International Journal of Agricultural Management and Development
Volume:13 Issue: 3, Sep 2023

Shahid Rajaei is a very high potential agro-industry for agricultural production in the Khuzestan region. In this study, the challenges and factors hindering foreign investment in this agro-industrial Shahid Rajaei and in order to be aware of the impact of the challenges extracted from Exploratory factor analysis (which includes technical, economic, infrastructure, socio-cultural challenges, policy-making) on ​​the level of foreign investment in Shahid Rajaei agro-industry and regression analysis were performed according to the quasi-distance scale of variables. Based on the results, it can be said that among the independent variables that have played a significant role on the dependent variable of foreign investment level in Shahid Rajaei agro-industry, three variables: policy factor, technical factor and infrastructure factor are the most important independent variables affecting the research dependent variable that explains 53.5% of the research dependent variable (level of foreign investment in Shahid Rajaei agro-industrial integration).

North Aari woreda farmers’ training center service lacks an effective leadership role. It is expectable that leaders need to effectively organize human efforts and material resources by aligning them with organizational objectives to achieve higher productivity than mere preaching unpractical words.This study assessed the challenges of leadership in transforming FTC services in North Aari woreda. The study employed a descriptive research design. For the quantitative study, 92 sample respondents were involved by stratified simple random, and qualitative data were gathered by interview and FGD with 12 leaders and SMSs who were purposively selected. Descriptive analysis was employed for the quantitative data by using SPSS software (version 23). Accordingly, the finding of this study revealed that weak capacity building, inconsistency of leaders’ actions with their words, and unable to manage the perception of their followers were found as major challenges that impeded leaders from transforming FTC services in the North Aari community. Moreover, adequate DAs, local leaders, and free extension services for farmers were prospects for leaders. Finally, the researcher recommends; short- and long-term capacity building, changing the mindset of leaders, DAs, and farmers, allocating budgets for FTCs, and strengthening agricultural extension linkages between FTCs, research centers, and farmers.

Despite numerous studies on multifunctional agriculture, the development of this practice in developing countries, including Iran, remains uncertain. The purpose of this qualitative study was to analyze the underlying factors limiting multifunctional agriculture in western Iran. The study population consisted of 12 purposefully selected experts and farmers involved in multifunctional agriculture in Dehloran Township, Iran. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, following a root cause analysis approach proposed by the American Society for Quality (ASQ). The analysis of the interviews identified 19 direct causes categorized into six groups, along with 234 superficial causes. Additionally, 12 root causes that significantly impact the problem were identified. Using the GUT (Gravity, Urgency, and Tendency) decision matrix and Pareto diagram for scoring and prioritizing, eight key root causes emerged: Absence of research laboratories. Inefficient supervision of agricultural processes. Lack of guaranteed support for all agricultural products in the region. Failure to promote multifunctional agriculture. Failure to formulate strategic policies based on regional conditions. Inefficient policies for training multifunctional agricultural experts. Lack of targeted support plans. Inadequate policy-making to support multifunctional farmers. By addressing and rectifying these root causes, not only can superficial causes be eliminated, but also the development of multifunctional agriculture can be expedited.

Today, export growth for countries is a key to re-creating the economy. Export development is at the top of government priorities and policies in almost all developing countries. Furthermore, there is ever-increasing attention to the importance of exports in developed countries. The purpose of this research is to provide a strategic model for the development of the export of agricultural products in Tarom city and to provide a conceptual model for the development of the export of agricultural products. To collect data, semi-structured interviews were used, and data analysis was carried out using the Strauss and Corbin method. The sampling was done with the benefit of targeted and snowball methods, based on which interviews were conducted with prominent experts in exporting agricultural products. The results of the data analysis obtained from the interviews, during open, central and selective coding processes, resulted in a strategy for developing agricultural products export based on database theorizing. Based on the systematic approach in the database theory, the identified codes were placed in six core classes. The results of the research showed that the causal factors include factors affecting production, institutional factors (government, legal and legal), marketing and sales, economic, financial and banking factors and competitive factors; Background factors including infrastructural and logistical factors, scientific, technological and knowledge factors (innovation); Intervening factors (cultural factors, political and international factors), strategies (short-term, medium-term and long-term) and consequences including financial and non-financial consequences at both macro and micro levels; affect the development of export of agricultural products.

The poisoning of farm workers with pesticides is a common job hazard caused by the application of pesticides, especially in developing countries. Agriculture is directly related to the environment including water resources, and farming behaviors can entail a plethora of positive or negative effects on these vital resources. So, the present study aimed to explore the safety and health behaviors of wheat farmers towards the use of chemical pesticides in Qorveh County in Kurdistan province, Iran. The statistical population of this applied research consisted of all irrigated wheat farmers in the 2019-2020 crop year (N = 1700) in Qorveh County. The sample size was determined to be 170 people by Cochran’s formula, and the random multistage technique was adopted for data collection. The main research instrument was a questionnaire whose content validity was checked by a panel of experts and the average variance extracted (AVE) index. Also, its reliability was estimated by Cronbach’s alpha and the Cumulative Reliability (CR) coefficient. The results of the structural equation modeling (SEM) showed that the variables of the information source, attitude, and knowledge of chemical pesticide application accounted for 79 percent of the variance in the factors affecting the safety and health behaviors of wheat farmers as to the application of these pesticides. Considering the significant relationship that information source, attitude, and knowledge have with safety and health behaviors, it is recommended to hold training courses to familiarize wheat farmers with the hazards of conventional farming practices and the benefits of IPM practices by the organizations in charge, e.g. Agricultural Jihad Organization. This will foster a positive attitude among the farmers to adopt safety and healthy behaviors.

The purpose of this study was to design a learning organization model for Agricultural Cooperatives (ACs) in Iran. To conduct this study, a survey research method was employed, with stratified random sampling as the chosen sampling method. The primary tool used in the research was the Dimensions of Learning Organization Questionnaire (DLOQ), a standard assessment questionnaire for evaluating learning organizations. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was applied to analyze the collected data. A two-step approach to SEM was used to assess the measurement model and design the structural model. The results revealed that the status of cooperative organizations in Iran did not align with the indicators of a learning organization (LO) and highlighted the need for a model to facilitate the adaptation of cooperatives towards becoming learning organizations. The proposed model identified the most critical dimensions of LO compatibility with cooperatives and the factors influencing them. Cooperative stakeholders can utilize this model to guide their adaptation towards becoming learning organizations in their respective fields of work. This research contributes to the existing literature by offering a model that is tailored to the unique context of cooperatives aiming to become learning organizations.