad University. The research was carried out applying a descriptive-survey method. The research population consisted of students of Ilam Islamic Azad University. Using Random Sampling Technique, 115 students were selected. Instrument of data gathering was questionnaire. Methods of Cronbach's Alpha and Split-half were employed to determine the main scales of the questionnaire's reliability. The coefficients were found to be equal to 0.89 and 0.51 respectively, indicating a high level of reliability. Validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by expert's panel. Data analysis was accomplished using SPSS. The results revealed that mentality of ambiguity tolerance, need for achievement, risk-taking, creativity, and internal locus of control among most students while the need for independence amongst most students was low. A comparison of entrepreneurial mentality between newly admitted vs senior students indicated significant difference between these two groups. Male and female students differently benefited from creativity, the females enjoying more creativity than males. As regards other entrepreneurial mentality characteristics there is no significant difference observed between male and female students.