Measuring and evaluating the sustainability of the paddy farming system using the combined index method (A case study: Lahijan county)

 In the past decades, the increase in the use of high-yielding seeds, chemical fertilizers, pesticides and water, along with high production costs, has increased the yield of agricultural products significantly. This has led to an increase in dependence on the consumption of non-renewable inputs in the agricultural sector and environmental damage. Therefore, measuring sustainability and knowing the factors affecting it can play an important role in formulating sustainable agricultural policies and strategies. With this approach, the present study measures and evaluates the sustainability of the paddy farming system in Lahijan county.

 In this study, the required information was collected in the form of face-to-face interviews and by completing a questionnaire from paddy farmers in Lahijan county in the crop year of 2021. In addition, stratified sampling was used to determine the sample size. In the following, by using the combined index by the method of deviation from the optimal value, the optimal pattern for each farmer was determined; Finally, the hierarchical analysis process (AHP) was used to determine the weight of social, economic and ecological indicators.

The results of calculating the weight of indicators showed that ecological, economic and social indicators with weights of 0.558, 0.320 and 0.122, respectively, were the most important in evaluating the level of sustainability of the paddy production system. In addition, the results showed that the local and low-yielding cultivars had a more favorable situation in terms of sustainability indicators, and the farmers who benefited from agro-ecological management operations were at a higher levels in terms of ecological and economic sustainability as well as the overall sustainability. Besides, based on the results of the current study, farmers with single and concentrated lands had a more favorable situation in terms of economic stability and overall stability. Comparison of the management indicators also showed that the sub-index of agro-ecological management was the most important among the ecological sub-indices, and the rural participation was more important among the social sub-indices. Furthermore, the sub-index of gross profit margin had a higher relative weight among the economic sub-indices.

The results showed that participation in extension classes has a direct and significant effect on the sustainability of paddy cultivation, while the farmers who benefited from agro-ecological management operations were at a more favorable level of sustainability. Therefore, it is suggested to strengthen support services and sustainable operation skills among farmers and to encourage and promote more use of agro-ecological management operations at the farm level. Also, the results of the current study showed that farmers with single and concentrated lands had a more favorable situation in terms of economic stability as well as overall stability. Therefore, moving to larger farm sizes can have a positive effect on the sustainability of paddy cultivation.