Identification and analysis of barriers to the development of sugar beet insurance in Mashhad County

Agricultural insurance as a means of the risk transfer is a very important tool. Sugar beet, as one of the most important crops in the country, has a cultivated area of about 100000 hectares. The area under cultivation of sugar beet in Mashhad was 750 hectares with about 27,000 tons production (yield equivalent to 36 tha-1) in 2018-19. On the other hand, sugar beet is one of the most important products in Mashhad, and every year a large part of its products is damaged due to natural, human and intentional hazards. The aim of this study was to identify and analyze the barriers of sugar beet insurance extension in Mashhad using the structural equation model in 2018. The study was based on descriptive-correlation method, data collection tool, questionnaire and the statistical population of the study consisted of beet growers in Mashhad. To determine the sample size, simple random sampling method and Cochran's formula were used. Finally, the sample size was estimated to 150 persons. In order to test the research hypotheses, Smart PLS software and path analysis model was used. The results showed that executive weaknesses with path coefficient of 0.166, land-related environmental weakness with path coefficient of 0.134, individual-knowledge barriers with path coefficient of 0.151, institutional inconsistency with path coefficient of 0.121, manpower shortage- Information with path coefficient of 0.152, administrative-expert weaknesses with path coefficient of 0.129, evaluation-procurement weaknesses with path coefficient of 0.101, problems related to damage follow-up with path coefficient of 0.102, dissatisfaction with non-payment of insurance and inappropriate behavior of experts with the path coefficient with path coefficient of 0.112, insurance costs with a path coefficient of 0.119 and unprincipled estimation of damage with a path coefficient of 0.104 have a positive and significant effect on the non-expansion of sugar beet insurance in Mashhad. According to the results, it is suggested to review the current process and to facilitate and accelerate the administrative framework and work process of compensating the victims.