International Journal of Agricultural Management and Development: 5 (4)

Open Access Article

1 - Role of Social Capital in Citrus Growers’ Empowerment in Sari County, Northern Iran
مهدی چرمچیان لنگرودی

The study aimed at investigating the role of social capital incitrus growers’ empowerment in Sari County. The statisticalpopulation comprised 12 800 citrus growers in Sari County.The stratified random sampling was employed in this study inan attempt to recruit 291 More

The study aimed at investigating the role of social capital incitrus growers’ empowerment in Sari County. The statisticalpopulation comprised 12 800 citrus growers in Sari County.The stratified random sampling was employed in this study inan attempt to recruit 291 individuals as prospective participants.Data collection tool was a questionnaire. In order to establishits content validity, several copies of the questionnaire weredistributed among professionals and experts, their opinions onthe validity of the questionnaire were polled, and the necessaryadjustments were applied based on their insightful comments.Cronbach's alpha was reported as 0.87 for the questionnaire.SPSS (Ver. 16) was used for data analysis. The average socialcapital level and citrus growers’ empowerment were at a highlevel. The indices of meaning, trust, impact, competence, andself-determination ranked first to fifth among the citrus growers’empowerment in Sari. The awareness, participation, interactions,solidarity, and social trust were prioritized from the first to thefifth among the citrus growers’ social capital in Sari. The regressionanalysis showed that 12.4 percent of the citrus growers’empowerment variance was explained by social capital, andthat social capital played an important role accounting for 35.6percent of citrus growers’ empowerment. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

2 - Farming Techniques, Environmental Challenges, and Technical Efficiency of Sweet Potato Production in Abia State, Nigeria
نمدی اهریم گلوری بن چندو استفن اونیوگوچا اوبون اسین امکا اوسوجو ملیسا اوکوارا

Viable sweet potato production is hard to achieve with indiscriminate use of farm inputs, resulting to wastage and environmental damages, as consequences are common problems of arable crop farming in Abia State. Issues arising from farm input use and their corresponding More

Viable sweet potato production is hard to achieve with indiscriminate use of farm inputs, resulting to wastage and environmental damages, as consequences are common problems of arable crop farming in Abia State. Issues arising from farm input use and their corresponding implications for environment called for a study on suitable farming practices and farm-specific technical efficiency for optimal resource use in sweet potato production in Abia State. Data were obtained from 156 sweet potatoe farmers through a multistage sampling technique using a structured questionaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as mean, relative frequency distribution, and the stochastic production frontier. Results showed that using inorganic fertilizer (65.378%) under rainfed production system with a frequent bush burning (66.67%) and low liming (5.8%) were very common practices with leaching, fragile soil, erosion, flooding, and soil acidity as consequences. Mixed cropping (63.46%) with improved varieties like TIS 8164 (71.2%) and 0087 (64.1%) were copping measures to some environmental challenges. Maximum Likelihood Estimates (MLE) showed a decreasing return to a scale of 0.236. The implication is that an increase in farm size and fertilizer application can significantly lead to a less than 0.06538 and 0.08142 proportionate increase in output of sweet potato respectively, or reduces it by less than 0.00413, with interest on borrowed capital. The gamma (0.0403) was less than unity and was significant at p < 0.05, implying that about 4.30% discripancies in observed and frontier output was due to technical inefficiencies of sweet potato farmers. The wide disparity in farmers’ technical efficiencies ranged from 0.298% to 99.4%, and a mean of 47.1% suggested a need to bridge the gap. Hence, a reduction in household size, farming experience, and sourcing of planting materials from NRCRI or IITA is believed to increase farmers’ technical inefficiency, which can be reduced with age and formal educational level of sweet Potato farmers in the area. All in all, the results suggest that reducing bush burning but increasing liming as well as including organic soil ammendments and irrigation practicies, when combined with the use of young and educated farmers, can reduce environmental damages and also increase farmers’ technical efficiency when it comes to sweet potato production in the area. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

3 - Rural Development Factors with an Emphasis on the Role of Cooperatives in Guilan Province, Iran
حسین اصدق پور زهرا امیری

Rural development is a process involving local people in solving their problems. As a strategy designed to improve the social and economic well-being of rural populations, rural developmentundoubtedlysupportsnation-widedevelopmentina country like Iran with a rural-based More

Rural development is a process involving local people in solving their problems. As a strategy designed to improve the social and economic well-being of rural populations, rural developmentundoubtedlysupportsnation-widedevelopmentina country like Iran with a rural-basedsociety. Theconstitutionof the Islamic Republic of Iran stipulates that rural development should be viewed as a key function of the government. This paper aimsto determine factors that constitute rural development in GuilanProvince(North of Iran).The presentstudyexamined75 rural development indices derived from official documents.Theywerethenstandardized and classified according to six factorsusing the numerical taxonomy approach:humanresources, infrastructure costs, socio-cultural costs, economic performance, location and natural resources, and rural management. Share of each factor was rated by statistical analysis. The results of the analysis showed a negligible change in rural management and economic costs,whileother factors remained constant and no change was made to theimpact status and rankof the six factors germane torural development. The studies recommendsrevisingthe economic structure and rural management of the province basedon cooperatives. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

4 - An Investigation of the Factors Influencing Entrepreneurial Intention of Senior Agricultural Students at Shiraz University
احسان معصومی ناصر زمانی خدیجه بذرافکن محمدرضا بذرافکن

The increasing number of students graduating in agricultural majors and the limited employment opportunities supplied by the government suggest the importance of developing students’ entrepreneurship competencies and improving their entrepreneurial intentions. The More

The increasing number of students graduating in agricultural majors and the limited employment opportunities supplied by the government suggest the importance of developing students’ entrepreneurship competencies and improving their entrepreneurial intentions. Therefore, it is necessary to identify factors influencing students’ entrepreneurial intentions. The purpose of this survey was to determine the extent of entrepreneurial intention among senior agricultural students and to identify the main factors influencing their intentions. Research population comprised all senior agricultural students who were studying at Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran. A sample of 196 students was selected through stratified random sampling. A questionnaire was developed to gather data. Face validity was verified by agricultural extension and education experts. Cronbach’s alphas ranged from 0.66 to 0.87 indicating good reliability. SPSSwin19 was employed to analyze the data. Results revealed that subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and attitude toward entrepreneurship strongly correlated with students’ entrepreneurial intentions. Regression results indicated that students’ attitude toward entrepreneurship could explain 40 percent of changes in their entrepreneurial intentions. In the end, suggestions and possible solutions were provided based on the research findings Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

5 - Measurement of Technical Efficiency and Production Risk in Zabol Dairy Farms
جواد شهرکی مصیب پهلوانی نسرین اوحدی

Given entrepreneurs’ special role in the economic growth and development, many developed and developing countries are attempting to motivate more number of people who have entrepreneurial characteristics towards entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial activities. The More

Given entrepreneurs’ special role in the economic growth and development, many developed and developing countries are attempting to motivate more number of people who have entrepreneurial characteristics towards entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial activities. The purpose of this research was to study the effectiveness of entrepreneurship training courses in Ilam Province, Iran. In this research a descriptive survey method was used. The statistical population consisted of 830 people that based on Cochran’s formula and by using proportionate stratified random sampling method 130 people were selected as the sample. The research tool was a questionnaire which its validity was confirmed by a panel of experts’ and its reliability was estimated using Cronbach’s alpha as to be 0.83 proving its high reliability. Data were analyzed by SPSS Software Package. It wasfound that participants’inclination towardsself-employment and entrepreneurship was increased after attending the courses. Also, significant differences were observed in participants’ readinessto start a business, their familiarity with entrepreneurship concepts and their ability to make a business plan before and after attending the courses. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

6 - Institutionalizing Entrepreneurship in Side Industries of Agriculture in Khouzestan Province, Iran
احمدرضا عمانی

The purpose of this study was assessment of institutionalizing level of entrepreneurship in citrus processing and complementary industries in Khouzestan Province, Iran. The method of research was descriptive. The statistical population comprised managers of complementar More

The purpose of this study was assessment of institutionalizing level of entrepreneurship in citrus processing and complementary industries in Khouzestan Province, Iran. The method of research was descriptive. The statistical population comprised managers of complementary and processing industry of citrus products in Khouzestan Province (N=75). For the purpose of this study, a census was conducted and opinions of all managers were studied. The main instrument in this study was a questionnaire the validity of which was established by a panel of experts and its reliability coefficient was obtained by using a Cronbach’s alpha (0.89). Institutionalizing level of entrepreneurship was assessed by three subsections that include: continuity, comprehensiveness and becoming a social reality. Based on the results, the level of continuity, comprehensiveness, and becoming a social reality, respectively, was low (2.4-2.6), moderate (2.83-2.85), and moderate (2.71-2.84). Based on the results, the correlation between participation in extension programs, accountability, risk taking, tendency to be creative, competitiveness, attitude to entrepreneurship, the level of education and entrepreneurship institutionalizing was significant. In addition, multivariate regression analysis showed that the variables of participation in extension programs, accountability, risk taking, tendency to be creative, competitiveness, attitude to entrepreneurship, and the level of education had explained 63.6 percent (R2=0.636) of entrepreneurship institutionalizing’ changes. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

7 - Entrepreneurial Strategies of Enhancing Competitive Advantage of Medicinal Herbs in Ilam Province, Iran
محمد جاسمی همایون مرادنژادی محمد سلاورزی

Finding new ways to compete in competitive markets is the essence of strategic thinking and marketing strategy. This issue has always been addressed by the experts and scholars of economics and management overrecent decades. In this regard, the present study explores th More

Finding new ways to compete in competitive markets is the essence of strategic thinking and marketing strategy. This issue has always been addressed by the experts and scholars of economics and management overrecent decades. In this regard, the present study explores the entrepreneurial strategies to gain a competitive advantage in IlamProvincemedicinal plants. This studyemployed a mixed-methods research paradigm. In the qualitative part, Delphi method and in quantitative part the Analytic Hierarchy Process was used. The population in the qualitative part comprisedexperts in the fields of marketing, entrepreneurship and herbs in IlamProvince that among them 12 participantswere selected using purposive sampling methods. In the quantitative part, the population included 33 experts in the field of medicinal plants which were studied by census method. The data were collected using a paired comparison questionnaire and analyzed by Expert Choice11 software. Results showed that according to considered criteria in this research) differentiation strategy, ways to reduce costs, focusing on customers and market strategies, innovations and risk taking strategy) differentiation strategy plays the greatest role in gaining advantage for medicinal plants in Ilam Province. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

8 - A Survey on the Existence of Price Discrimination Behavior in Iran’s Saffron Exporting Market by Using PTM Model
الهه محمودی مجید محمودی

One of the most important effects of exchange rate movementsisitseffecton the exporting price of different products. According to the new trade theories, market structure plays an important role in relating exchange rate depreciations to price declines. In Iran, exchang More

One of the most important effects of exchange rate movementsisitseffecton the exporting price of different products. According to the new trade theories, market structure plays an important role in relating exchange rate depreciations to price declines. In Iran, exchange rate has increased in recent years.Inspired by this assumption, this paper attempts to investigate the impact of exchange rate movements on the exportprice of saffron (which is the most important non-oil export product after pistachio)in Iran over the period of 2001-2012.As shown by the results of the present study, the country effect (λi) for each destination is significant except for United States. In addition, the exchange rate’s coefficient is significant for all countries in our sample. Accordingly, as also indicated by the related literature,the hypothesis of the existence of competitive market is rejected, and this lends support to the idea thatprice discrimination in saffron marketis regularly applied by Iranian exporters,whichsuggeststhat the government should try to support this strategic product by suitable policies. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

9 - Evaluation of Palm Groves Technical Efficiency Using Bootstrap Data Envelopment Analysis: A Case Study of Roodkhanehbar Area, Iran
غلامرضا زمانیان مصطفی خواجه حسنی

Roodkhnehbar area, having approximately 111 thousands of Keriteh palm trees, is one of the most important areas of date production in the Rudan County[1]and the source of peoples’ income in this area, directly or indirectly. As a result, its production efficiency More

Roodkhnehbar area, having approximately 111 thousands of Keriteh palm trees, is one of the most important areas of date production in the Rudan County[1]and the source of peoples’ income in this area, directly or indirectly. As a result, its production efficiency has a critical importance to the orchardists in this region. This study aims to evaluate technical efficiency of palm groves in this area using input-oriented bootstrap data envelopment analysis and sampling 50 palm groves of Keriteh date producers of Roodkhanehbar area in 2013. The results suggested that 64% of date producers operate with less than 50% efficiency and only 14% of them operate efficiently. The study, then, carries the implication that it is recommended to train the orchardists, providing a chance for successful orchardists to share their experiences with others in an attempt to optimize allocation of inputs. [1]Rudan County is a county in Hormozgan Province in Iran Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

10 - Factors Affecting Farmers' Satisfaction: Case of Agricultural Production Cooperatives in Guilan Province, Iran
محمد طالقانی مهران مهدی زاده

The aim of this study was to identify and prioritize factors affecting farmers’ level of satisfaction in agricultural production cooperatives ofGuilan Province, Iran. To this aim, library studies were conducted, and 15 factors affecting farmers’ satisfaction More

The aim of this study was to identify and prioritize factors affecting farmers’ level of satisfaction in agricultural production cooperatives ofGuilan Province, Iran. To this aim, library studies were conducted, and 15 factors affecting farmers’ satisfaction were identified. Next, they wereprioritized byfield studies using a questionnaire. The statistical population consisted of members of agricultural production cooperatives in Guilan Province. The sample comprised93 farmers who were recruitedusing the Cochran formula. The questionnaires were distributed among farmersfrom12 cooperatives usinga mix of random and proportional sampling methods and 100 questionnaires were collected. The content validity of the questionnaire was established and its reliability was estimated to be 79 percent using a Cronbach's alpha. To prioritize the factors, the researchers calculated means cores by using SPSS. Results indicated that empathy and cooperation among members, giving advice and guidance to members in case of problems, as well as effective communication with the local community are, respectively, the three factors that have the strongest effect on farmers' satisfaction in the studied region. In addition, the results showed that satisfaction of the majority of the members of cooperative activities was at a moderate level. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

11 - Perceived Effects of Poor Road Transportation Network on Crop Production in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, North Central Nigeria
لطیف لاوا آدفولا اولوواسوگو دیوید اولورونفمی لطیف کهینده اولاتینوو یوسف اولاتونجی

This paper examines the effect of the poor road transportation network on crop production in one of the rural agrarian local government of Kwara State, Nigeria. A well-structured interview schedule was conducted to elicit information from 120 crop farmers using a two-st More

This paper examines the effect of the poor road transportation network on crop production in one of the rural agrarian local government of Kwara State, Nigeria. A well-structured interview schedule was conducted to elicit information from 120 crop farmers using a two-stage sampling technique. Findings from the study revealed that the poor road transportation network in their area had led to a reduction in their income, longer time in transporting produce to more buoyant markets, as well as incurring high transportation costs. Chi-square analysis revealed that there was a significant relationship between age, educational level, years of farming experience, and the respondents’ perceived effects of poor road transportation network for their crop production. The study recommends an urgent intervention from government and stakeholders in terms of construction and rehabilitation of roads in these rural agrarian areas in an attempt to help improve the livelihoods of the farmers through enhancing transportation of produce to more buoyant markets in good condition and at less cost. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

12 - Measuring the Technical Efficiency of Canola Farmers and Determining the Effective Factors in Tabriz County, Iran
سپیده رستمی دولت آبادی محمد قهرمان زاده

The purpose of this study was to measure the technicalefficiency of canola farmers and determine the underpinningfactors. Required data were collected using stratified randomsampling method and questionnaire survey. In this context, 157canola farmers from Tabriz County, More

The purpose of this study was to measure the technicalefficiency of canola farmers and determine the underpinningfactors. Required data were collected using stratified randomsampling method and questionnaire survey. In this context, 157canola farmers from Tabriz County, Iran, were asked to fill outthe questionnaire in 2012-2013 growing season. The technicalefficiency was evaluated using stochastic frontier approach. Theresults of inputs production elasticity indicated that all inputswere consumed in economic area. In addition, the highest (0.504)and lowest (0.095) elasticity rate was related to water consumptionand education level, respectively. The estimated technical efficiencydemonstrated that the highest and lowest technical efficiencieswere 25 and 95% with an average of 80%. It should be noted thatthe highest efficiency was observed in the farms with the areacovering 3-4 hectares. Furthermore, the estimated inefficiencymodel indicated that education level, training course number,and cultivated area negatively affected the inefficiency. Bycontrast, age of farmer had a positive effect on inefficiency. Asthe results show, educating and training farmers for the optimumuse of inputs as well as improving their knowledge as to promoteagricultural products should be taken into account. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

13 - The Analysis of Iran Cotton Producers’ Risk Degree Based on Non-Linear Mean-Standard Deviation Model
ابراهیم مرادی اسماء عبداللهی درمیان

As regards decreasing cotton cultivation in Iran during these years, the degree of risk taken by a cotton cultivator in the agricultural part is important. The studies showed that the cotton crop yield during the past years did not have enough growth and the cotton cost More

As regards decreasing cotton cultivation in Iran during these years, the degree of risk taken by a cotton cultivator in the agricultural part is important. The studies showed that the cotton crop yield during the past years did not have enough growth and the cotton cost product in the period of study cotton production costs, has increased. In this paper, the risk orientation of cotton cultivators was investigated; the researchers have done this employing a parametric approach and the Saha Mean-Standard Deviation Model. Statistical information and the cost product of provinces which produce cotton between 2000-2010 were collected. Econometric models with panel data were estimated. The results showed that cotton cultivator aversion, risk, and the trend increased when the income and the fluctuation cost product went up in each hector. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

14 - Impact of Peripheral Factors on Reducing the Consequences of the Targeted Subsidies from the Greenhouse Owners' View Point: The Case of Semnan Province, Iran
محمدصادق صبوری سیاوش نوری مصطفی کرباسیون

The purpose of this study was to investigate the peripheral factors on reducing the consequences of the targeted subsidies from the view point of greenhouse owners of Semnan Province, Iran. The population of the study comprised greenhouse owners of Semnan Province. The More

The purpose of this study was to investigate the peripheral factors on reducing the consequences of the targeted subsidies from the view point of greenhouse owners of Semnan Province, Iran. The population of the study comprised greenhouse owners of Semnan Province. The sample size was calculated using Cochran formula and encompassed a number of 287 greenhouse owners. The main research tool used in this study was a questionnaire. SPSS v21was used to analyze the data obtained through the questionnaires. Based on hypotheses and theories, questions were designed, and after testing validity and reliability (based on the dependent variable Cronbach's alpha was calculated equal with 87.8) indices, modifications were performed. To examine the hypotheses of this research, the correlation coefficient was estimated, and a multiple regressions analysis was run. The results showed that current expenses, using the proper structures for constructing greenhouse, method of fuel use, the perfect place of heaters, and the use of skilled workers in the greenhouse had a key role in reducing the impact of targeted subsidies plan (dependent variable) on greenhouse owners. These variables explained 40.2 per cent of the variance in the dependent variable. Manuscript profile

Open Access Article

15 - Recognizing the Reasons for Success of Growth Enterprises at Agriculture Sector of Semnan Province, Iran
فرهاد لشگرآرا علیرضا ترابی مریم امیدی نجف آبادی

Small and medium enterprises play a significant role in economic and industrial development in the developed and developing countries. The main purpose of the study was to investigate the key factors in the effective of growth enterprises. The statistical population of More

Small and medium enterprises play a significant role in economic and industrial development in the developed and developing countries. The main purpose of the study was to investigate the key factors in the effective of growth enterprises. The statistical population of this study according to assessment of Agri-Bank of the Semnan Province includes the managers of enterprises in agricultural sector of Semnan Province who were evaluated as successful enterprises (1932 agricultural units). For determining the sample 125 persons were selected by using Cochran’s formula through stratified random sampling. The main tool for collecting data was questionnaire. The results indicated that 6.4% of agricultural growth enterprises were fully successful, 79.2% were successful, and 13.6% were rather successful. According to the results, there was a significant difference between the achievement levels of growth enterprises in different educational groups with confidence level of 95%. In addition, regression analysis showed that seven variables of initial capital, current production value, years of activity, number of personnel, firm size, investment amount, and business history altogether explained 47.7% of variance in the growth enterprises. Manuscript profile

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