Analysis of gardeners’ attitudes towards establishing marketing cooperatives in Takestan township

This study is aimed to analyze the attitude of gardeners towards the establishment of marketing cooperatives. We used descriptive-survey technique was used to collect data. The statistical population includes all grape growers in Takestan. The sample size was calculated using the formula of Mendenhall et al and sample was selected using Randomly Stratified Sampling method. The data collection tool was a questionnaire that included two parts: scales for measuring research variables and personal and economic characteristics of gardeners. The face validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by five faculty members of Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University. To assess the reliability, Cronbach's alpha coefficient and combined reliability were used, which showed the acceptable reliability of the questionnaire scales. For mean comparison and correlation statistic tests, SPSS 24 software was used and for estimating the structural equations model, AMOS14 software was used. The results showed that in totally, 61.7% of the selected gardeners had a positive attitude towards the establishment of marketing cooperatives. Also, the variables of cooperative knowledge, the degree of cohesion and participation of local people, and understanding the existing obstacles and problems had a positive and significant effect on gardeners' attitudes toward creating marketing cooperatives. According to the research findings, providing educational programs using media that are suitable for gardeners in the region in order to increase gardeners' knowledge and awareness of cooperatives, as well as programs that increase the level of participation of local people can pave the way for successful marketing cooperatives in the region.