Evaluation of environmental, economic and social Sustainability of crops (case study: Gorgan County)

The aim of this research is to assess and compare the sustainability of agricultural products at the regional level in Gorgan County. In this study to assess agricultural sustainability, data are collected by using face to face questionnaires (110) and Gorgan agriculture-jahad management. Also, for weighting the criteria and sub-criteria determining sustainability were used views of the specialist in agricultural economics, agricultural extension and education, environment and agronomy. The weight of sustainability criteria (economic, social and environment) based on specialist views were considered 0.35, 0.25 and 0.4 respectively. The results indicated that potato with a score of 0.276 is the most sustainable crop. In addition, wheat, rice and irrigated soybean respectively with the scores of 0.249, 0.245, and 0.23 are in the next priorities. Also, according to the social indicator, rice with a score of 0.266, according to the environmental indicator, irrigated wheat with a score of 0.421 and according to economic indicator; potato with a score of 0.412 had the highest sustainability level. Generally, economic sustainability was lower than social and environmental sustainability in the agronomy sector in Gorgan County. Based on the performance sensitivity analysis of sustainability by changing the weights of the environmental criteria over 0.46, the sustainability level of irrigated wheat will increase. Regarding research results to increase the sustainability level suggest the selection species with higher yield and the biologic strategies for pest management.