Development of good agricultural practice strategies in Lorestan province with the combined SWOT-AHP model

Good agricultural practice (GAP) is a certification system for agriculture, specifying procedures (and attendant documentation) that must be implemented to create food for consumers or further processing that is safe and wholesome, using sustainable methods. While there are numerous competing definitions of what methods constitute good agricultural practice, there are several broadly accepted schemes that producers can adhere too. The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) uses good agricultural practice as a collection of principles applying to on-farm production and post-production processes, resulting in safe and healthy food and non-food agricultural products, while taking into account economical, social and environmental sustainability. Introduction of GAP is particularly desirable when there is chronic overuse and misuse of agricultural pesticides. Governments seek to reduce the use of pesticides by promoting alternative methods of pest management, while at the same time ensuring a steady production of safe and wholesome food.

This research was carried out with the general aim of developing Good agricultural practice strategies in Lorestan province. In this research, using analytical studies and literature, the four points of SWOT i.e. strength, weakness, opportunity and threat were identified and prioritized using AHP technique. The statistical population of the research included experts and specialists knowledgeable about the subject in relevant organizations, including agricultural jihad, agricultural research center, environment, university and subject experts in Lorestan province. The sampling method of the study was in accordance with the principles of strategic research through targeted sampling, and finally 26 people were selected for the study. Data analysis was done in the form of SWOT-AHP technique using Expert Choice software.

The findings of the research showed that in the evaluation of the criteria, the points of threat, weakness, strength and opportunity were assigned the first to fourth priorities, and the weights obtained from the results of these points indicate the dominance of the risky environment over the useful. In addition, in the prioritization of strategic areas, the results showed that WT strategy means defensive strategy (minimum-minimum), ST strategy means contingent strategy (maximum-minimum), WO means adaptive strategy (minimum-maximum strategy) and finally The last strategy based on the SO axis is the aggressive strategy (maximum - maximum).

In general, the results of this research can provide new insights for policy makers in the field of agriculture and environment because a strategic plan has been developed in the field of developing appropriate agricultural operations.