فصلنامه اقتصاد کشاورزی و توسعه
پیاپی 123 (پاییز 1402)

The support policies implemented by the government for wheat crop, which is a strategic crop in Iran's agricultural sector and has different distributional effects in the provinces of the country, are of great importance. In this study, while calculating the indicators of market price support (MPS), budget payments (BP) and producer support estimate (PSE) of wheat in the period of the Third to Fifth Economic, Social and Cultural Development Programs of Iran, their correlations with yield per unit area of dryland and irrigated wheat production were investigated and then, for planning and policy making, the provinces were classified into homogeneous clusters by K-means algorithm. According to the results, despite the implementation of the same policies across the country, the amount of market and budget support and total support to producers varies due to differences in climate and producers' behavior in input consumption, production technology, productivity, comparative advantages and distance from customs, so that wheat farmers in lower productivity provinces received more support per kg. Also, pricing policies did not supported producers in most years, but the PSE index showed that farmers of all clusters were supported in the three development programs by 882, 1549 and 1200 IR rials/kg, respectively. Contrary to BP, MPS and PSE indicators in most provinces had positive and significant relationships with irrigated wheat yields. Finally, considering the differences in clusters, it was suggested that for higher productivity clusters, various pricing and budget policy packages with higher support coverage levels should be designed in accordance with the optimal consumption pattern of top farmers' inputs; in addition, by changing the pattern of policies from price support to budget support, on the one hand, the price of products will be kept close to the global price and on the other hand, the direct intervention of the government in the product market will be avoided.

The thriving and efficient future market for agricultural products can contribute to the development process in this sector. In fact, increasing the efficiency of the agricultural market, reducing marketing margins and improving the warehousing network, packaging and distributing products, along with the development of investment in the agricultural sector, are a set of factors that can accelerate the growth and development of the agricultural sector. Obviously, the benefits will be obtained if there is an instant, enormous and active market, and the first condition for the success of a future agricultural market is the existence of suitable and consistent future contracts and agricultural economy in Iran. So, the questions to be answered in this study included: Which agricultural products are able to launch a futures market? What are the order and priorities of these products to enter the futures market? This research was conducted with a mixed approach including a qualitative-quantitative method. Therefore, the data were analyzed in two phases: the first phase used a qualitative method for identifying the necessary standards of different products to enter the future market, and the second phase used a quantitative method to measure the identified standards by calculating the identified indicators; and finally, the regression model was estimated to calculate the future value. The identification of standards (phase 1) was based on the qualitative methodology of the grounded theory; and using the six standards identified in the previous phase, the standards and the value of future transactions for different products were calculated (phase 2). The required data were collected for the period 2008-2017, including the necessary variables to proxy the value of future transactions and the volume and price of transactions from the Agricultural Commodity Exchange (ACE), the price of agricultural products and the yields of products from the statistics of the Ministry of Agriculture-Jahad (MAJ), the amount of export and import from the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA), the total cost from the Statistical Center of Iran (SCI), and the level of homogeneity from the opinions of experts and the comments received from the concerned professionals. This study aimed at identifying the necessary standards and ranking of agricultural products for trading in future markets. For this purpose, 12 agricultural products that were not accepted in the commodity exchange and future markets were examined. Firstly, using the grounded theory through interviews with experts, the necessary standards for the acceptance of agricultural products in the future market were identified. Then, a quantitative calculation of standards and finally, an estimation of regression and ranking of products to enter the future market were determined. Using interview coding and research background, the necessary standards for acceptance in the future markets were found as follows: income risk of products, cash market size, liquidity cost, degree of homogeneity, degree of commerciality and perishability. Also, the examined products based on the value of future exchanges, in order of priority, included fodder corn, pistachios, dates, raisins, canola, grain corn, peas, soybeans, lentils, wheat, tea, and barley. The fodder corn, pistachios, dates and raisins products were the first products obtained the highest values, respectively, for futures trading, based on the estimated model and obviously, the products with more value for futures trading might be more successful in futures trading. Therefore, it is suggested that the policy makers of the agricultural sector consider the six mentioned factors in creating the future market of agricultural products. It is necessary for policymakers of the agricultural sector to consider that soybeans, rapeseed, chickpeas, seed corn and fodder are the most homogeneous and barley, pistachio and tea products are the most heterogeneous products among all exchangeable goods in the future markets of selected agricultural products. Therefore, it is expected that more homogeneous products will have a higher level of prosperity and success due to the high standardization and grading capabilities that are essential for exchangeable products in the future markets.

Exchange rate is a variable that can affect the performance of economy and economic variables. By any change in the exchange rate, food prices and consequently, food consumption is affected. The exchange rate is one of the most important factors affecting the food consumption due to its effects on the price of imported goods. Fluctuations in the exchange rates and consequently, food price fluctuations, by affecting the access dimension, make it impossible to realize food security. With this approach, in the present study, the effects of fluctuations in free market exchange rates on the food consumption in rural areas of Iran were examined. In addition, in order to examine the effectiveness of government policies to control currency fluctuations over recent years, the effect of preferential currency subsidy policy on consumption in the rural areas was analyzed. Achieving these goals provides the necessary knowledge to modify current policies or adopt new currency policies. Theoretical model of the research was first explained by applying theoretical foundations and various studies. Then, the information needed to conduct the study was collected during the period of 2005-2021. Next, the stationary of the model variables was examined through Levin, Lin and Chu (LLC) and Fisher-Dickey Fuller (Fisher-ADF) tests. Finally, the short and long term relationship between variables analyzed in the formwork of ARDL panel model.  The results showed that the increase in exchange rate fluctuations reduced household consumption in rural areas in the short and long terms; in addition, although the preferential currency subsidy policy had a positive and significant effect on the household consumption, this effect was not noticeable. On the other hand, based on the results, the price index of food groups had a negative effect on the food consumption in the rural areas of Iran in the short and long terms and by contrast, the increase in household income had a positive and significant effect on the food consumption in the rural areas in the short and long terms. Finally, the results of the Error Correction Model (ECM) showed that due to the low speed of adjustment, currency shocks had a long lasting effect (nearly two years) on food prices in Iran's economy. According to the study results, the preferential currency policy does not provide the possibility of achieving the goal of food consumption stability; therefore, it is necessary to remove it and use managed floating currency policies. With the removal of the mentioned policy in order to support the food security of the weak classes of the society in the short term, the distribution of food packages through trustee institutions including the relief foundation and the welfare organization can be considered. The cash-in-kind payment policy is also one of the policies that can provide more appropriate distribution of subsidies in the short term. However, in the long term, increasing or stabilizing the purchasing power of people, especially the low-income and weak classes, is only possible through employment creation policies as well as strengthening production and supply.

The level of aquifers has decreased as a result of the decrease in the water level of Urmia Lake in Iran. In addition, the infiltration of both salt water and excess salts, especially nitrates, caused by the use of chemical fertilizers have reduced the quality of groundwater in Urmia plain. Saline waste water, return water, agricultural activities, evaporation and infiltration of sea water are among the salinity factors of water resources. On the other hand, in modern agriculture, the yield and productivity of the product is improved by the use of chemical fertilizers. For this reason, agriculture is known as the most important source of non-point pollution of groundwater nitrates caused by human activities. The nitrate range of plain varies from 0 to 115 mg/l. Also, the level of EC varies from 0.3 to 2.9 ds/m. Both ranges are in warning points, which should be prevented from increasing excessively by adopting management measures. This study mainly aimed at investigating quantitative and qualitative changes of irrigation water in agro-economic terms. The present study was conducted in Urmia plain located in Urmia city of Iran. The area of the plain is 962 km2 and is located on the western side of the lake. The yields of irrigated wheat, forage corn, sunflower and tomato were simulated using the AquaCrop model in the cropping year of 2022-2023; then, the options of reduced irrigation, reduced fertilization and increased groundwater salinity were applied in all stages of crop growth. Also, four groups of climatic, crop, soil and management data were used for the simulation. In proportion to the fact that decreasing crop yield has economic effects, the effects were investigated by calculating water and nitrogen fertilizer physical and economic productivity indexes. Both consumption amount of each input per hectare and the purchase cost of each input were obtained through the interviews with 140 farmers using random classification sampling method. By adding all the costs, the cost of each product was calculated and the farmers' income was obtained according to the yield and price of the products. Then, changes in costs were examined by changing the amount of irrigation and fertilization. Changes in income were also calculated by applying each option, and net profit was obtained by changing the costs and revenues. By carrying out yield simulation and applying options, the impacts of yield reduction on farmers' productivity and profit were calculated and accordingly, the potential areas for growing each crop in each region were determined. Decreased fertilization demonstrated the utmost effect and increased salinity of irrigation water and groundwater revealed the least effect on the yield of crops. Among the two indexes, the economic productivity index of water IRI rials/m3 and fertilizer IRI rials/kg was chosen, based on which tomato (209580, 3005000) and sunflower (177630, 2115720) in region 5, forage corn (94900, 1323500) and irrigated wheat (5620, 454570) in regions 3 and 6 had the highest rate, respectively. Furthermore, the rate of fertilizer economic productivity index was higher than water productivity. After calculating these indicators, the value of the water and fertilizer economic productivity index was recalculated after applying the options and the changes were analyzed. With the reduction of irrigation, the water economic efficiency index for some crops decreased in some areas and increased in some other areas, but with the decrease in fertilization, the economic efficiency of fertilizer decreased in all areas and all crops. In both options, tomato and wheat had the highest and lowest amount, respectively.  Considering the obtained results and the quantitative and qualitative effects of water reduction in the region, it is necessary to reduce the effects of excessive use of chemical fertilizers before reaching a critical stage. In addition, reducing the excessive use of surface and underground water is vital. If the current trend continues, the cultivation pattern and the type of land use should be changed according to the conditions, or additional costs may be imposed on the farmers to eliminate the effects of excessive consumption, and all these cases require proper management of water resources to maintain their quantity and quality. Given the high impacts of the fertilizer reduction option and the economic productivity index of fertilizer, the possibility of replacing organic fertilizers with nitrate ones should be technically and economically investigated and the high price for using more than the recommended amount of nitrate fertilizers should be determined. These policies are also effective for reducing salinity because the main source of groundwater salinity is excessive fertilization. It is also suggested that appropriate irrigation technologies are introduced to the farmers and the correct cultivation patterns are presented in each region of the whole area. Finally, strict management actions should be taken to moderate the destructive effects of excessive fertilization and to reduce the over-exploitation of surface and groundwater.

The commercialization of knowledge and technology, as a link between research and the market, is an effort to monetize innovation, which is currently highly regarded in the knowledge-based economy. The main purpose of this research was to identify the challenges of commercialization of agricultural research achievements in the field of agricultural sciences as well as the strategies to facilitate and accelerate their commercialization. 

The statistical population of this study consisted of all faculty members of research institutes related to agricultural sciences in Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO) (N=263) and the chief executive officers (CEOs) of companies contracted with the concerned research institutions (N=91). This descriptive-correlation study was conducted in 2021 using survey method. Questionnaire was used to collect data. The collected data were analyzed using exploratory factor analysis technique by principal component analysis method and the most important challenges as well as strategies to facilitate the commercialization of knowledge and technology in the agricultural sector were identified, classified and prioritized. 

Challenges in the development of commercialization of research achievements of AREEO from the perspective of the studied researchers and faculty members of the institutions were identified and categorized in seven factors, including: "the nature of technologies", "weaknesses in laws, regulations and government support policies", "weaknesses in the education system", "weaknesses in the policy, management and manpower of institutions and centers", "weak information structure and interaction with the private sector", "AREEO's weak commercialization policy", and " feeling unnecessary thr need for commercialization". Commercialization challenges of the AREEO's research achievements in the field of crop sciences identified from the perspective of CEOs of private companies were categorized into six factors including: "weaknesses in government support policies, laws and regulations", "weak information structure and interaction with the private sector", "nature of technologies", "restrictions on the activities of international companies in Iran", "weakness in capability of private companies" and "AREEO's weak commercialization policies". The strategies to facilitate the commercialization of research achievements were also categorized in six factors, including: "strengthening the information system and increasing interaction with the market and the private sector", "strengthening the commercialization capacity of technologies", "strengthening government support for commercialization", "human resource development and organizational structure in institutions", "private sector support to increase their investment" and "revision of the AREEO's commercialization policies". The strategies suggested by the respondents were also grouped in four factors, including: "strengthening government support for commercialization", "strengthening the information system and increasing interaction with the market and the private sector", "strengthening the commercialization of technologies" and "participating in the empowerment of private companies". 

Increasing communication and interaction between AREEO as a public organization with the active companies in agriculture, in addition to aligning the market needs with the research conducted in the public sector, can also lead to an increase in the productivity of research in the public sector. In addition, the removal of internal obstacles of production and commercialization, and the improved business environment are among the necessary government supports for the development of commercialization of research activities. Finally, suggestions were proposed and discussed to improve the commercialization of research achievements based on the identified challenges.

Among the critically forbidden plains of Tehran province, Varamin plain is more critical. The agricultural sector in this plain consumes more than 80 percent of the underground water resources. In the Varamin plain, most farmers tend to use traditional irrigation methods such as flood and leaky irrigation to irrigate their lands. According to economists, the reason for the low efficiency of irrigation and the loss of water resources in this sector, which has led to the current situation of the Varamin plain, is the low price of water compared to the other inputs. Therefore, it is essential to review the current method of water pricing and determine the reasonable water price in this plain. So, this study was conducted to answer these questions: What is the economic value of water in the Varanin plain? How can a change in water price affect the crop pattern and the farmers' profit? What are the responses of farmers to changing the price of this input? How much can a rise in water prices save the water input? Answering these questions can be a step towards modifying the pattern of water consumption in the Varamin plain. Therefore, this study aimed at calculating the economic value of the water and then, analyzing the impact of an increase in water price on farmers' reactions and the crop pattern in the Varamin plain.

The economic value of water was estimated through two methods calculating the residual value by subtracting the cost of all inputs except water from the income for each product and evaluating the shadow price of water using Positive Mathematical Programming (PMP). Then, the impacts of water price changes on the crop pattern, water consumption, and farmers' profits were estimated using PMP model. The water demand function and water elasticity also were estimated by a stepwise increase of 5 percent in the water price in the third stage of the PMP model. The required data was collected by completing 120 questionnaires using the stratified sampling method and proportional allocation from the farmers of three cities in the Varamin plain including Varamin, Pishva and Pakdasht in the cropping year of 2019-2020. The data were collected for six crops (wheat, barley, corn, alfalfa, cucumber, and tomato), including the quantity and price of production and the quantity and price of inputs (land, seed, fertilizers, pesticide, water, labor, and machinery) in the concerned cities.  

The weighted average of each cubic meter of water using the residual value as well as the shadow price methods were equal to 35769.8 and 23917.6 IRI rials, respectively. This result shows a big difference between the economic value and the price paid by farmers, which is between seven to ten-folds. The results of estimating the demand function of water showed that the water demand elasticity was equal to zero up to the price of 27386.1 IRI rials. At higher prices, the farmers responded to the increase in water price, and the elasticity of water demand was equal to -2.15 on average. Based on the results, the shadow price of water obtained from PMP model (23917.6 IRI rials) does not affect the crop pattern and the water consumption, although it reduces farmers' profit by 48.66 percent. The economic price of water obtained using residual value method (23917.6 IRI rials) causes a decrease of 36.84 percent in the cultivated area, a 25.24 percent reduction in the water consumption, and a 74.59 percent reduction in the profit. Most of the change in the cultivated area was related to barley. Although, this crop consumes less water per hectare than other crops, the share of water cost per kilogram of barley is higher than the other products. After barley, the cultivated area of wheat, alfalfa, corn, cucumber, and tomato would respectively decrease for the same reason.

The results showed that applying the policy of increasing the price of water up to its economic value led to a decrease in farmers' profits and might reduce their motivation in production. In addition, applying this policy suddenly can lead to adverse reactions such as resistance and avoidance of paying this water price, social tensions, and public discontent. Therefore, gradually adjusting and increasing water prices for a long time was suggested. By adopting this policy, gradually, agricultural water consumption would decrease, and the cropping pattern would shift toward water-saving crops.

Designing hypothetical markets and utilizing stated preference models, such as the Contingent Valuation Method (CVM), to assess the value of non-market services provided by natural and environmental resources is accompanied by various problems. These problems can be broadly categorized into two groups according to Williams (2016). Firstly, there are challenges related to the initial stage of study design, which occurs before estimating the econometric model. Secondly, there are problems related to selecting, estimating, and interpreting the results derived from the models. These challenges include selecting the appropriate model type, conducting estimations and ultimately, interpreting the results correctly (Williams, 2016).

In natural resource valuation research, logistic models are commonly employed in various forms including ordinary logistic regression, conditional logistic regression, ordered logistic regression, multinomial logistic regression, as well as other forms like mixed logit and nested logit (Baker and Ruting, 2014; Greene, 2018). This study thoroughly analyzed the interpretability of logistic regression in the normal logistic mode and it was preferred using the risk ratio index over the odd ratio index, because it was found to be more practical. However, the study mainly aimed at calculating the extent of changes in the probability of an event occurring, rather than representing its multiplication. This notion was quantified and articulated through the concept of marginal effect. In the studies conducted in Iran, the values of marginal effect were typically measured and expressed based on the average level of the considered independent input and the average of other independent inputs in the model. In addition, however, the marginal effect concept for each independent variable can be measured and expressed in three different ways (Williams, 2020): 1) Marginal Effect at the Means (the means of independent variables) (MEMs), 2) Average Marginal Effects (AMEs), and 3) Marginal Effects at Representative Values of independent variable (MERs). To calculate the marginal effect in each case, the Adjusted Prediction (AP) index should be calculated. This index is measured in three different ways, depending on the type of marginal effects used in the calculation (Williams, 2020): 1) Adjusted Predictions at the Means (APMs) (Means of Independent Variables), 2) Average Adjusted Predictions, and 3) Adjusted Predictions at Representative Values of Independent Variables. To assess the recreational value of Avidar Lake in Nowshahr County of Iran, the Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) and the One-and-One-Half Bound (OOHB) model were used. During the summer season of 2019, a total of 270 questionnaires were filled out. The odds ratio, risk ratio and marginal effects Indexes were estimated by Eviews software. 

The study findings indicated slight variations in the calculations of Marginal Effects of Means (MEMs) and Average Marginal Effects (AMEs). Furthermore, the results of Marginal Effects at Representative Levels (MERs) calculations demonstrated changes in the marginal effect values of independent variables across different levels of these variables. The average amount that the users were willing to pay for each leisure visit to Avidar Lake was determined as 334900 IRI rials by integrating the area under the curve of visitors' demand. Additionally, the annual recreational value of the lake was calculated to be 8650 million IRI rials. This value would reflect the economic potential of Avidar Lake in terms of creating recreational opportunities. 

Based on the study findings and to enhance its applicability in real-world scenarios and improve its effectiveness in practical policies, it is recommended that studies focusing on the assessment of natural resources and the environment prioritize the calculation of comprehensive outcome indicators using the specific details outlined in this study. More specifically, the study results demonstrate that evaluating the average result across various levels of variable values (rather than solely considering the average value) can effectively capture and illustrate the diverse impacts resulting from policy implementation at these different levels (in terms of the intensity of change impact).

Investing in agricultural research is one of the main factors in increasing agricultural productivity, which has significant effects on economic growth, poverty alleviation, and food security. Despite the role of agricultural research, the evidence shows that the public sector agricultural research systems, especially in developing countries, have shortage of resources over recent decades and faced the challenge of financing the agricultural research projects. In such circumstances, documenting the benefits of agricultural research is a primary requirement for an appropriate level of public support. In this research, the economic impact assessment of research activities in Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center of Guilan province in Iran was examined. 

In the first place, the economic surplus analysis approach was used to evaluate the economic impact of the research activities of the investigated center. This approach uses a market framework in which the achievement of research (knowledge or technology) causes a shift in the supply curve, so that the economic benefits as a surplus accrued to producers and consumers, resulting from changes in price and quantity (value) product are calculated; therefore, it becomes possible to determine the return on investment in a research by calculating the increase in the economic surplus (welfare) of producers and consumers during the application of its achievements. 

Based on the findings of the research, the internal rate of return of the research activities of the Guilan center was 49 percent on average, which is lower than the rate of 81.3 percent reported by some studies (eg Alston et al., 2010); but it is in line with the reported results of some other studies (eg Fuglie and Heisey, 2007) that recorded the major returns of the research under review between 20 and 60 percent. The average benefit-cost ratio of the investigated research activities of Guilan center was 6.7 and its minimum and maximum were 0 and 52, respectively. In other words, in this research center, some research projects lacked efficiency and economic benefits. The Net Present Value (NPV) of the benefits of the investigated research activities of the Guilan center during the acceptance period of their findings amounted to 853611025002 IRI rials. The research departments of animal science, agriculture and horticulture, plant protection, technical and engineering, and soil and water with the average benefit-cost ratios of 11.4, 8.5, 5.1, 3.3 and 3.1, respectively, had the highest to lowest returns and appeared to be economic usefulness and their research activities were generally justified and profitable. The average economic return or cost-benefit ratio of research departments was calculated as 6.7, indicating that with each IRI rial allocated to research activities, an average of 6.7 IRI rials of efficiency and economic effectiveness would be achieved; considering the global average obtained by the former mentioned study (Alston et al., 2010) of $ 32, it seemed to be underestimated. 

In general, the research activities of Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center of Guilan province have the economic return and effectiveness, but these are relatively less than the average in the world.

Fruit and vegetable marketing system in Iran has been very inefficient and has caused dissatisfaction on both sides of the market, i.e. consumers and producers. Citrus fruits, as the first horticultural product with the production of 5.6 million tons, have accounted for 23 percent of the country's total horticultural production. Iran's share of the global citrus production is 3.7 percent and ranks the seventh in the world, but its share in the global export of citrus fruits is less than 0.25 percent and ranks the 31st in the world. The south region of Kerman has the third place in the country with the cultivated area of about 33 thousand hectares and the production of 587 thousand tons of citrus fruits. If we separate the citrus fruits of this region into their different types, the region ranks the second in orange production and cultivated area after Mazandaran, and the third in lime production and cultivated area in the country after Fars and Hormozgan provinces. Considering the importance of creating a citrus value chain in improving the marketing system and the sustainability of production and export, this research tried to find the best structure of the citrus value chain among the commercial models in the world according to the condition of the region and the economic, socio-cultural, and structural components.  In this research, the method of completing the questionnaire was used to prepare the required information by holding briefing sessions and training workshops for elites and experts related to citrus production and trade in the region. In order to analyze the data, calculate the weight of criteria and sub-criteria and achieve the best citrus value chain model, Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method was used. In the first place, four main criteria and 21 related sub-criteria were identified by examining the types of business models in the value chain. After collecting the data through the AHP method, these criteria were prioritized in terms of their importance.  The results from analyzing the matrix of pairwise comparisons of four economic, environmental, structural and socio-cultural criteria as the main criteria in choosing the best citrus value chain model in the south region of Kerman province from the elites' point of view revealed that the economic criterion was the most important criterion with a weight of 0.361 in choosing the best model; in addition, the citrus value chain played the main role and the environmental, structural and socio-cultural criteria were ranked the second, third and fourth in importance, respectively. In another part of this research, the importance of 21 sub-criteria were investigated and prioritized based on their relative weights in choosing the regional citrus value chain model. Among the seven components of the economic criterion, "specialization and mechanization of the production system" and "productivity", among the five components of the socio-cultural criterion, the components of "creating trust in the people" and "investment security", among the three components of the environmental criterion, the components of "preservation of water and soil resources" and "plant health standards" and finally, among the six components of the structural criteria, the components of "supplying energy and water" and "developing product funds" played the main roles as the most important components in the selection of the citrus value chain model in the south region of Kerman province. If all of the studied four criteria and 21 sub-criteria were considered together, among the four business models in the value chain, the "market maker" model would be the best option with the highest relative weight (0.427) and the "layer player" model would be the last one and the least important option with a relative weight of 0.09; in addition, "integrator" and "orchestrator" models were ranked as the second and third with relative weights of 0.297 and 0.186, respectively. The evaluation results from the pairwise comparisons of the mentioned criteria were estimated with an inconsistency rate of 0.04, which proves the compatibility and reliability of the elites' judgments. Therefore, the "market maker" model can be emphasized by planners and policymakers as the best and first priority of the citrus value chain model in the south Kerman province.

Due to the industrialization of societies, urban life, and the increase in demand for agricultural products, the distance between producers and consumers led to the formation of groups to establish communication links between food producers and consumers. This was the beginning of the formation of the marketing of agricultural products in the world. Efficient marketing of agricultural products will increase the income of rural people, which considering the key role of income in the stability of the rural economy, will indirectly increase the level of well-being and quality of life of the rural households. Lorestan province of Iran has 780 thousand hectares of arable land. But unfortunately, due to the lack of sufficient knowledge in the field of marketing and branding in the agricultural industry of this province, the products produced by farmers are either traditionally sold through local bazaars or sent to the markets of other provinces through brokers and intermediaries. Therefore, this aimed at identifying the existing obstacles to the development and progress of agricultural product marketing in this province. This was an applied study and the analytical-descriptive method was used to identify and prioritize the obstacles affecting the marketing of agricultural products in Lorestan province. The data and information of the research were collected in two ways of documents and surveys. The statistical population of the research included nine experts and professionals in the field of production, marketing, and sale of agricultural products in the concerned province. Also, the opinions of these experts were obtained to give weight to each of the indicators in the form of a questionnaire and face-to-face interview. Those who were among authorities tended to present their judgments in the form of a range instead of a fixed and specific value, the reason for this issue can be seen in the human nature and mental dispersion of the responsible people when making decisions. Therefore, what management science researchers paid special attention to in the 80s was the impact of qualitative criteria along with quantitative criteria in their conclusions and decisions. This effort led to the creation of Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method and then, Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP) method. In this research, the improved FAHP method was used for data analysis. In the first method, indicators are determined using different methods. After that, a questionnaire is prepared and the experts answer it, then fuzzy numbers are used to check the opinions of the experts.  As mentioned earlier, in this research, library resources were used to identify the indicators (obstacles) in the marketing of agricultural products. Thus, after many studies, 17 indicators were identified as effective indicators in the appropriate marketing of agricultural products, which were grouped into three main indicators of market structure and environmental, financial, and cultural factors. In the next step, questionnaires were prepared and given to the experts who were members of the statistical community of this study; and after completing these questionnaires, data analysis was done and the following results were obtained: Barriers (index) of market structure and environmental factors have seven sub-factors (sub-index). In this sub-index, lack of access to proper transportation was identified as the most important factor with a weight of 0.140. Financial barriers (index) have four sub-factors (sub-index). The results of the pairwise comparison of indicators related to financial obstacles showed that indicators of lack of sufficient capital for marketing and Lack of financial support from related institutions were identified as the first and second priorities in terms of importance with weights of 0.072 and 0.057. Cultural barriers (index) have six sub-factors (sub-index). For this index, after analyzing the data, it was found that the factors of farmers' lack of self-confidence and lack of marketing skills with weights of 0.057 and 0.053 had the most impact among the indicators of cultural barriers. Now, if we want to compare all the obstacles identified for the marketing of agricultural products in Lorestan province according to the weight of each of them, we will conclude that the index of lack of access to proper transportation with a weight of 0.140 is known as the most important factor among all the effective factors in the research. After this index, the indicators of the presence of middlemen and brokers with a weight of 0.103, and the lack of suitable facilities for packaging products with a weight of 0.080 took the next priorities.Discussion and Marketing is one of the most important activities that commercial organizations face. For this reason, in this research, the obstacles affecting the marketing of agricultural products in Lorestan province were investigated and prioritized. After analyzing the collected data, it was found that lack of access to proper transportation was the most important factor affecting the marketing of agricultural products in this province. According to the results of this research, it is suggested that the government, rural cooperatives, and non-governmental organizations implement policies to reduce the adverse effects of the factors identified in this research on the marketing of agricultural products so that by doing this, farmers' income would increase significantly. In addition to the stability of rural communities, we can witness the strengthening of the foundations of rural households and sometimes the reduction of social problems among them.