فهرست مطالب seyed mahdi mirdamadi

Thus, this study was done to investigate the impacts of climate change adaptation strategies on smallholder household food security among horticultural crop farmers. 456 farmers were selected through stratified random sampling. A questionnaire was utilized for data collection consisting of four sections. Data were analyzed with structural equation modeling using Smart-PLS 3.0. 89 percent of households were anxious and uncertain about food supply, 76 percent were households with insufficient food quality, and 71 percent did experience the inadequate quantity of food intake and its physical consequences. Also, farming and non-farming strategies had a positive and significant impact on the role of farmers in adapting to climate change, while infrastructure and support strategies had a significant impact on the role of government and rural institutions in adapting to climate change. In addition, the effect of the role of farmers and the role of government and rural institutions in improving the dimensions of food security was positive and significant, but only in relation to the role of farmers on food consumption was not observed.

The purpose of this research is to investigate the requirements of using new digital technologies in order to improve the sustainable livelihood of farmers. This research is a survey research. The statistical population of this research included all the farmers of Tehran province who have used modern digital technologies in their farms and their number is 112. Due to the limited number of farmers who have used new digital technologies, all of them were surveyed using a census. Data analysis was done using the structural equation method (SEM) with the help of Smart PLS3 software. The research findings show that the educational requirements of using new digital technologies with a path coefficient of 0.236 have a positive and significant effect on improving the sustainable livelihood of farmers, as well as economic requirements with a path coefficient of 0.234, structural requirements with a path coefficient of 0.146, institutional requirements with a path coefficient of 0.135, policy requirements with a path coefficient of 0.118, management requirements with a path coefficient of 0.114, and skill requirements for using digital technologies with a coefficient of 0.104 have a positive and significant effect on sustainable livelihood.

The share of agricultural sector in West Azerbaijan province, Iran from surface water abstraction is 91.2%. Excessive consumption of water resources, drought and destruction of agricultural lands, dependence of work and livelihood of 1.2 million population of province on the agricultural sector, the adoption of long-term development plans, have intensified the water crisis in agricultural sector. Therefore, managing the consumption of surface water is essential. This study investigates the effect of agricultural, economic, policy-making, climatic, socio-cultural and educational scenarios on management of surface water consumption and availability.

The present study is an applied research has been carried out using the dynamic system approach in order to achieve sustainable management of water resources in West Azerbaijan province. First, the statistical data from the previous years (1991-2018) are entered into the system using Excel and SPSS software. Then, the dynamic system model is developed in VENSIM software. To ensure the efficiency of the model in evaluating policies, the model validation test is performed. After making sure that the model works efficiency, population growth scenarios with different fertility rates, PS1 (2.11 children), PS2 (1.95 children), PS3 (1.5 children) and PS4 (2.6 Children) and climatic scenarios with a probability of 20% annual rainfall reduction, continuation of the current rainfall trend and 20% annual rainfall improvement are introduced to the model. Additionally, investment scenarios with the aim of 0.5% improvement in the annual irrigation efficiency and the crop scenario such as low-consumption cultivation pattern are introduced to the model. Moreover, the impacts of participatory and education scenarios, are simulated up to the horizon of 2051.

The results showed that in the validation test there is a high correlation between the simulated values ​​and the observed values ​​of surface water, and the model is effective in evaluating policies. Upon continuation of the rainfall current trend, available surface water decreases by 3.76% during the simulation period (2018-2051). Droughts intensify with a decrease of 20% of annual rainfall due to the direct effect of rainfall on runoff, available surface water is reduced by 20.54%. The largest decrease in the surface water content is related to the scenario of reduced rainfall (-20%) together with the scenario of increasing fertility rate (ps4), which cause a decrease in the available surface water by 46.15%. Population growth has increased the total water consumption and even agricultural water demand by 27% over the 2051 horizon. Simultaneously using low-consumption cultivation pattern scenarios, investment to improve irrigation efficiency, participatory activities and training programs to improve water management, water consumption decrease by 29.20% and agricultural water demand from the surface water decrease by 31.37% under these conditions, the available surface water improves by 9.12% to the horizon of 2051.

The results showed that, it is necessary to review population scenarios at the national level. Also, the agricultural scenario of observing the pattern of low-consumption cultivation with reducing water demand per hectare is known as the best scenario and its application has increased the available surface water by 2.45 times.Keywords: Water resource management, Economic/policy-making scenarios, Climatic scenarios, West Azerbaijan province

The share of agricultural sector in West Azerbaijan province, Iran from surface water abstraction is 91.2%. Excessive consumption of water resources, drought and destruction of agricultural lands, dependence of work and livelihood of 1.2 million population of province on the agricultural sector, the adoption of long-term development plans, have intensified the water crisis in agricultural sector. Therefore, managing the consumption of surface water is essential. This study investigates the effect of agricultural, economic, policy-making, climatic, socio-cultural and educational scenarios on management of surface water consumption and availability.

The present study is an applied research has been carried out using the dynamic system approach in order to achieve sustainable management of water resources in West Azerbaijan province. First, the statistical data from the previous years (1991-2018) are entered into the system using Excel and SPSS software. Then, the dynamic system model is developed in VENSIM software. To ensure the efficiency of the model in evaluating policies, the model validation test is performed. After making sure that the model works efficiency, population growth scenarios with different fertility rates, PS1 (2.11 children), PS2 (1.95 children), PS3 (1.5 children) and PS4 (2.6 Children) and climatic scenarios with a probability of 20% annual rainfall reduction, continuation of the current rainfall trend and 20% annual rainfall improvement are introduced to the model. Additionally, investment scenarios with the aim of 0.5% improvement in the annual irrigation efficiency and the crop scenario such as low-consumption cultivation pattern are introduced to the model. Moreover, the impacts of participatory and education scenarios, are simulated up to the horizon of 2051.

The results showed that in the validation test there is a high correlation between the simulated values ​​and the observed values ​​of surface water, and the model is effective in evaluating policies. Upon continuation of the rainfall current trend, available surface water decreases by 3.76% during the simulation period (2018-2051). Droughts intensify with a decrease of 20% of annual rainfall due to the direct effect of rainfall on runoff, available surface water is reduced by 20.54%. The largest decrease in the surface water content is related to the scenario of reduced rainfall (-20%) together with the scenario of increasing fertility rate (ps4), which cause a decrease in the available surface water by 46.15%. Population growth has increased the total water consumption and even agricultural water demand by 27% over the 2051 horizon. Simultaneously using low-consumption cultivation pattern scenarios, investment to improve irrigation efficiency, participatory activities and training programs to improve water management, water consumption decrease by 29.20% and agricultural water demand from the surface water decrease by 31.37% under these conditions, the available surface water improves by 9.12% to the horizon of 2051.

The results showed that, it is necessary to review population scenarios at the national level. Also, the agricultural scenario of observing the pattern of low-consumption cultivation with reducing water demand per hectare is known as the best scenario and its application has increased the available surface water by 2.45 times.

Economic development requires investment in various sectors, including agriculture. Without investment, employment growth, production and socio-economic prosperity cannot be expected. Many developing countries and Iran are facing a shortage of capital and financial resources and need to attract foreign direct investment to compensate for their lack of capital and financial resources. The purpose of this study is to identify the effective indicators of the economic factor in attracting foreign investment. The statistical population of the research includes parliamentarians, elites active in the field of financial economics and agriculture, and a group of professors who specialize in both academic fields and are related to foreign investors, and there are a total of 100 people. The results of the research show; Of the 21 indicators studied, all economic indicators are effective in attracting foreign investment, but the "degree of market economy" or the principle of free trade is the most important. Then the indicators of "increasing the profitability of agricultural activities", "exchange rate stability" and "domestic financial market stability" and the three indicators of "agricultural sector growth rate" and "domestic private sector investment in agriculture".

The entrepreneurial ecosystem has played a key role in economic development and the emergence of innovation-based economies. To develop entrepreneurship in the agricultural sector, it seems necessary to identify the constituent elements of this ecosystem. The purpose of this study was to investigate the dimensions affecting the agricultural entrepreneurship ecosystem development based on the views of extension experts in Kermanshah. The research is of applied research type and the data collection method is non-experimental research. The statistical population of the present study is 255 extension experts in Kermanshah and the sample size has been calculated using Cochran's formula equal to 153 people. The data collection tool is a questionnaire containing 49 items to assess the factors affecting the development of the entrepreneurial ecosystem. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire were confirmed by expert review and Cronbach's alpha coefficient. The dependent variable is entrepreneurial ecosystem development, which is measured by the number of high-growth companies, the number of new companies participating, the export performance of small companies, the number of new businesses and the net growth of the business population in agriculture in Kermanshah city. The regression results showed that the factor of laws and policies (beta coefficient 0.426), cognitive-cultural factor (beta coefficient 0.298) and educational-extension factor (beta coefficient 0.138) had the greatest impact on entrepreneurial ecosystem development. Establishing supportive laws and policies for the governmental and non-governmental can develop successful ecosystems in the field of agriculture.

Received: 31 December, 2015 Accepted: 24 April, 2017 This study aimed at examining the human communication techniques to improve the performance of extension educators from viewpoint of construction soldiers of Jihad for Agriculture Ministry of Iran. It was a quantitative study in nature, an applied research in terms of purpose and a descriptive study in terms of methodology. Statistical population included 222 individuals of the concerned soldiers and the data was collected by a survey approach through questionnaire. The results showed significantly positive relations of audio and verbal communication, nonverbal communication, writing communication, models of communication, informing with communication process and importance of communication process (P=99%) with the performance of extension educators. Also, the results of regression analysis showed that about 41 percent of the variance in the perception of respondents about the improved performance of extension educators was explained by the audio and verbal communication and nonverbal communication.

Extension productivity as a process are combined of efficiency, effectiveness, intellectual orientation and attention to the standard quality levels for the system that have to be consider its goal in obtaining maximum benefits and potentials regarding to current resources and facilities. Such organized process requires an extensive awareness from all effective factors in productivity improvement and increase from which the achieved results can be available for planners, policy-makers and administrators. The purpose of this causal- correlative study was to investigate affecting factors of apicultural extension productivity in Caspian zone, Iran by applying path analysis. Research population was all beekeepers of Caspian zone (5273 people) that out of which, 315 beekeepers were selected through stratified random sampling method. The research tool included a questionnaire that validity of which was confirmed by a group of professionals. A pilot study was conducted during the Cronbach's alpha test which was calculated to determinate the reliability of data collection instrument and was found to be in acceptable range from 0.68 to 0.81. Results showed that age of beekeepers, had a negative effect and use of audio-visual equipment, personal communication channels; apiary area and adoption of innovations have a positive effect on apicultural extension productivity. Also two variables of beekeeper’s age and apiary area affect the apicultural extension productivity directly and indirectly by influencing on the use of audio-visual equipment, personal communication channels and adoption of innovations. In this analysis, beekeeper’s age and adoption of innovations had minimum and maximum direct effects respectively on apicultural extension productivity. Also, Beekeeper’s age had maximum indirect effect. Based on the findings, some executive recommendations have been presented at the end of the article.