فصلنامه تحقیقات اقتصاد و توسعه کشاورزی ایران
سال پنجاه و سوم شماره 1 (بهار 1401)

This study aimed to estimate different types of technical, allocative, cost, income and profit efficiencies by using mathematical planning models and secondary data reported by the Ministry of Agriculture-Jahad, of irrigated and rainfed wheat farming in 26 provinces of Iran. The results showed that the average technical efficiency was 0.97; however, inefficiencies in inputs allocation reduced the cost efficiency to 0.81. East Azerbaijan, Khuzestan, Sistan and Baluchestan, Kurdistan, Golestan, Qom and Alborz provinces were on the efficient frontier in terms of technical, allocation and cost efficiencies. In terms of cost efficiency, the provinces of Kohgiluyeh and Boyerahmad (0.44), South Khorasan (0.56), Kermanshah (0.64) and North Khorasan (0.64) had the worst situation. According to the results, there was no significant difference between the studied provinces in terms of income and allocative efficiencies and the maximum productive capacity of the country through technical efficiency improvement was 336.3 thousand tons. This was equal to 7.3% and 0.9% increase in current production of dry land and irrigated wheat, respectively. It was expected that the reduction of dry-land wheat farming in Isfahan and South Khorasan provinces and in irrigated wheat farming in West Azerbaijan, Kohgiluyeh and Boyerahmad and Mazandaran provinces would play a significant role in improving income efficiency. According to the results, it was possible to increase profit in wheat farming up to 103.3%. Profit efficiency in wheat farming was 47.5%, indicating high technical efficiency (policy maker goal) and low profitability (farmers’ goal) was one of the important characteristics of wheat production in the country.

Rural youth are important sources of rural and agriculture development, and if they remain in their rural area, they can help reduce poverty in that area. One of the factors affecting the youth's survival in the village is the achievement of social wellbeing. In most studies, only the objective dimension of wellbeing has been addressed and the mental dimension of wellbeing has been neglected, while the subjective interpretation of youth from the environment and quality of life in the village which affects their decision on remaining in the village. Therefore, the aim of this research is to evaluate the mental well-being of rural youth and its effect on remain in rural. The statistical population of the study consisted of rural youths in Khoramabad Township (N= 1058). Research samples were selected using multi-stage cluster sampling method with using the Krejcie & Morgan table (n= 281). The results showed that the level of mental well-being of the majority of the rural youth was low and girls had a lower mean in terms of self-esteem, emotional intelligence and social intelligence. In addition, the results of regression analysis showed that income, employment status, access to health services, health status, access to recreational facilities, educational level, social Solidarity and distance from the cityare variables that affect the mental well-being of rural youth. Also, the results showed that there is a positive relationship between the wellbeing of the rural youth and their willingness to remain in the village.

From a systematic point of view, rural environments are in fact part of the main and influential elements at the national level in which the management of the relationship and connection of rural people with the environment and activities, gives a special shape to the rural sector and removes it from other settlements and made different life patterns. Therefore, in order to achieve sustainable rural growth and development and agriculture, it is necessary to recognize and create a change in the type of rural activity, which is mainly based on agriculture. Sustainable growth and development of agriculture are one of the most important goals of governments, which can be achieved through fundamental changes in the structure of agriculture, management, and proper use of various facilities and resources, as well as in the framework of practical and logical planning. Therefore, agricultural sustainability of the family exploitation system is related to the sustainability of the agricultural sector and the life of rural and even urban communities. It can be said that the exploitation system in any society is the most important issue of the agricultural sector of that society. Considering the fact that in Iran, structural barriers related to the agricultural system is the biggest obstacle to the development of the agricultural sector, because the exploitation system is its center and core. The most important exploitation systems in Iran are peasant and family small, production cooperatives, joint-stock companies. Among these, it is very important to pay attention to the home exploitation system and production cooperatives as the most important agricultural exploitation systems.

Livelihoods must be sustainable in rural living space. It means being able to deal with sudden and long-term crises, shocks and stresses now and in the future, Without undermining its resources and assets. In order to stabilize livelihood, it is necessary to pay attention to determining livelihood strategies. Therefore, the aim of present study designing A Model to Stabilization the Livelihood of Gardeners on the Shores of Lake Urmia Against Late Spring Cold, Using a Grounded Theory Approach. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 22 horticultural experts who were selected by purposive sampling and snowball sampling. After completing the interviews, the coding process was performed in three stages: open, central and selective, and a paradigm model of the research was developed using MAXQDA18 software. The findings indicate that categories such as management challenges, inability of small-scale gardeners to adapt to environmental changes, social challenges, lack of human resources in decision-making, economic challenges and lack of infrastructure development, as Causal conditions affecting the livelihood stabilization pattern of the studied gardeners against late spring cold were identified. Underlying conditions include categories such as equipment and infrastructure factors, specialized human resources, lack of comprehensive and integrated policy, lack of coordination in the implementation of affairs and planning, economic and cultural factors. The challenges of production, market management and its challenges, the need to pay attention to the programs of resistance economy, use of regional capacities, educational and extension factors and land fragmentation were identified as intervening conditions. Finally, in order to stabilize the livelihood of gardeners on the shores of Lake Urmia against the late spring cold, operational and executive strategies, educational and research, economic-livelihood and management were identified. In general, according to the research findings, stabilizing the livelihood of gardeners against late spring cold will have several consequences such as sustainable productivity, social justice, sustainable livelihood, sustainable market management and economic sustainability in the study population.

The proportion of residential electricity consumption in the total energy consumption has increased rapidly in the past decades all over the world. Understanding the role of psychological factors in the field of electricity protection behavior in promoting energy saving behaviors and reducing environmental pollution is very important for the sustainable development of a country. In this study, in order to investigate the factors affecting the behavior of electrical protection, the norm activation model was used. The statistical population of the study consists of rural households in Baghmalek and Hamidiyeh counties in Khuzestan province (N = 8450). Using Cochran's formula, a sample of 440 households was determined and households were selected by multi-stage random cluster sampling. The data collection tool was a questionnaire whose face validity was confirmed by experts including two groups of faculty members of the Department of Agricultural Extension and Education and experts of the Water and Electricity Organization. In addition, to determine the reliability of different parts of the questionnaire, pre-test and calculation of Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used, which was between 0.72 to 0.92 and was confirmed. In order to analyze the data for descriptive statistics, correlation and regression, SPSS (V20) software was used. The results of correlation test showed that the behavior variable has a positive and significant relationship with the variables of awareness of consequences, self-efficacy, situational responsibility, moral norm, awareness of needs, feelings of pride and guilt. In general, the results of this study showed that moral norms, feelings of guilt and feelings of pride affect the behavior of rural households towards electricity protection. The results of this study have important implications for policymakers who aim to promote a wide range of electricity -saving behaviors.

The aim of this study is to determine the optimal tariff for treated wastewater in the agricultural sector in the south of Tehran province. In order to achieve this goal, Used of positive mathematical programming (PMP) optimization method and the conditional valuation method (CVM) to estimate the conservation value. The required information was collected by completing 470 questionnaires by two-stage cluster sampling in the south of Tehran province in 2019. Based on the results, the cost price of treated wastewater was determined to be 21,523 Rial per cubic meter in Tehran province. Market price for each cubic meter of treated wastewater in Qarchak, Pishva, Rey and Varamin cities is 4444, 5556, 9778 and 5000 Rial respectively, value Marginal production is 10080, 15720, 17090 and 12370 Rial and willingness to pay of farmer 9474, 10136, 10173 and was determined to be 10671 Rial. Finally, by examining the conditions of market formation, the optimal tariff for treated wastewater in the south of Tehran province (PEWW) was determined to be 10,114 Rial per cubic meter. Due to the high cost price of each cubic meter of treated farmers are, it is suggested that the private sector enter the wastewater treatment market, because it can pay the difference between the cost price and the willingness to pay of farmers for the treated wastewater from government environmental assistance.

The research aimed to design an educational system for agricultural vocational schools based on the empowerment model. The research was an exploratory study in terms of goal and a qualitative-quantitative (mixed-methods) study in terms of methodology. In the qualitative phase, the theoretical literature was first explored to identify the factors influencing the educational system of agricultural vocational schools. Then, 12 education experts were selected by non-probability purposive technique to evaluate the factors by the Delphi technique. Finally, 39 indicators were identified within 8 components and 2 dimensions. In the next phase, the structural equation modeling by the third-order confirmatory factor analysis was employed in the SPSS23 and SmartPLS3 software package to establish the relationships among the dimensions, components, and indicators and develop a structural model. To measure the model from the trainers’ perspective in the quantitative phase, a questionnaire was developed and was filled by 120 trainers of agricultural vocational schools in the provinces of Tehran, Khuzestan, Fars, Qazvin, Mazandaran, and Semnan by the consensus technique after its validity and reliability were ensured. The results as to the main hypothesis of the study show that the pillars of the educational system are influential on the empowerment of the trainees. Also, results as to the minor hypotheses indicate that management system, educational process, educational content, technical trainer training, and structural space have positive and significant effects on the empowerment of trainers in agricultural vocational schools.

Wetland services include recreational use, harvested meat (as direct consumption values) and carbon sequestration, oxygen production, water conservation and soil conservation (as indirect consumption values). In addition to use values, wetlands have other values; these values are the sums that individuals are willing to pay to protect wetlands for future use, for future generations to enjoy them, and for their mere existence. In this paper, the value of goods and services of Hamoon Wetland ecosystem in Sistan region in the form of information functions (recreational and protective values) in 2019 has been estimated. The information needed to estimate the value of these functions was collected using a questionnaire. Recreational and conservation values of Hamoon wetland as the recreational value of forest ecosystem of Hamoon wetland, was collected by collecting information from 350 people randomly in the villages around the wetland and the conditional valuation method. Based on the obtained results, the value of recreational and protective functions of Hamoon Wetland was estimated at 629.82 million Rials and 644.2 billion Rials, respectively. In case of collecting fees from visitors in order to use the recreational function of the wetland and its cost to maintain the wetland, it is possible to develop and preserve its existing values.

Surveying of energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and their modeling using artificial intelligence methods in peanut production of Astaneh-Ashrafiyeh county of Guilan province were investigated in this research. The data used in the study were collected using a face-to-face questionnaire in 2019 production period. Results showed the total inputs energy and output energy were 19248 and 87210 MJ ha-1 with energy use efficiency as 4.53, respectively and the highest consumption of inputs was belonged to chemical fertilizers with 45%. Also, in production process, about 571 kgCO2eq. ha-1 was emitted that fuel with 57% had the highest share of emissions. The modeling results showed that in comparison with the results of artificial neural network, the performance of the ANFIS model is better in predicting the output energy and greenhouse gas emissions of peanut production.

Today, the need to engage in conservation agriculture is vital, but it was not been adequately paid attention by Iranian farmers. The promotion of agriculture as the main founder of this must have an active and appropriate presence, which undoubtedly faces countless strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Therefore, the present study aimed at designing an optimal conservation agriculture model in Kermanshah province. The research population in this section is the experts of the Conservation Agriculture Office and agricultural extension specialists. The identification of the samples was done purposefully and using the maximum difference method. Data collection tools are in-depth individual and group interviews and questionnaires and data analysis tools are SWOT technique. The findings showed that despite the weaknesses and threats, the presence of young experts, the low cost of implementing agricultural conservation, the existence of government credits for equipping could promote the conservation of agriculture in the Kermanshah province. According to the findings, the dissemination of knowledge and information required by the stakeholders of the agricultural sector such as farmers and consumers; encouraging the participation of international, national and local institutions and institutions and facilitating and collaborating efforts between the government and local organizations; providing special research and financial services in the field of conservation agriculture; and providing access for farmers with government funds and support were among the appropriate strategies in the field of promoting conservation agriculture in Kermanshah province.

Improving productivity to ensure food security is the most important goal of knowledge-based economy policy in Iran. An approach that is felt more and more in line with the challenges facing traditional approaches to production. In this regard, given the importance of wheat as one of the most important strategic products of the country, governments have always sought to improve productivity to ensure food security, through investment in R&D programs. However, success in research is essential to increase productivity. The present study tries to estimate the impact of cumulative benefits of successful breeding research on the total factor productivity of irrigated wheat of Iran during 1996-2017, by calculating the cumulative benefits of breeding research of 10 selected cultivars of Irrigated wheat. For this purpose, first, the total factor productivity index was calculated by the Trinquist-Thiel index. Then, the model of total factor productivity of irrigated wheat was estimated, using Almon Distributed lags Method. The results show that a one percent increase in the cumulative benefits of breeding research of selected irrigated wheat cultivars increases the total factor productivity by 0.19 percent. Also, a one percent increase in the extension investment of wheat varieties increases total factor productivity by 0.03 percent over six periods. Therefore, it is suggested that the improvement of educational and extension programs provide a context for farmers’ acceptance of Improved varieties by raising awareness.

The Ministry of Agriculture-Jahad, as one of the important centers for food security, plays a critical role in offering public goods and services to citizens. So, upgrading the level of organizational ethics in the ministry will improve the performance (agricultural development) and its social responsibilities. This study was an exploratory type; the qualitative part used the content analysis method and the quantitative part used the factor analysis method. Participants in the qualitative part consisted of elites and agricultural exports, and 12 people were interviewed until a saturation point was reached. In the quantitative part, the statistical population was top, middle, and basic managers of the Ministry of Agriculture-Jahad, of which 291 people were selected by stratified random sampling method. The findings of the qualitative part showed 75 Basic content themes, 13 organizer themes, and 6 comprehensive themes. The findings of the quantitative part showed that in the ministry of Agriculture-Jahad and dependent organizations, the dimension of "rules, procedures, and structure of the organization" was less than the expected frequency. According to the importance of governmental structures in the development of agricultural development, the promotion of the level of ethics at the Ministry of Agriculture-Jahad will facilitate the realization of the fundamental purpose of this organization, namely agricultural development.

Faculty members are considered to be the most valuable and vital assets of each university in the education system that can help the university to move towards a sustainable society and achieve it. For this purpose, the present study examined the individual competencies and sustainability education requirements of faculty members of Agriculture and Natural Resources. This study was conducted with an exploratory approach based on survey technique and a stratified proportional allocation techniques was used to collect data among 146 members of Alborz province's Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources and using questionnaire research tool. The findings of the research indicate that in order to properly develop teaching activities in educational centers about sustainability education having sufficient knowledge and better educational materials were identified as important factors in teaching and in order to reinforce education as a core function, practical experiences need to increase knowledge, experience and more information in sustainability education. In addition, in order to promote individual competence among faculty members, increased freedom and autonomy to achieve desirable results in the field of sustainability education were identified as important priorities.

The purpose of this research was to identifying and prioritising key stakeholders in designing an environmental management system in crops units of governmental agro-industry companies in Iran, by using exploratory research design. After doing the literature review, main themes of environmental management system (DemingCycle) were identified and extracted by applying analytical-comparative method. In qualitative phase, by using non probability sampling technique (snowball) and semi-structured interviewing with 18 executive managers of governmental agro-industry companies, desirable indicators of design theme were extracted and the first step of stakeholders' analysis (identification of stakeholders) was completed. Accordingly, components of design theme were categorized in 13 indicators by using MAXQDA software: barriers, policy-making and planning, identifying key actors, institutional requirements, cooperation, inter-organizational interaction and communication, attention to environmental implications, market interventions, public education, Supportive factors, facilitators, infrastructures development, information technology (IT) development and research and development (R&D). In quantitative phase, stakeholders' analysis questionnaire was used for identifying 15 stakeholders' interest and power in 13 extracted indicators (based on Friedman model). In order to prioritizing and creating stakeholders' matrix, UCINET software (for creating Social networks and correspondence analysis) and SPSS software (for creating IPMA Matrix) were used. The results indicated that the five key Stakeholders: company's CEO, holding CEO, environment unit, agriculture deputy and industrial and environmental protection unit were the most powerful and interested among other stakeholders.

Similar to the industry and services sector, there is now an increasing growth in the development of agricultural startups, and the universities can play a major role in creating and growing these types of new businesses due to their educational and research structure. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to identify the challenges of launching agricultural startups from the students' views. The statistical population of this research was consisted of all agricultural and natural resources' under-graduate and post graduate students of the Sari University in the same area of science(N=593). The sample size was calculated by the Cochran formula (n=210) which by proportional stratified random sampling method, the data was collected. The main research tool was a questionnaire which its facial validity was evaluated using the panel of experts and construct validity was measured by average variance extracted (AVE). Also, the reliability of the instrument was assessed by Cronbach's alpha for the main scale of the questionnaire (above 0.7). Exploratory factor analysis method was used to determine the structural factors and a confirmatory factor analysis method were applied to fit it. According to findings, the challenges of launching agricultural start-ups were classified into three separate groups: economic-market issues, personal-skills as well as administrative-legal affairs. These factors were able to explain 70.30 percent of the total variance. The result of this research can contribute to the universities and higher education centers in agriculture and natural resources to solve the identified challenges in order to improve the capabilities of their students and to create and let the students to enter this type of business.

In this study, a polynomial goal programming approach based on the mean-variance-skewness-kurtosis model is used to select the optimal portfolio based on different investor preferences structure. Then systematic risk is considered as a constraint in the model because of its importance in decision making. Extreme Downside Hedge is considered as the measurement of systematic risk. The data used in this study include daily stock price of selected food industry companies and market index for 2015-2019. The results showed that investor preferences influence portfolio selection and allocation of capital, so individuals can choose their portfolio based on their preferences. The risk entry into the model also indicated that given this limitation, portfolio selection would shift to the stocks of companies that are less affected by market volatility. Based on results, it is suggested that in future studies the model be developed based on other limitations such as different degree of risk aversion in decision making. The model can also be designed based on fuzzy logic and its performance be investigated under such conditions. Also, results of each estimation can be considered as an investment patern for individuals.

Climate change has impacted negatively on the agricultural sector in recent years, and small-scale farming units have grown increasingly challenging. The goal of this study was to look at the components of small-scale farming units vulnerability to climate change in Hamadan province. The research was conducted under a quantitative paradigm. The study's statistical population included 100 experts and subject matter experts from two rural cooperative organizations and the Hamadan Province's Agricultural Jihad Organization, who were surveyed using the census method and had their opinions on the vulnerability of small farming units to climate change received and analyzed. With the SMART PLS3 program, the gathered data were analyzed using the second-order factor analysis method based on the partial least squares methodology. According to the calculated indicators, the reliability and validity of the model were confirmed. In order to investigate the vulnerability components of small-scale farming units in Hamadan province in the face of climate change from a scale of 48 items with a range of five Likert options based on the type of vulnerability, these damages were classified into three social categories- Institutional, economic-technical and environmental. The results showed that the overall vulnerability of small-scale exploitation units in Hamadan province to climate change consisted of environmental damage (β = 0.950); Economic-technical damage (β = 0/921); Socio-institutional damage (β = 0.503) is affected which is known as the most significant explanatory factor of vulnerability of small-scale farming units in Hamadan province .