INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT (IJAMAD)
Year:2018 | Volume:8 | Issue:3|Papers Count:12

Agriculture sector faces risks caused by natural damagingevents. So, it is necessary to predict, counteract andmitigate the risks of agricultural activities to increase investmentsecurity, to identify risks and to practice risk managementmethods, in which insurance has a special niche as a risk counteractionand a mitigation measure. The objective of this studywas to study the role of insurance in risk management ofbroiler farms in the Rudbar County in Guilan Province in2016. The statistical population was composed of 121 broilerchicken farms that were active in Rubdar County. This study, done in 2013-2015, out of which 55 farms were selected as thesample according to Bartlett Table. Data were collected by interviewand a questionnaire whose validity was confirmed bya panel of experts and whose reliability was estimated to be73% by Cronbach’ s alpha. Results of stepwise regressionshowed that the main production parts affected by risk factorsincluded hygiene and control(0. 279), technical factors, includingventilation and temperature (-0. 313), nutrition (-0. 366), diseaseprevention (-0. 273), chicken hatching capacity (0. 398) and insurance(-0. 339). Results of the test of variable correlationsshowed a negative, significant relationship of dependent variable(risk management) with hatching capacity, hygiene factors, technical factors, nutrition, disease prevention, and insurance. Also, risk management was found to have no relationship withfarm managers’ age and farming experience.

The role of nutrition in the health area, increasing efficiencyand its relationship with economic development has beenapproved through extensive research in the world using scientificfoundations and empirical evidence. Therefore, accessing tofood security is the basic pillar of development. The mainpurpose of this study was to investigate the role of socioeconomicfactors affecting the food security of rural households inNahavand County, Iran. The statistical population consisted of26599 rural households of Nahavand County that 255 peoplewere selected using Cochran formula and stratified randomsampling technique. A questionnaire was used to data collection, which its validity was confirmed by a panel of faculty membersin the University of Tehran and its reliability was confirmedby Cronbach's alpha which its range was 0. 72 to 0. 91 fordifferent sections of the questionnaire. Data analysis was performedin two parts of descriptive and inferential statisticsusing the software SPSS21. Results showed that the differencein various levels of household income in terms of food insecuritylevels was statistically significant at the 0. 01 level. The resultsof logit regression (probit) analysis suggested that variables ofdecision-making ability, nutritional awareness of head of thehousehold and the household income have the greatest impacton rural households’ food security.

The rapid world economic growth has driven the businessestowards involvement in international marketplaces due tolower business risks, lower commitment of resources, andhigher flexibility of these markets. However, evidence indicatesthat barriers to exportation vary across different stages of internationalization. Therefore, this empirical study was carriedout to explore exportation barriers of agricultural commodities, especially honey, in Iran. Based on an explorative literaturereview, several factors were considered as export barriers ofagricultural commodities. These barriers were provided to asample of 20 honey exporters in Ardabil province using aquestionnaire. After collecting and analyzing the data, 21factors were identified as the important barriers to honeyexport. A graph theory-based technique (DEMATEL) withfeedback structure was used to explore the direct and indirecteffects of barriers on the other barriers and the whole system. The results indicate that adjusting export promotion activities, lack of home government assistance/incentives, shortage ofworking capital to finance exports, high tariff and nontariffbarriers, different foreign customer habits/attitudes are themost critical barriers in the order of importance.

Increasing world population has led to product more foods andcrops, while agricultural lands have been decreased. Then, itis necessary to use the maximum potential of these lands whichproduct maximum yield without any damage. To reach this objective, land suitability evaluation is the most important waythat can reach-this objective. The main objective of this researchwas to compare different irrigation methods based on a parametricevaluation system in an area of 100 ha in the Chikan andMourzian Subbasin of the Fars province, in the south of Iran. After preparing land unit map, 10 points were selected forsampling. Soil properties were evaluated and analyzed. Suitabilitymaps for drop and gravity irrigation were generated using GIStechnique. The result revealed land suitability of 71. 9 ha (71. 9%)of the case study was classified as permanently not suitable(N2) and 28. 1 ha (28. 1%) currently not suitable (N1) for gravityirrigation. On the other hand, land suitability of 47. 3 ha (47. 3%)of the case study was classified as permanently not suitability(N2), 28. 5 ha (28. 5%) currently not suitable (N1) and 24. 3 ha(24. 3%) marginally suitable (S3) for drop irrigation. The limitingfactor for drop irrigation was slope and for gravity irrigationwere slope and drainage.

Sustainability in agriculture is determined by such aspects aseconomic, social, and environment. The multi-objectiveprogramming (MOP) model has been a widely used tool forstudying and analyzing the sustainability of agricultural systems; however, optimization models, in most applications, have touse data that are uncertain. Recently, robust optimization hasbeen used as an optimization model that incorporates uncertainty. This paper develops a framework for environmental-economicdecision-making that considers the environmental and economicsustainability criteria in determining an optimal allocation ofagricultural areas that cover an irrigation network under uncertaindata. The primary uncertain parameter of the robust model wasthe quantity of available water for each season. The applicationof the proposed model to the case study of the right fringe ofthe Nekooabad irrigation network in the province of Isfahan, Iran demonstrates the reliability and flexibility of the model. The results show that the optimal total gross margin decreaseswith higher robustness levels. To compensate for the loss ofgross margin of farmers in the robust pattern, efficiency enhancementpolicies were emphasized.

In the current century, agriculture sustainability and the reductionof environmental pressure are two main objectivesof the management of agro-ecosystems that is challenged byenergy inefficiency. In this respect, the present study assessedone of the most important planting systems in Sistan Regionby emergy analysis approach. It analyzed all inputs ofgreenhouse cucumber production system in Sistan includingrenewable inputs (sunlight, wind, rain), non-renewable inputs(net topsoil loss), and purchased inputs (machinery, fossilfuels, electricity, plastic, utility, labor, N, K, P and micro fertilizers, and chemical herbicides) and services. In this study, an emergy analysis was performed on greenhouse cucumberproduction system of Sistan using the data collected from a3000-m2 greenhouse in Zahak Agricultural Research Station(as an average representative of agricultural lands in SistanRegion). The results revealed that total emergy of greenhousecucumber system was 1. 094 × 1018seJ, and diesel fuel andlabor were the main emergy consumers with the emergy consumptionrates of 7. 9 × 1017 and 1. 92 × 1017seJ ha-1, respectively. Main emergy indices including emergy yield ratio, emergy investment ratio, environmental loading ratio, andsustainability index were found to be 1. 00, 2089, 4. 34 and20. 23, respectively. Therefore, it is imperative to consider theoptimization of highly consumed inputs, the reduction of environmentalimpacts, and the increase in sustainability bymaking changes in greenhouse structures, enhancing energyuse efficiency inside the greenhouse, and mechanizing theplanting, cultivating and harvesting processes in order todevelop greenhouse cucumber system in Sistan.

About 20% of global electricity production is consumed inrotary equipment to convey fluids such as water, gas, air, and other liquids, while the loss of energy consumption in thissector is more than 60%. The aim of this study was to evaluatedifferent efficiencies in the pumping stations in the pressurizedirrigation systems to address low energy efficiency issues inthe pump stations and to develop solutions to enhance it. Inthis regard, the electrical efficiency, hydraulic efficiency, andmechanical efficiency were determined in the studied pumpstations and they were used to determine total efficiency ofeach pump station. Pump station assessment tool (PSAT)software was used to model each station and predict annualenergy consumption costs; furthermore, the potential ofefficiency improvement was calculated. Results showed thatthe total efficiency of the studied pump stations ranged from13 to 32% and averaged 24%. Factors, such as improperdesign, disproportion in terms of the operation conditions, and the design and improper operation, caused a drop in theefficiency of the pump stations. Also, the productivity of theenergy consumption in the pump stations can be improvedfrom 24 to 49% if these issues are tackled.

Agriculture is one of the pillars of economics whose developmentrequires a particular attention to all productionfactors. This paper aims to provide a systematic and conceptualmodel that is based on a conceptualization of the field. Forthis purpose, the theory and methodology were extracted onthe basis of data derived from field observations and interviewsdrawn from a systematic conceptual model of key informants. The current model shows that original category of theagriculture business, i. e. business growth, is originated fromcausal conditions including personal features, supportive roles, and production factors and, based on evaluation strategiesand the exploitation of opportunities, leads to a new valuebased on business growth as a result of the process. Underlyingconditions, such as individual factors, and geographical conditions, as well as environmental conditions, including thegovernment, the legislature, and banks, are effective in thisprocess. Understanding the aspects of business growth iseffective in developing policies to support and promote entrepreneurship. Moreover, it is essential to design a growthmodel to help business owners select a definition for firmgrowth. It is noteworthy that so far, the majority of theproposed models have been ineffective in some aspects andmore attention should be paid to future growth modeling inthe research context.

Activities to reduce soil erosion and to improve soil fertility, agricultural production and finally, crop income havebeen considered to be fundamental for the implementation ofsustainable agriculture in Iran. This research investigates theeffects of no-till (NL) technology on reducing soil erosionand increasing agricultural income and eventually achievingsustainability. Data were collected with a questionnaire. Theresearch sample including 165 NL adopter farmers was selectedusing multi-stage stratified random sampling method in FarsProvince, Iran. The findings revealed that this technology improvesperformance and reduces water, energy and input consumption. The findings contribute to understanding the effectsof no-till technology on agricultural systems. Also, informationis provided to help the necessary planning for more effectiveimplementation of no-till technology. According to the resultsof regression, wheat yields, increased use of pesticides, awareness of the benefits, and satisfaction with NL technologyare the factors underpinning farmers` willingness to keepusing NL technology.

Recently, innovation has become a very important issue, asit provides a strategic advantage for organizations to outperformcompetition and remain agile in the environment. Additionally, knowledge management is considered to be astrong support for innovation. However, few studies examinethe role of human resource management in fostering knowledgecapability which leads more innovation in the organizations. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of knowledgemanagement components in organizational innovation amongagricultural extension experts in Khuzestan Province. Thestatistical population of this study consisted of all agriculturalextension experts in Khuzestan Province (N=328). UsingBartlett’ s et al. (2001) sampling table, 130 of them wereselected as a sample using the proportionate stratified randomsampling method (n=130). The instrument of gathering datawas a questionnaire that validity was confirmed by the panelof experts and its reliability was established by Cronbach'sAlpha coefficient (α >0. 70). The results of multiple regressionanalysis revealed that knowledge management components(knowledge creation, knowledge acquisition, knowledge storageand knowledge sharing and application) had positive significanteffect on organizational innovation among agricultural extensionexperts in Khuzestan Province. The results emphasize the importanceof knowledge management components to the successof innovation process in agricultural extension system.

The economy of Iran is dependent on many variables thatplay a role in its growth and development. On the otherhand, rainfall is one of the important factors of climate changethat has affected economic strategic programs including thoseof the agricultural sector. Rainfall variations impact manyeconomic variables, some of which are explored here. Theaim of this study was to evaluate rainfall shocks on some economicvariables using a general equilibrium model thatincluded the best scenario representing the highest rainfall, the worst scenario representing the lowest rainfall, and normalscenario considering average rainfall. To check the effect ofthese changes on the agricultural sector, a set of commoditiesproduced by this section is considered separately, and othersections are considered in general. The results showed thatthe production of these commodities has been increased byabout 14% in the best rainfall scenario. All commodities havebeen faced with reduced consumption from 0. 3% to 10. 3% inthe worst rainfall scenario; this was the greatest loss ofproducts related to the agricultural commodities. Rainfall increasedthe price of all commodities by 0. 25-28. 7%, exceptfor industry. Both private and public investments wereinfluenced by rainfall change.

The economy of Iran is dependent on many variables thatplay a role in its growth and development. On the otherhand, rainfall is one of the important factors of climate changethat has affected economic strategic programs including thoseof the agricultural sector. Rainfall variations impact manyeconomic variables, some of which are explored here. Theaim of this study was to evaluate rainfall shocks on some economicvariables using a general equilibrium model thatincluded the best scenario representing the highest rainfall, the worst scenario representing the lowest rainfall, and normalscenario considering average rainfall. To check the effect ofthese changes on the agricultural sector, a set of commoditiesproduced by this section is considered separately, and othersections are considered in general. The results showed thatthe production of these commodities has been increased byabout 14% in the best rainfall scenario. All commodities havebeen faced with reduced consumption from 0. 3% to 10. 3% inthe worst rainfall scenario; this was the greatest loss ofproducts related to the agricultural commodities. Rainfall increasedthe price of all commodities by 0. 25-28. 7%, exceptfor industry. Both private and public investments wereinfluenced by rainfall change.