International Journal of Agricultural Management and Development
Volume:4 Issue: 4, Dec 2014

Given the strategic remarkable rank of pistachio in non-oil exports, inputs’ management in its production is so important. As the scarcest input in agricultural sector, water is considered to be among the most important inputs of pistachio production. Water inadequate supply and climate conditions increase water demand in pistachio growing areas. It is necessary to determine the real value or price of water for establishing a balance between its demand and supply. Therefore, this study has aimed at estimation of water economic value. The method used in this research is the production function approach. Requested data sets were obtained from the questionnaires was filled out for crop years of 2013-2014. The results show that the average economic value of irrigation water is 50360 RLS but the average price paid by farmers is 1771 RLS per cubic meter of water. Thus, there is a wide gap between water value and the price paid by farmers withwhich appropriate pricing of water based on its economic value can be eliminated.

This research has used a mixed methodology with both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The study population included three groups; the post-graduate students, professors and academic staff at two universities, Khouzestan Ramin Agriculture and Natural Resources University and Bu-Ali Sina University. For collecting quantitative data among 320 students, 175 were selected using random sampling and based on theMorgan table. In order to collect qualitative data, 41 professors and academic staff of the two universities were selected based on a criterion purposeful sampling. Gathering tool in quantitative part was a questionnaire including three-parts. The questionnaire's reliability was tested by Cronbach's Alpha technique and the total mean reliability of scales was 84% (α=0.84). For collecting qualitative data, semi-structured interviews were used. A summarized content analysis was used in order to analyze the interview's data. Quantitative data analysis was conducted in two parts: descriptive and analytical. Results showed that a sustainable agricultural higher education needs a series of factors, characteristics and conditions. These factors at economic, social, cultural, and environmental dimensions include: financial and credit, employment and entrepreneurship, the agricultural productivity, social issues, building culture, and environmental awareness. Results also indicated that a sustainable university should address four elements of education, research, management and planning, and outreach programs in a pool of two-way communication between these elements and the real needs of society and environment.

The purpose of this study was to determine computer and Internet use in agricultural extension by Extension Workers (EWs). This study used a descriptive-correlational design.Population for the study consisted of all extension workers (N = 320) in Isfahan Province, Iran. A stratified sampling technique and census was used to select EWs (n = 200). Overall, findings indicate that EWs have access to computers both at work and home. On average, they use computers approximately 6 – 8 hours per week and majority of them use the Internet on average of 1 – 4 hours per week. A majority of them reported “fair to high level” of skills in computer usage. For example, writing CDs, word processing, using computers for file management, and basic computer skills. However, extension agent’s report “no to a low level” of skills relative to using excel, installing software, power point and micro soft access, Photoshop, statistical software, were the skills that EWs did not have. It was proved necessary to conduct a systematic assessment oftraining needs relative to computer and Internet use. Systematic training should be conducted in the areas that Extension Workers perceived to be less skill.

The study specifically described the socio-economic status of the people involved in the production, distribution and consumption of convenience foods in Lafia urban of NasarawaState. It identified the factors that influence the entry into convenience food enterprise, factors necessitating the demand and supply of the products and examined the costs and returns of three convenience foods. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, inferential statistics (multiple regression analysis), the four point’s likert type scale and the enterprise gross margin. The major findings indicated that femaleproducers of convenience foods were more than male producers, the multiple regression result on the effects of socio-economic characteristics of consumers on the amount of money spent on consumer foods revealed that R2 value is 0.697. This implied that 69.7% of the total variation in output (Y) is explained by the combined influences of the independent variables in the model. The gross margin enterprise revealed that the sale ofconvenience foods in Lafia metropolis is profitable. The study concluded by advocating for provision of credit facilities amongst others to producers and distributors of convenience foods with limited income.

The main purpose of the study was to investigate the factors affecting the sustainable management of agricultural water in Hamedan. The study population included all wheat farmers possessing irrigated farms in Hamedan city (N=1800). Of these farmers a sample of 317 people has been selected by using randomized multi-stage sampling method. The data were collected through a questionnaire's tool with help of the interview technique. Accuracy of the questions in the questionnaire was face validated by a panel of specialists. To test the reliability of the questionnaires, the questionnaires were first given to 30 farmers and Cronbach's Alpha was calculated (Alpha=0.92) then the questionnaire was finalized. Data analyzing methods such as Multiple Regression and the coefficient of variation (CV= standard deviation /mean) were used in this study. To determine the level of sustainability of the farms Bossel (1999) method proposed for classification and grading the fields was used. The results showed that variables agronomic factors, policy factors and institutional factors were able to explain 34 percent of the dependent variable's changes (sustainable management of agricultural water). According to the results, 95.3 percent of the farmers were categorized into unsustainable group, 4.1 percent into semi-sustainable and only 0.6 percent in sustainable group.

Mazandaran province is one of the most important agricultural areas in Iran. Researches findings show that the role of bank credits is really important due to the lack of availablefunds in agricultural sector. In this study, the relationship between allocation of Agricultural Bank credits of Iran as professional bank section and agricultural employment was studied in the Mazandaran province based on a threshold error correction model during 1981-2011. The results show that the impact of credits on agricultural employment has been significantly different in upper and lower level of estimated threshold. The estimated threshold is about 44 percent for bank credits. The impact of bank credits on agricultural employment will be significantly negative when they exceeds from the threshold point. The results confirm transfer of capital from agriculture to other sections, resulting in a lack of integrated management for credit allocation system.

Iran has experienced high food prices in recent years. This paper examines the welfare impacts of rising major food group's prices on Iranian urban households using QuadraticAlmost Ideal Demand System (QUAIDS) approach. The elasticity coefficients derived from QUAIDS are used to estimate Compensated Variations (CV).The study uses IranianHousehold Expenditure and Income Survey (HEIS) raw data, encompassing both low and high price periods. Prices of all food and agricultural products increased during the entiresurvey period of 2004 to 2012. Based on our estimates, the food groups of cereals, dairy products, vegetable and pulses, Potables and Spices are necessary goods, as their budgetelasticity is positive and below one at the same time. Meat, edible oils, fruits and dried fruits and Sugary products are luxury goods, with income elasticity above one. We find that the remarkable increases in food prices resulted in severe erosion of purchasing power for the Iranian urban households and they need to be compensated on average about 48% of their initial income for the food price changes they faced during the 2004 and 2012. In addition the high share of cereals in year 2012 implies that urban households shift their consumption to cheaper calorie source. This figure is confirmed with the decline in the share of meat, dairy Products, fruits and dried fruits, vegetables and pulses and potables expenditure.