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List of Articles
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Open Access Article
1 - Perceptions of Agricultural Experts towards Barriers to the Adoption of Precision Agriculture
اصغر باقری نیر امامیPrecision agriculture holds significant potential for increasing crop yield, reducing costs, and ensuring environmental protection. However, the adoption of these technologies is impeded by certain barriers that need to be acknowledged. This survey aimed to investigate MorePrecision agriculture holds significant potential for increasing crop yield, reducing costs, and ensuring environmental protection. However, the adoption of these technologies is impeded by certain barriers that need to be acknowledged. This survey aimed to investigate the perceptions of agricultural experts (n=142) regarding the barriers to adopting precision agriculture in Ardabil province, Iran. Data were collected through a questionnaire administered to the participants. The research tool was validated by a group of university staff, and its reliability was confirmed through a pilot study involving 30 experts, which yielded a high alpha value. Due to the prevailing COVID-19 situation, data collection was conducted virtually. The findings indicated that the surveyed experts possessed a relatively good understanding of precision agriculture. Five factors, namely lack of knowledge, economic constraints, inadequate extension-farmer interactions, data security concerns, and limited accessibility, collectively accounted for 73.34 percent of the total variance in barriers to adopting precision agricultural technologies. Due to the lack of knowledge and poor farmer-extension interaction, extension courses are needed to improve farmers' knowledge and awareness of precision agriculture. Regarding the economic barriers, allocating the facilities and credits for developing and applying these technologies is necessary. Concerning the barriers to data security and lack of access, the government and related organizations should support farmers in solving internet access problems. Also, training and necessary facilities to maintain data security should be provided. Considering the effect of perception of usefulness on attitude, it is necessary to provide in-service training to improve experts' knowledge and perceptions about these technologies' usefulness. Precision agriculture demonstration farms in research stations or farmers' farms with the interaction of experts can be effective. Manuscript profile -
Open Access Article
2 - Perceived Effectiveness of Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica)-Rice Processing Technologies Utilization among Rice Processors in Kogi State, Nigeria
Olufemi Bolarin Sijuade Adebayo Rebecca Akubo Sola KomolafeIn recent years, global rice consumption has seen a substantial increase, and consumption is expected to continue rising due to its significance in household diets worldwide. However, successful rice processing requires specific operations. This study assessed the effec MoreIn recent years, global rice consumption has seen a substantial increase, and consumption is expected to continue rising due to its significance in household diets worldwide. However, successful rice processing requires specific operations. This study assessed the effectiveness of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Rice Processing Technologies Utilization among rice processors in Kogi State, Nigeria. A three-stage sampling technique was employed to select one hundred and eighty (180) rice processors for the study. Data collection utilized a questionnaire complemented with an interview schedule, and the analysis employed descriptive statistics (frequency counts, percentages, and mean). Results revealed that the majority (91.1%) of the respondents were female with a mean age of 47.6 years. Additionally, 86.7% were married, and 56.7% had primary education. It was also found that extension agents (72.2%) were the main sources of information on JICA rice processing technologies in the study area. Furthermore, the study found that all JICA initiatives were effective. However, the false bottom at parboiling for quality paddy rice (X̅ = 3.99) and the Ajifa mill for milling clean rice grains with a good appearance (X̅ = 3.98) were rated as the most effective JICA initiatives by the respondents. Consequently, the study recommends that the government should encourage and organize free adult literacy classes to increase processors' knowledge and orientation toward processing activities. Manuscript profile -
Open Access Article
3 - Consumption Inequality in the Rural Households of Iran
علیرضا کیخا محمد جواد خسروسرشکیThis study aims to assess the inequality in consumption among rural households in Iran and identify the contributing factors. Initially, we gauge consumption inequality using household income and expenditure statistics published by the Statistics Center of Iran in 2019. MoreThis study aims to assess the inequality in consumption among rural households in Iran and identify the contributing factors. Initially, we gauge consumption inequality using household income and expenditure statistics published by the Statistics Center of Iran in 2019. Subsequently, we analyze the impact of significant demographic factors within households, including gender, education, and the generational status of household heads, on consumption inequality. We accomplish this through Gini coefficient analysis and quantile regression. The analysis of the Gini coefficient reveals that age groups and the generational status of household heads provide a more effective representation of the observed inequality within the studied households compared to other demographic features. Employing quantile regression to investigate the asymmetric effects of the mentioned demographic factors on the distribution of households' per capita consumption indicates that various segments of consumption expenditure distribution exhibit asymmetric responses to these factors. Household income has a positive influence on the distribution of household consumption expenditures. However, its impact is 60% greater on the right side of the distribution than on the left side. In cases where the household head is female, per capita expenditures are reduced by one million and three hundred thousand Tomans. Notably, the sign of this coefficient consistently remains negative across different quantiles, albeit with varying magnitudes. Ultimately, households with higher education levels or belonging to older age categories demonstrate greater average per capita expenditures compared to households with lower education levels or younger household heads. Manuscript profile -
Open Access Article
4 - A Mixed-Method Approach to Designing an Entrepreneurial Behavior Development Model in Agricultural Cooperatives of Kermanshah Province, Iran
سعیده نوری کوروش روستا نادر نادریThe present study aimed to design a model for developing entrepreneurial behavior in agricultural cooperatives in Kermanshah province, employing an exploratory mixed-method approach. In the qualitative phase of the study, the participant team included all key individual MoreThe present study aimed to design a model for developing entrepreneurial behavior in agricultural cooperatives in Kermanshah province, employing an exploratory mixed-method approach. In the qualitative phase of the study, the participant team included all key individuals well-informed about entrepreneurship within the cooperatives of Kermanshah province. Thirty participants were selected using a snowball purposive sampling method. The statistical population for the quantitative phase included 530 managers and members of active agricultural cooperatives in Kermanshah province. Among them, 223 were selected using the stratified sampling method and Krejcie and Morgan's table. Data collected during the qualitative phase were analyzed using Nvivo8 software, resulting in the development of a grounded theory in the form of a conceptual model. During model analysis, research hypotheses were initially compiled and then assessed using the path analysis method in SPSS 23 and SmartPLS3 software. The findings from the qualitative phase, based on the grounded theory model, were categorized into six groups: Causative conditions (e.g., economic profits, personal incentives, etc.)Contextual conditions (e.g., cultural factors, diverse working areas, etc.)Intervening conditions (e.g., sanctions, market fluctuations, etc.)Phenomena (e.g., entrepreneurial behavior such as innovation, initiative in job tasks, etc.)Strategies (e.g., educational-promotional activities, keeping cooperatives up to date, etc.)Consequences (e.g., self-sufficiency in production, preventing cooperatives from depression, etc.).In the quantitative phase, the model emerging from the qualitative part was tested and ultimately approved. Based on the results, it is recommended that to foster entrepreneurial behavior in agricultural cooperatives, the research model be presented to cooperative members through training classes. Manuscript profile -
Open Access Article
5 - Feasibility Study of Tourism Entrepreneurship Development in Rural Areas of Darreh-Shahr County: Application of SWOT-AHP Model
نعمت اله شیری Samireh SeymohammadiThe aim of this study was to conduct a feasibility study on tourism entrepreneurship development in rural areas of Darreh-Shahr County, with the goal of providing appropriate strategies for its enhancement. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitat MoreThe aim of this study was to conduct a feasibility study on tourism entrepreneurship development in rural areas of Darreh-Shahr County, with the goal of providing appropriate strategies for its enhancement. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative methods in a sequential exploratory design. Through purposeful and network sampling, 15 key informants from the fields of entrepreneurship and tourism were selected for in-depth interviews, continuing until data saturation was achieved. Qualitative data were subjected to SWOT analysis, while quantitative data underwent analysis using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). The findings indicated that a combination of conservative and aggressive strategies is essential for the development of tourism entrepreneurship in the rural areas of Darreh-Shahr County. The AHP analysis highlighted the importance of aggressive strategies, such as "organizing exhibitions and establishing local markets for rural and nomadic products." Additionally, it emphasized the need for conservative approaches, including "providing long-term, low-interest loans for the development of essential infrastructural facilities supporting rural entrepreneurial tourism" and "attracting local investors to establish recreational facilities like parks." In conclusion, this study underscores the necessity of employing a diverse range of strategies to foster the growth of tourism entrepreneurship in the rural areas of Darreh-Shahr County. Manuscript profile -
Open Access Article
6 - Forecasting Iran’s Saffron Export by Comparison of Machine Learning Algorithms
علیرضا امیرتیموری منصور صوفی مهدی همایونفر مهدی فداییImports and exports play an integral role in the economic growth of all countries. Therefore, selecting the right products can enhance a country's competitiveness in global trade. Saffron stands out as one of Iran's most vital and unique non-oil products for export. The MoreImports and exports play an integral role in the economic growth of all countries. Therefore, selecting the right products can enhance a country's competitiveness in global trade. Saffron stands out as one of Iran's most vital and unique non-oil products for export. The objective of this study was to predict saffron exports using three data mining algorithms and determine the most suitable algorithm for forecasting. The sample period for the forecasting models encompasses saffron export data from Iran for the years 2012 to 2019, gathered from the Iran Saffron Association. Following the data preparation steps, saffron export was forecasted using three data mining algorithms: artificial neural network, deep learning, and gradient boost tree. The validity of the models plays a crucial role in selecting the best forecasting model. The predictive validity of the three designed models was evaluated using the absolute error (artificial neural network = 0.036, deep learning network = 0.031, and gradient boost tree = 0.047), R-squared (artificial neural network = 0.045, deep learning network = 0.044, and gradient boost tree = 0.073), and correlation coefficients (artificial neural network = 0.95, deep learning network = 0.98, and gradient boost tree = 0.97). Based on the findings, all models demonstrate high accuracy, with very low prediction errors that are closely matched. However, the deep learning network exhibits a slightly lower, albeit statistically insignificant, error. These results can be valuable for enhancing the precision of saffron export planning. Manuscript profile
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