فصلنامه تحقیقات اقتصاد و توسعه کشاورزی ایران
سال چهل و سوم شماره 1 (بهار 1391)

In this paper، the importance of environmental degradation costs in national accounts is discussed، empirical studies having been considered by politician and economic planners before. The importance of a determination of relationship between economic growth VS. openness to trade is also discussed. The main objective followed in an investigation of the relationship between trade openness، green GDP، physical and human capital as based upon Granger causality and also on Jhoansen and Juselius cointegration tests. There existed a causal link between openness to trade and green GDP considering time series data as during 1350-1384. In other words، changes in the openness cause changes in the green economic growth. Moreover in this study it is attaempted to establish the long run relationship between variables as based on Solow growth model by use of Vector Autoregression model (VAR)، Jhoansen - Juselius cointegration tests. The results indicate that greater openness and increase in human capital index lead to decrease in green GDP growth rate while an increase in physical capital lead to higher environmental gross product (green GDP).

Realizing that there is no specific market for organic products in Iran، in this study it is tried to estimate the costs involved in organic productions by means of Contingent Valuation Method and through Willingness-to-Pay estimation approach. Towards this end 219 and 209 Double-Bounded dichotomous questionnaires were developed (for cucumber in Tehran Province and for vegetables in Gilan Province respectively). Logit Model was utilized to assess the Individual Willingness-to-Pay، while the parameters of model being estimated through Maximum Likelihood method. Results indicated that form amongst the variables of the model، income and cancer record appearing in the relations exerted significant positive effects on willingness to pay for organic cucumber. The average willingness to pay by the questioned people per kilogram of organic cucumber and a kg of organic vegetables were estimated as 12200 and 17238 Rials، respectively. Since the price as based on willingness to pay per kilogram may not cover the production costs of organic crops، it seems necessary that the government steps forward to provide some support policies like paying green subsidy to farmers. In addition، for establishing the organic (biologic) agriculture system in the country، there should exist appropriate programs to provide supply security in distribution network along with the promotion of the production of these commodities، because it is evident and inevitable to economize organic agriculture if it is to develop، expand، and flourish.

Water quality is a most important factor in areas facing water crisis the survival of which is based upon it. In a determination of water value the factors that should be attended to are: the given volume، specified quality (preservation value)، as well as the specific time and place. Valuation of water in Iran is dependent on types of exploited water resources which include: human consumption (quality) and non-consumption. Ignorance of the importance and value of changes in water quality، will greatly affect the environment as well as the human life. One of these values is preserving water quality. This study determined the value of preserving water quality in the city of Yazd assessing people''s willingness to pay، making use of contingent valuation method and double bounded dichotomous choice questionnaire in year 1389. The results indicate that the average annual willingness of people to pay for protection water of quality is 217350 Rials. According to family size in the region (assumed as 4people)، each family tends to pay 870120 Rials per capita yearly to protect water quality. Also، residents are willing to pay 120 Milliard rials be paid to maintain water quality. Therefore، these estimates are suggested to provide justifications for the policy makers and officials to maintain and protect water quality.

The purpose of this research was to investigate the factors affecting the use of information resources and communication channels by the Rey Township vegetable growers as regards their prevention of soil pollution. The study consisted of all vegetable growers (N=700) in the Ray county، located in Tehran Province، from among whom 70 vegetable growers were selected through random sampling technique. A questionnaire was designed and employed to gather the required data. A panel of selected experts verified the questionnaire''s content validity. The scale of use of information resources and communication channels was proved to be reliable as Cronbach Alpha coefficient was estimated as equal to 0. 92. The results of descriptive statistics revealed that all of the vegetable growers have been involved in the use of polluted water for irrigation. Also، it was revealed that a majority of the vegetable growers have utilized information resources and communication channels at a low level. The results of regression analysis finally revealed that the three variables of: education level، farm size، and the level of knowledge concerning the prevention of soil pollution، explained about 52% variances of the dependent variable.

The purpose of the current research was to assess and analyze the effects of land renovation and development schemes. The work was carried out as case study in Khor o Biabanak Area of Esfahan province. The research was based upon survey، utilizing questionnaire and interview as tools to gather data. The statistical population contained all the land holdings related to the projects who had received ownership title. By using Cochran formula، 146 holdings were selected as sample through Simple Random Sampling method. The results revealed that all the indicators related to land fragmentation are decreased considerably following an accomplishment of the project. Most changes have been related to total land ownership having decreased to an extent of 214 percent. The results of factor analysis showed that six factors namely productivity effect، effect of access to agricultural complimentary services، juridical and institutional effect of the project، effect of farm infrastructure and accessing، performance and operational effects of the project and land ownership effect explained 75. 59% of variance for the effect of land renovation and development schemes. Some 44. 01% of the effects were considered as positive ones and 31. 58% as the negative effects.

This research was conducted to investigate of research Commercialization roles in the entrepreneurial R&D in Agricultural Technology management process. The work was implemented as a correlational research، using casual model. The statistical population of the study consisted of 2141 agricultural research specialists from Iran، One out of each six regional groups of provinces (N= 25) was randomly selected from where 320 researchers were finally selected as based on Cochran’s Sampling Methodology. Research instrument consisted of Likert five point scale for latent variable measurements. Validity of the questionnaire was verified using Average Variance Extracted (AVE)، a one method of Discriminant Validity. Also Composite reliability coefficients were calculated for the questionnaire''s different sections. The obtained figures show that the questionnaire bears the necessary sufficiency for data gathering. Structural equation modeling was employed through LISREL 8. 54 software package. The results indicate that among Entrepreneurial R&D dimensions، Sustainable Innovation and Increased Technology Value Added play a central role as confirmed through Entrepreneurship Literature. Path analysis results show that the existence of entrepreneurial considerations in “Creation and Development of Technology”، “Technology Strategy” and “Domain Definition” exert the most effect on Entrepreneurial R&D among research Commercialization dimensions while technology road mapping and assessment revealed not a significant impact.

Now-a-days، due to the quick growth of science and technology، institutionalization of learning organizations sounds as more important among public service organizations، and that is because they should be able to offer better services to their customers in accordance with the quick changes of science and technology. One of these organizations to be emphasized upon is Jahad-e-Keshavarzi Organization، supposed to offer technical، consulting and educating-extension services in the field of agriculture. The purpose of this study is an analysis of apllication of different aspects of learning organizations in Jahad-e-Keshavarzi in Khorasan-e-Razavi province. This work، being an applied and non-experimental study، was carried out through a descriptive-correlation research design، DLOQ questionnaire being utilized to collect the data. The statistical population consisted of a group of 102 people of experts of Jahad-e-Keshavarzi Organization in Khorasan-e-Razavi Province (N=303). The results of the study revealed that the means achieved by Jahad-e-Keshavarzi Organization of Khorasan-e-Razavi province in 28 out of 37 items were recorded as lower than the acceptable level. Moreover، it was revealed that the aspects of continuous learning، dialogue and team learning، achieved were more realized than any other aspect in Jahad-e-Keshavarzi Organization of Khorasan-e-Razavi Province. The results of analytical statistics indicated that there was a significant correlation observed between different aspects of Learning Organization، and English proficiency، computer skills، and Internet use.

A most important phenomenon among organizational resources is creativity along with mobility of staff، while empowerment being the motivator of creativity and mobility. The purpose of this study was an analysis of management and organizational factors necessary for empowerment of Iranian Agricultural Colleges Faculty members. Research methodology was a descriptive-survey one. The statistical population of the study consisted of the faculty members of agricultural colleges in Iran (N= 1837)، out of whom 404 people were planced in the statistical sample according to the formula setup of Krejcie and Morgan. Multi stages sampling method was emplayed for selection of the samples among all the agricultural colleges in Iran. A questionnaire was assembled as the main tool of the study. The validity of the questionnaire was approved by the judgment of a panel of faculty members of the university of Tehran acted here as experts. To assess the reliability of the questionnaire، Cronbach''s Alpha coefficients were estimated. T-test results showed that there exists a significant difference between the degrees (MSc and PhD) and between places from where the degrees obtained (inside and outside the country)، the difference among faculty members، in terms of ability level being 99 percent. Results of Exploratory Factor Analysis revealed that five factors explained about 60. 691% percent of the total variance covering the management and organizational determinants for an empowerment of the faculty members; theses factors being: Job enrichment، Participation، Facilities، Education as well as Decision making.

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between social capital and entrepreneurial behavior of strawberry farmers. The study was a descriptive - correlational one. The research population was comprised of the strawberry farmers in the Sarvabad city of Kordestan (N = 193). Sample size، according to Kerjcie & Morgan table (1970) was determined to be 127 persons، selected by Simple Random Sampling method. A questionnaire was designed by the authors to gather the needed data for the study. The questionnaire validity was verified by a selected panel of experts. The reliability test was performed، Cronbach''s alpha being achieved as 0. 87 for either of the social capital or entrepreneurial section of the questionnaire. The results indicated a positive and significant correlation between components of social capital variables (level of value devotion to life، sense of security and trust، participation in local communities، business links and the tendency to accept differences) as well as the entrepreneurial behavioral variables. Multivariate regression analysis determined that such variables as devotion of value to life، feeling of trust and participation in local activities altogether explained 40 percent of variability in entrepreneurial behavior.

This descriptive correlational research sought to examine generic competencies required for university graduates from the points of view of agricultural engineers and mangers in Kermanshah Province. The study concentrated on the population of public agricultural managers (N= 130) as well as Agricultural engineers (who were members of Agricultural Engineering System Organization) in Kermanshah Province (N= 416). A sample of 196 agricultural engineers was selected through Stratified Random Sampling. Census survey was utilized regarding agricultural managers. Data was collected through questionnaire، with its validity cross checked by a panel of experts in the field. The reliability of the instrument was established using Alpha Cronbach Coefficient. Based on the results، the most important generic competencies required for graduates from the views of managers are responsibility، endeavor، as well as professional ethics. The most important generic competencies as viewed from the view point of engineers are the acceptance responsibilities، self-confidence، and endeavor. There was a significant difference observed between the preveiling situation vs. the ideal one as regards the required generic competencies. Factor analysis revealed that professional ethics، informational، organizational، group work، along with the communicational competencies are the core competencies needed for agricultural university students.

The main purpose followed in this descriptive - survey research، was «an analysis of the impact of social capital،s components on organizational entrepreneurship as regards agricultural staff». It''s statistical community included the total employees of the Dare-shahr،s Jahad-e-keshavarzi Organization in Ilam province (n=94). Using census، questionnaires were sent to the members of the community in response to which a number of 87 questionnaires were completed and returned. The main tool for collecting data as before said was questionnaire the content validity of which was confirmed as based on the opinions and suggestions of Agricultural Extension and Education Faculty members، University of Tehran and Ilam،s Jahad-e-keshavarzi Organization managers. For a determination of the reliability of questionnaire، cronbach''s alpha coefficient was found (0. 84 for social capital and 0. 95 for organizational entrepreneurship). Data were analyzed through software SPSS: Win16. The results of correlation analysis showed positive and significant relationship between social capital،s components and organizational entrepreneurship. Also، the results of multiple regression analysis indicated that about 50 percent of the variance of the dependent variable: organizational entrepreneurship is explained by the three components of: «collective identity»، «networks and shared norms» as well as «collective coherence».

The main purpose followed in this study was to identify and analyze the ways of coping up with drought in rural regions of Zanjan Province. The research method of the study was an Analytical- Explanatory one. The statistical population of the study consisted of experts of Jihad- E- Agriculture Organization of Zanjan Province (N= 316). According to Krejcie and Morgan table، 175 individuals were selected through Simple Random Sampling for the study. A questionnaire was employed to collect data. A panel of experts comprised of faculty members of Zanjan University established the validity of the questionnaire. A pilot study was as well conducted to establish the reliability of the instrument. Cronbach alpha''s coefficient for the scale of “importance of solutions of coping up with drought from experts'' viewpoints” was 0. 77. Factor analysis of solutions of coping up with drought revealed that five factors of: Educational- Extension، Economical، Conservative، Management plus Social explained 68. 66% of total variances of drought solutions.

The purpose followed in this descriptive correlational research was to investigate factors influencing the adoption of risk management in industrial dairy farmers in Tehran Province. Population of the study included industrial dairy farmers in commercial animal husbandries in Tehran Province (N=320). A cluster sampling technique was employed to select the sample in the study (n=175). Data was gathered through questionnaire. Validity of the instrument was established by the help of a panel of experts. A reliability analysis was conducted in which Cronbach''s Alpha coefficient was recorded from 0. 78 to 0. 94. Findings of the study indicated that a majority (49%) of the industrial dairy farmers’ risk management was considered to be at a «moderate» level. The results showed the main methods for risk management among industrial dairy farmers to include: consultation with experts and specialists، as well as employment of veterinary help. There was a statistical significant positive relationship observed between distance from the help husbandry farm and the manager''s site of residence، the awareness of risk factors، size of capital، annual income، number of livestock، and the level of use of informational channels vs. the level of risk management among the farmers. The results of the multivariate regression revealed that 50. 90 percent of variability in risk management stems from: size of capital، annual income، and the degree of awareness regarding risk factors.

The main purpose followed in this study was to recognize and analyzing the development of the professional efficiency components of efficient agricultural extension agents as in year Kermanshah province in 2008. The population consisted of 456 agricultural extension agents in Kermanshah Province، the study being an applied one and the method descriptive. Sample size as based on Tackman table 210 was determined، using proportional stratified random assignment of respondents. The research tool was comprised of a questionnaire with its preliminary as well as formal validities verified according to the judgement of a group of faculty members and as well as relevant experts. Reliability was assessed through measured Corunbach''s Alpha test for four factors of professional development namely: Individual factor، Information-Communication، Institute-participation، and Management-Finance factor whith? =0. 87، 0. 90، 0. 92، and 0. 92 indicating the reguired reliability of the questionnaire. Based on the research findings، ans according to the perception of the agricultural agents (female and male; young and old) there was a significant difference observed with respect to components (p<0. 05)، and as well between perception of agricultural agents who used computers، as compared with perception those who did not. (p<0. 01)، as determined through means comparison test (t-test). Means comparison of F-test among different agricultural agents and among different levels of education، positions of employment and organizational posts were reported as non significant. A correlation result shows the relationship between pre-service training and professional empowerment. Finally، based on the results، analysis، some applied recommendations have been provided and highlighted.