فصلنامه تحقیقات اقتصاد و توسعه کشاورزی ایران
سال پنجاه و یکم شماره 2 (تابستان1399)

Nowadays, poultry and its products are proposed as one of the main sources of protein for consumers. In this study the efficiency of broiler chicken   producers in Sistan region was estimated. Because of the sensitivity of data envelopment analysis to amount of inputs and outputs, the interval data envelopment analysis method was used to impose uncertainty.  The results showed that the average of constant return to scale interval efficiency was in the interval of (0.158, 0.612). The best and the weakest unit were in the interval (0.03, 0.08) and (0.28, 0.94), respectively. Considering constant return to scale efficiency, 10% of the units had potential efficiency. Assessment of constant return to scale efficiency indicated that the average, the best, and the weakest units were in the efficiency intervals of (0.69, 0.23), (0.466, 1), and (0.099, 0.179). Variable return to scale efficiency showed that 25% of producers have potential efficiency. The estimated intervals revealed that by providing resources, appropriate conditions are available   to increase efficiency of broiler chicken producers in Sistan region. Thus, it seems that providing the shortcomings of these units leads to enough motivation to impose ideal management. Finally, in order to assure decision-makers in using the results of the study, the validity of the model was measured using the Monte Carlo simulation method. The results of this simulation indicate the ability of the IDEA model against unreliable data.

Kheirabad river basin is part of Zohre-Jarahi basin which is rich in surface water resources. But unprincipled usage of water and soil resources and also increasing water harvesting under climate change reduced the ability of the basin to respond to water demand. Reducing water storage of the Kowsar Dam as a result of reducing surface water inflows, make a concern to meet the future water demand at the basin. Therefore, the management of water resources in this basin is essential. In this study, we used a systemic approach to identify the factor affecting water supply and demand along with feedback and interaction between different elements for studying the behavior of the water resources system over time. The results of the study showed that the available surface water decrease and groundwater balance will be negative. Also, population growth and development of the agricultural sector will lead to an increasing trend in water demand and an increase in the surface and groundwater resources withdraw. Under these circumstances, water scarcity index is increasing and the water system sustainability index is smaller than the unit. The results also revealed that under business as usual (B.a.U) condition, the vulnerability index and maximum deficit of the water system are 0.119 and 0.213, and the reliability and sustainability indices are 0.50 and 0.703, respectively. Therefore, according to the results, the probability of not meeting the increasing demand of water, thus increasing the population and the level of crop cultivation, is predicted by using available water resources during the study period. Therefore, it is necessary to apply demand-side and supply-side management policies in Kheirabad River Basin. Among water demand-side management policies, increasing irrigation efficiency and changing crop pattern, by increasing the sustainability index from 0.703 to 1, are the most efficient policies. Besides, decreasing per capita water consumption plays an important role in increasing the water sustainability index in the basin.

In this study, the impact of different food groups’ consumption, social and economic indicator on the share of food in household expenditure in the rural and urban area of Iran investigated. For this purpose, panel quantile regression considered as the best technique. The results indicated that the impact of social and economic indicators and food groups’ consumption varies in different quantiles. Moreover, between social and economic variables, income, food price index and literacy rate considered as the most effective determinants of food expenditure in rural and urban areas. Furthermore, consumption of cereal and dairy in a rural area and cereal and vegetables in an urban area do not affect the household’s food expenditure; on the other hand, increase in consumption of meat and crop oils in rural and urban area upsurge the share of food in the household expenditure. Based on the results, the implication of policies, which lead to household income improvement and stabilized the food price can improve food availability in both rural and urban areas. Besides, the introduction of the innovative and stable method of dairy and vegetable production in a rural area and encouraging the urban household to consume more vegetables results in more diverse diet and enhance the food security and simultaneously don’t increase the share of food in household expenditure.

This study aimed to compare the economic efficiency of fixed head classic, center pivot, linear, and tape-drip irrigation systems using DEA with base on two types of constant and variable return to scale in Qorveh- Dehgolan plain for the agricultural year 2017-18 in Kurdistan province. The number of 171 farm selected as sample size through simple random sampling method. The necessary data was collected through interview and filling questionnaire. The results showed that, the average economic efficiency in fixed head classic, center pivot and linear in case of constant and variable return to scale of Alfalfa crop were 0.52, 0.58, 0.71, and 0.60, 0.73, 0.90 respectively. Therefore, it showed that, the economic efficiency of linear irrigation system was higher than center pivot and accordingly center pivot was more than fixed head classic irrigation system. Address to the results, it may recommend the proper study for the preparation of irrigation system change from current situation to linear one.

A holistic approach to the system of healthy, secure, accessible, and cost - effective village is defined as an effective and cost - effective approach that results in sustainable development. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of microfinance on the biomass of rural households.  The statistical population of the study consisted of all members of the rural microfinance facilities of the Sorkh Qhala Rural district. The sample size was calculated using the Cochran sampling formula of 512 individuals. The sampling method was str atified randomly. Data analysis was performed with SPSS25 and LISREL8.8 software. In order to study the fitting of the livability structure measurement model, the collected data were analyzed with LISREL software by the second factor confirmatory factor analysis. The results showed that among livability indicators, association and place attachment were in better condition than other indicators. In addition, It was as well found out that absoulte fit indices (GFI= 0.92, AGFI= 0.91), adjusted goodness of fit (CFI= 0.92, NNFI= 0.91), and parsimony (X2/df=2.899, RMSEA= 0.076) altogether confirmed the high goodness of fit of the model measuring constructs of livability with observed data. The results show that “Association and place attachment” is as potentiional indicator of livability. So, Association and place attachment is a basic factor for others relation to livability.

In the absence of capital and agricultural marketing problems, agricultural contracts are good ways to raise capital, ensure product sales, create fair prices, and ultimately, the balance development of the agricultural sector. It will lead to a more balanced distribution of the benefits of commercialization, with greater access to opportunities for more of the sector's activists. Cultivation contracts can help farmers and the industries, due to the possibility of cultivating different plants and the existence of processing industries in Bardsir. In this regard, 130 farmers were selected by random cluster sampling, in 2017-2018. Subsequently, four types of contracts were obtained based on the factors of pattern of cultivation, contract period, control over production, supply of inputs by the contractor and the manner of payment, using the fractional factorial design. The contractor's powers increasing from the first to the fourth contracts. Then, the effects of age, cultivar, history of agriculture, ownership, education, product diversity and the history of participation in agricultural contracts on the contracts were investigated, using the mixed logit model. The findings show that by increasing the area under cultivation, ownership and educational level, the probability of choosing the first to the third contracts increases compared with the fourth one (base contract), while with diversity of cultivation and farmer's familiarity with agricultural contracts, the base contract would be preferred. With an increase in work experience in agricultural activity, a change in the level of ownership from rent to a civilian, and an increase in the level of education, the probability of choosing the fourth contract decreased by 1.6, 14.5 and 22 percent, respectively. While diversity of cultivation and the history of participation in contracts, the chances of choosing this contract increased by 10% and 20% respectively. Therefore, the contractors is better to pay attention to farmers who have less cultivated land, more diverse products and lower education levels,  to increase productivity and support micro-farmers, by controlling and supervision.

In relation to agricultural development, “diversification” is probably one of the most frequently used terms in the recent decade. Product diversification is often presented as a strategy to improve the sustainability of agricultural production systems, which can lead to a reduction in the use of inputs - pesticides, fertilizers, water and environmental damage - with good management.  However, despite the benefits of diversification in terms of environmental and economic sustainability, this type of farming system has not yet been accepted among farmers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the psychological factors affecting farmers' intention to diversify agricultural products. To achieve this goal, the theory of planned behavior was used as the main framework. The statistical population of this study was consisted of all wheat farmers in Khoram Abad Township (N = 17623) that using Krejcie & Morgan table, the sample size was determined (n=375). To collect data, a researcher-made questionnaire was used. Data was analyzed using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) with AMOS 24 software package. The results showed that attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioral control have a positive relationship with farmers' intention to diversify agricultural products. In addition, the results showed that the subjective norm had the most direct effect and behavioral beliefs had the most indirect effect on farmers' intention.

The second largest producer of melon and cantaloupe is assigned to the Islamic Republic of Iran during the years 2001-2017 after China,and these products can play an important role in the development of non-oil exports. The paper aims to examine the place of Iran in the export of melons and cantaloupe among 15 major exporting countries. Needed information for calculating indices was gathered from FAO and TRADEMAP sources. The 15 largest exporting countries were selected for comparison: Spain, America, Brazil, Netherlands, Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, France, Honduras, Morocco, China, Italy, Iran, Australia, South Africa. The structure of the melon and cantaloupe market was investigated using indices of concentration ratio and Herfindal-Hirschman. Also, using the business mapping index and the global integration of the market, this market has been identified. In the following, by using the screening method (weighted average of the import advantage index and several other indicators), the target markets of Iranian melons and cantaloupe have been ranked.The results showed that the IRAN with the relative advantage of exporting 3.8 is ranked seventh in the world.Also, the average indices of the structure of the melon and cantaloupe market during the period of the study (2001-2017) are open-ended multilateral, with Spain having the highest share in the export of melon with 20% of the world market  and with other countries there is a lot of difference.in 2017, four countries (Spain, the Netherlands, Brazil, Guatemala) have nearly 50% of melon exports. Based on a basket of agricultural commodities, the evaluation of the trade plan during the period under review, showed that Iran was the winner in the declining markets. Based on the results of the screening method, the countries are the target markets for Iranian melons and cantaloupe, respectively In the first to thirteen priorities: United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Estonia, Armenia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, China, Kazakhstan, Hungary.

One way to achieve sustainable agriculture in the country and region is to transfer farms to organic farming fields. This is the case if farmers and producers tend to increase organic production, which means that the producer has the advantage of organic production. Commercializing and increasing the income of producers is one way to create this advantage. In Iran, there are problems and limitations in the production and commercialization of organic products. This research examines the commercialization challenges of organic products in Iran. The present study is applied in terms of purpose and from the perspective of the paradigm in the research group is qualitative and a methodology of ground theory has been used. The sample size was first determined by targeted method and then determined by snowball method. Data was collected through in-depth interviews, direct observations, library documents and Internet documents. The statistical population consisted of faculty members of the Faculty of Agriculture, Razi University of Kermanshah, and experts of the organizations (Deputy of Health Food and Agriculture and Kermanshah Organic Society). The main objective of this study is to explain and design a challenge model for selling organic products in Iran from the perspective of experts. In order to achieve this goal., the following questions have been raised: What are the business challenges in organic products? What are the root roots of these challenges? What are external factors outside the control of manufacturers in commercialization? In order to evaluate the research based on a theoretical method based on the criterion, acceptance is proposed instead of the criterion of reliability and reliability. Acceptance means that the amount of research findings is reliable and reflects the experiences of colleagues, researcher and reader on the phenomenon under study. Ten indexes for acceptance criteria have been introduced, of which 5 cases have been used in this research to improve scientific accuracy and validity. The strategies used include researcher sensitivity, methodological coordination, sampling proportions, repeatability of findings, and feedback from colleagues. The results of this research show that the challenges of commercializing organic products in Iran are divided into two categories of administrative-structural constraints and environmental constraints: the need for government support, complex licensing permits, complicated and difficult standards, lack of cooperation of the organization Related to the inadequate economic situation of society, the need for proper culture, lack of confidence in organic products, lack of market surveillance, costly production processes, agricultural dependence on climate, opportunity cost, inadequate infrastructure, lack of proper training for producers and proximity problems . What is learned from the research findings is the complexity and breadth of issues and challenges that are exposed to the marketing of organic products, which requires careful planning of the government and related institutions. Administrative-structural problems that threaten the commercialization of organic products can be met with the help of the government and the reform of administrative structures, cultural development and promotion of organic products, as well as increased support for producers and suppliers of organic products to the market. But manufacturing-environmental problems, which are a fundamental and fundamental problem in the production and commercialization of organic products, need to be fully and properly trained by manufacturers, and also need to be aware of the need to adapt themselves and their products to environmental conditions and readiness Enhance your own and your products with these problems. Given the challenges mentioned and based on the results of this study, it is proposed to reduce the business challenges of organic products: low interest payments and loans to support organic producers, the establishment and operation of cultivation and industry in agricultural areas and Away from contaminating sources, training courses for manufacturers to increase awareness and willingness to produce organic products, establish regulatory devices in organic products markets and organic producers, compensate farmers and insure their products, establish standards for the production of organic products In accordance with the environmental conditions of the country, the creation of a single organization on the ground Organic products improve the structure of the licensing process for organic products and build trust in organic products through the creation of a national organic brand in the country.

Women's empowerment based on the equality in all economic and social aspects is the cornerstone of achieving development. The goal of this study was investigating the factors affecting rural women's empowerment. The statistical population of this study was rural women (15 to 64 years old) in Likak County in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province (N=1300). The sample size (n=300) was determined using the Krejcie & Morgan's Table that selected through random sampling. Data were collected through a researcher made questionnaire. The questionnaire validity was approved by experts in agricultural extension and education. Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficients were approved by a pilot study (0.65–0.88). The results of structural equation modeling analysis revealed that stereotype has a direct and negative effect on women's empowerment. Self-esteem and motivation achievement had direct and positive effect on women's empowerment.

According to new literature, improving income distribution leads to economic growth. Considering this issue and the importance of agriculture sector in the economy, in this study, the impact of rural income distribution on agricultural sector’s growth has been analyzed dynamically and nonlinearly in Iran's provinces during the period of 2007-2016. For this, after confirming the existence of a long-run asymmetric equilibrium relationship, auto regression model with non-linear distributional lags was used to analyze the asymmetric effects. The result showed that the positive shocks of rural income inequality have a positive effect on agricultural growth in the long and short run. Also The negative shocks of rural income inequality have a negative effect in the short run and a positive effect on agricultural sector’s growth in the long run. According to the results, the effect of positive shocks is more than the negative shocks, which indicates the positive effect of income inequality on agricultural growth and the results are consistent with the old literature. In addition, the results showed that in the short and long run, the effect of consumer price index and government spending on agricultural growth was negative and positive, respectively. Also, the effect of tax on agricultural growth is positive in the short run and negative in the long run.

Human-water resources interface is a fundamental core to form the socio-economic structures and conceptual understanding of its evolution is important to investigate the causes of current challenges of water resources. Therefore, identifying and analyzing the human-water resources interface in agriculture sector of Iran by using a theoretical-historical approach was the purpose of this research. Also a descriptive-analytical method was employed to perform and write this paper. This study attempted to combine different theories such as “Asiatic Mode of Production (AMP)”, “social institutions”, “social changes (Ibn Khaldun theory and Marx theory)” in order to represent the formulation and evolution of human-water resources interface. In addition, the secondary data and literature were applied to describe the water resources change over time. Due to limitation of water resources, the Asiatic Mode of Production (autocratic central government and group work organization) was formulated and its major institutional features (despotism, ethnicity, and patriarchy) were reproduced in a repeatable cycle during the history. Human-water resources interface has been changed by two mutation steps (i.e. the constitutional movement and the land reform), and it was trying to transition from the traditional institutions (despotism, ethnicity, and patriarchy) to modern institutions (rights-based legislation and law-based administration). But it is seen that coexistence (sometimes peaceful coexistence and sometimes violent coexistence) was found between the traditional and modern institutions. Also, due to attempts to institutionalize and rearrange of human-water resources interface mechanisms an organized chaos has established that it has been considered as the major reason of water crisis in Iran.