نیر امامی

Precision agriculture promises to enhance economic benefits while maintaining more environmentally friendly farming practices. Despite the efforts to facilitate the adoption of Precision Farming Technologies (PFTs), the adoption remains low. Using an extended version of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) with two external constructs of Personal Innovativeness (PI) and Compatibility (COM), this study investigated the pioneer farmers’ Intention (INT) to use PFTs. In this survey research, a questionnaire was used for data collection from a sample of 295 farmers (N= 295). The results showed that the extended model could promote the explanatory power of the TAM and explain 72.6% of the variation in farmers’ INT to use PFTs. Respondents were relatively innovative (Mean= 3.25), had positive Attitudes (ATT) (Mean= 3.53), and had relatively positive INT to use PFTs (Mean= 3.24). In contrast, they perceived that PFTs were challenging to use (Mean= 2.7), relatively useful (mean=2.93), and lowly compatible with their small-scale farming systems (Mean= 2.66). COM was the most critical factor affecting INT, followed by Perceived Ease of Use (PEU), Perceived Usefulness (PU), PI, and ATT. At the same time, PEU had no significant effect on ATT, indicating that when farmers assess PFTs, ease of use is not a problem, but PEU is essential when they intend to use these technologies. Considering the high initial investment requirement and knowledge-intensive nature of PFTs, policy, and educational interventions are required to facilitate farmers' utilization of these technologies. To achieve the best results, one should begin with pioneer farmers.

Precision 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.

Pesticides are the major components of production in modern agriculture, however, as their widely usage, the hazards associated with their wastes have become of increasing concern. The aim of this study is to investigate orchard farmers’ attitudes toward proper disposal of pesticide wastes.

The statistical population of the study includes all orchard farmers in Meshkinshahr County (N=32,300). A total sample size of 300 farmers was selected and the data were collected. The research instrument was a questionnaire which was validated by a panel of university staff. A pilot study was conducted with 30 farmers outside the sample villages and Cronbachchr('39')s alpha showed high reliability of the instrument.

Due to the pesticides use, significant amounts of wastes are produced annually. Farmers do not properly dispose pesticide wastes. They leave the wastes on the farm, dump it in canals or river flow, or burn it. Farmers were not well informed about triple rinsing of containers before disposal. Most farmers used masks, hats, and gloves, 53% used boots and 7.7% used goggles, though none of them used coverall during pesticides’ handling. Respondents took negative to moderate attitudes towards proper wastes disposal. Age, education, and participation in extension programs were the most important determinants of the attitudes.

Considering the relatively negative attitude and improper waste disposal, it is necessary to establish centers for waste collection, to inform and encourage farmers to dispose of waste properly. Relevant organizations, such as health and the environment should plan for pesticide waste management.

Organic agriculture is one of the most important agricultural systems that is quickly developing throughout the world. The main cause of attention towards organic agriculture is necessity of production of healthy agricultural products and free from chemicals. The main purpose of this research is to analyze the attitude of Ardabil province's farmsteads towards organic agriculture . The research method is descriptive and survey. The statistical population consisted of all the petty farmers in Ardabil city. (6380) The sample size was determined by multi-stage sampling method and using Cochran's formula for 230 people. A researcher-made questionnaire was used to determine the reliability of the index (AVE), which was at least 0.50 calculated. To determine the reliability of the combination method (CR), the minimum value was calculated to be 0.91 and the alpha value of 0.88 for the research tool was also indicative of its reliability. The findings showed that the majority of farmers had a relatively positive attitude toward organic farming. the results of structural equation modeling showed that there was a positive and significant relationship between knowledge and information sources with the attitude of the apple cultivars towards organic cultivation.

Cooperatives by strengthening social capital play an important role in improving the performance of social, cultural and the environmental institutions and improve the effectiveness of their role. The aim of this study was to compare social capital of active and inactive agricultural production cooperatives in Ardabil County of Iran. Survey research method was used in this study. All members of agricultural production cooperatives consisted the statistical population of the study (N= 2009). Using stratified random sampling method, a sample consisting 180 members of both groups of the cooperatives was selected for data collection. A researchers made questionnaire including four dimensions of social capital and demographic characteristics was used as instrument of the study. The instrument was validated by a panel of experts consisting faculty members and bureau of cooperative. Cronbach's alpha coefficients showed high reliability of the instrument (α= 0.720-0.938). Stratified random sampling was used. Based on the results, significant difference was found between active and inactive cooperatives in relation to all components of social capital and members of active cooperatives showed higher level of social capital than their counterparts in inactive co-ops. The status of most components of social capital in active cooperatives was in high-level and medium level was identified in inactive cooperatives. Based on the variables of gender, marital status, education levels and years of membership, significant difference was found between members of active co-ops.

This study aims to evaluate service quality of of rural production cooperatives in ArdabilCounty. Survey research method is used in this study. All members of the rural cooperatives consist the statistical population of the study and a sample of 180 members of active and inactive cooperatives is selected and the data collected by using standard questionnaire of SeveQual with two sections, i.e., expected and perceived quality. Content and face validity of the instrument confirmed by experts. To measure reliability of the instrument, Chronbach''s alpha was calculated applying a pilot study with 30 members. alpha values of o.882 and 0.912 were obtained for expected and perceived quality, respectively. Results shows that there are significant differences between expectations and perceptions in five dimensions of Seve Qual model for the both groups. So that, in active cooperatives the perception scores are higher than expectations for four dimensions (reliability, responsiveness, assurance and empathy) however, in the inactive cooperatives, perception scores are significantly lower than expectations. Expectation scores in active and inactive cooperatives are 29.56 and 29.68 howevere, their perception scores are 28.02 and 11.85, respectively. It shows that despite of equal expectations of members, inequal services presented by the cooperatives which implies that regardless of other factors, it could affect on the second group to be inefficient and inactive.