The waste of agricultural products is considered as one of the major problems in Iranian agricultural sector. The present study is a descriptive-survey one in nature that focused on exploring correlations and comparison. Data were collected through a number of questionnaires and were analyzed by SPSS. The relationships between dependent and independent variables were analyzed by obtaining the Pearson's correlation coefficient. The statistical population of the study comprised the participants of vermicompost Training Courses in 2011-12, farmers of Estalkh Zir Village where the vermicompost project was implemented, and facilitators and promoters of the agricultural sector. The results of this investigation showed that there was a relationship between the dependent (familiarity, the skills and interest rate) and independent variables (agricultural waste management) and that it was confirmed p<0.05) that the impact of the four independent variables was significant on the dependent variable at 0.95 level. As a result, all factors as independent variables are believed to have contributed to waste management. The results of Pearson’s correlation test confirmed all the hypotheses of the study. Duncan’s test also indicated that there was a significant difference in terms of waste management among the existing factors, namely interest rate, levels of familiarity and awareness, skills, and support from authorities. پرونده مقاله

The objective of the present study was to financially compare chemical and agricultural management methods of rice blast disease, as a prevalent disease in paddy fields of Langerood in Guilan Province, Iran. Thirty-three rice experts and 373 paddy farmers were selected by random sampling procedures. Data were collected by a research made questionnaire and were analyzed by SPSS. Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) was utilized for analysis to recognize the most efficient disease management method. Given the costs in 2012 and the evaluation of economic variables of chemical disease management procedures in paddy fields per acre, it became evident that agricultural disease management methods can replace the chemical ones financially. Furthermore, the comparison of farmers’ demographic, economic and agricultural characteristics by Chi-squared test among agronomic method and chemical method users showed no significant relationship between paddy farmers’ gender, age and farming experience, but there was a significant relationship between cultivation area and management method at the 0.05 significant level. However, there was a significant correlation between disease management methods and the size of the area under cultivation. Furthermore, there were significant differences between experts and farmers’ professional viewpoints in their preferences of disease management methods. While experts insist on an integrated application of chemical and agricultural procedures, most farmers apply chemical disease management methods. پرونده مقاله