An Analysis of Ecological Sustainability of Rice Farms in Shirvanchardavol County from the Viewpoints of Farmers

Any planning for agricultural sustainable development requires a realization of sustainable agricultural indices standings. Because of many farms in Shirvanchardavol County allocated to rice cultivation and also for the necessity of moving these farms in the direction of agricultural sustainability, the purpose of this research was chosen to analyze the ecological sustainability of Rice Farms in this county from farmer's viewpoints. A survey method was adopted to do the research. Using Stratified Proportionate Random Sampling technique, 136 farmers were selected. Instrument of data collection for the study was questionnaire. Cronbach's Alpha coefficient was used to determine the main scale of questionnaire's reliability which it was found to be equal to 0.87 and considered as favorable. Validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by an expert's panel. Data analysis was accomplished using SPSS. Results of Cluster Analysis indicated that 35.48 percent of ecological sustainability (subjective) indices were sustainable; 29 percent of indices comparativly sustainable; and 35.48 percent unsustainable, so a majority of the ecological sustainability (subjective) indices of the studied rice farms were among the sustainable