فهرست مطالب جبار طالبی

Context and purpose:

  One of the important issues in the agricultural production cooperatives sustainability is its role in creating and strengthening social capital. The pourpose was to measure and compare social capital between members and non-members farmers of production cooperatives.

The research was applied and quasi-experimental. The statistical population consisted of 460 farmers of Araz 1 and 2 production cooperatives (as experimental group) and Qiqaj Plain (as control group) in the the margin of Aras River in Poldasht Township. According to Krejcie and Morgan table and using proportional stratified random sampling, 142 and 68 people from the experimental group and control group were selected respectively. The research tool was a researcher-made questionnaire whose validity was confirmed by university faculty members and its reliability by Cronbach's alpha coefficient (0.73 to 85).

Overall, the extent of social capital was lower than average. According to Mann-Whitney test, the rank average of social capital and components of social trust, trust in government institutions, participation and relationships network were significantly lower among production cooperative members than non-members. However, no significant difference was observed between the components of social cohesion and trust in civic institutions between these two groups. Therefore, these production cooperatives have been established by the government in a top-down manner, which has caused the destruction of rural subculture and reduce social trust.

Previous studies have investigated social capital only form members viewpoint. Therefore, the use of experimental research method provides useful results for establishing and management of cooperatives.

The main purpose of this research was to exam the economic impacts of Araz 1 and Araz 2 production cooperative companies in Maku Free Zone. This research utilized a quasi-experimental research design with two wheat producers groups; experimental group (members of production cooperative companies) and control group (farmers of Gheighach plain). Employing a survey method, a questionnaire was used to collect data. Using simple randomized sampling method, 110 wheat farmers were selected. Results showed that membership in production cooperative companies has brought about 39, 60, 59, 92 and 64percent increase in production costs, yield, income, profit, and benefit-cost ratio, respectively. As well, it has caused more benefits from training courses, agricultural products insurance, and living accommodations for families. However, rich farmers have received more benefits compared to the other farmers and this has widened social gap between the members of cooperatives. Despite, cooperatives companies face with several challenges such as; high cost and lack of clearness in the field of irrigation water, lack of appropriate marketing, lack of silage and agricultural machines and equipment, lack of agricultural clinics and technical consulting services, inadequate and ineffective training courses, improper management of supply and distribution of irrigation water, lack of dredging water channels, improper use of water by farmers, and swamping and water logging of downstream lands. Based on the results, to increase the positive impact of cooperatives, it is recommended to act out solving recognized problems and fair distribution of inputs and services especially among smallholders.