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Raei Seyedeh Samaneh , Ebrahim Moradi, Ahmad Akbari,
Volume 10, Issue 35 (4-2021)
Volume 10, Issue 35 (4-2021)
Abstract
Introduction
The increasing population growth and the need for more agricultural products on the one hand, and on the other hand, the limitations of agricultural development are problems that human beings have always tried to solve. Due to the limited resources and inputs of production, it seems that further production growth is possible through advanced technologies. In fact, technology is something beyond the method of production and its processes; Technology is a mixture of knowledge, skill and technical ability. In fact, technology is something beyond the method of production and its processes; Technology is a mixture of knowledge, skill and technical ability. The use of technology can increase productivity, increase labor productivity, reduce production costs and reduce hassle of labor, hence encouraging villagers to continue agricultural activities. Therefore, the development of technology will play an important role in development strategies and rural economy. Based on the translog cost function, technological changes can be divided into three components: pure technical change, non-neutral, and scale expansion. Recognizing the changes in technology governing wheat farmers for this matter, and its growth rate to help improve and strengthen their status and provide analyzes based on economic principles should be considered.
Among agricultural products, wheat is considered a strategic product and has more than 50% of the total cultivation area of Iranian grain crops. Fars Province is the second province in terms of wheat production in Iran. Despite the high capability of wheat production in Iran, this province has changed its position in production due to instable production. Thus, addressing the issue of technological changes that can affect wheat production is of particular importance.
Also, in Fars Province, zoning plan of production areas was carried out in 2013 with the aim of transferring new knowledge to producers in the agricultural sector in small managerial areas called zones. In addition to the zoning plan in Fars Province (cities), in this research, an attempt has been made to address the changes in wheat farmers' technology and its impact on the rural economy using the geographical weight regression method.
Methodology
The current study is descriptive-analytical and applied in terms of aim. The data collection tool is in the form of documents which according to the information obtained from the experts of Fars Agricultural-Jahad organization during the period 2013-2018. First, the distance between cities was created using a Google Earth software to form a weight matrix; Then, the model was estimated with the translog cost function and by considering the weight matrix and the geographical weight regression method in Stata16 software. The statistical population of the study is wheat farmers in the cities of Fars Province, which is divided into 612 parcels. Now, after several years of implementation of this plan (zoning of Fars province), technology changes by its components (pure technical change, non-neutral change and scale expansion) to produce wheat in Fars Province was examined using weight regression approach Geographical (GWR). Because each implementation of technology change requires special policies, calculating technology changes by its components is vital and necessary.
Discussion and conclusion
The results of estimating the translog cost function by geographical regression model showed that seed, soil and water elasticity at the level of one percent and toxin elasticity at the level of five percent are significant. High coefficient of determination is also a good sign of fitness. Evaluation of the results of calculating technology changes shows that in the study period and with a geographical regression approach, the average progress of wheat technology in the rural economy of the province sums to 0.001. In addition, the average growth rates of pure technical change, non-neutral scale expansion are -0.005, 0.021 and -0.15, respectively. The share of the effect of non-neutral technical change rate in technology changes is greater than the share of pure technical change and scale expansion.
As the results show, the average growth of technology is not significant, which can be attributed to the lack of convergence of the average growth rate of non-neutral technical change and pure technical change and scale expansion. In fact, this level of technological advancement has not been able to have much positive effect on the rural economy in Fars Province. According to the results, it is suggested that for the growth of new technology, investment in mechanization infrastructure such as leveling, drainage, land consolidation and lending to be used to better use equipment and production facilities and benefit from the optimal scale of production because in practice, the performance of new technologies will be negligible if these issues won’t be considered.
In addition, the results show that cities; Marvdasht, Arsanjan, Kazerun, Sarvestan and Kharameh, which are located near the center of the province (Shiraz), have had the greatest impact due to technological changes in the rural economy, because they have more facilities. Abadeh, Neyriz, Mehr, Farashband and Rostam, which are located in the marginal areas of Fars Province, had the lowest average of technological changes in the region's economy, because they had less access to the use of new technologies.
In addition, the results of neutral change lead to cost savings on the production factors. In other words, technological changes have been able to manage the use of inputs to reduce production costs.
The increasing population growth and the need for more agricultural products on the one hand, and on the other hand, the limitations of agricultural development are problems that human beings have always tried to solve. Due to the limited resources and inputs of production, it seems that further production growth is possible through advanced technologies. In fact, technology is something beyond the method of production and its processes; Technology is a mixture of knowledge, skill and technical ability. In fact, technology is something beyond the method of production and its processes; Technology is a mixture of knowledge, skill and technical ability. The use of technology can increase productivity, increase labor productivity, reduce production costs and reduce hassle of labor, hence encouraging villagers to continue agricultural activities. Therefore, the development of technology will play an important role in development strategies and rural economy. Based on the translog cost function, technological changes can be divided into three components: pure technical change, non-neutral, and scale expansion. Recognizing the changes in technology governing wheat farmers for this matter, and its growth rate to help improve and strengthen their status and provide analyzes based on economic principles should be considered.
Among agricultural products, wheat is considered a strategic product and has more than 50% of the total cultivation area of Iranian grain crops. Fars Province is the second province in terms of wheat production in Iran. Despite the high capability of wheat production in Iran, this province has changed its position in production due to instable production. Thus, addressing the issue of technological changes that can affect wheat production is of particular importance.
Also, in Fars Province, zoning plan of production areas was carried out in 2013 with the aim of transferring new knowledge to producers in the agricultural sector in small managerial areas called zones. In addition to the zoning plan in Fars Province (cities), in this research, an attempt has been made to address the changes in wheat farmers' technology and its impact on the rural economy using the geographical weight regression method.
Methodology
The current study is descriptive-analytical and applied in terms of aim. The data collection tool is in the form of documents which according to the information obtained from the experts of Fars Agricultural-Jahad organization during the period 2013-2018. First, the distance between cities was created using a Google Earth software to form a weight matrix; Then, the model was estimated with the translog cost function and by considering the weight matrix and the geographical weight regression method in Stata16 software. The statistical population of the study is wheat farmers in the cities of Fars Province, which is divided into 612 parcels. Now, after several years of implementation of this plan (zoning of Fars province), technology changes by its components (pure technical change, non-neutral change and scale expansion) to produce wheat in Fars Province was examined using weight regression approach Geographical (GWR). Because each implementation of technology change requires special policies, calculating technology changes by its components is vital and necessary.
Discussion and conclusion
The results of estimating the translog cost function by geographical regression model showed that seed, soil and water elasticity at the level of one percent and toxin elasticity at the level of five percent are significant. High coefficient of determination is also a good sign of fitness. Evaluation of the results of calculating technology changes shows that in the study period and with a geographical regression approach, the average progress of wheat technology in the rural economy of the province sums to 0.001. In addition, the average growth rates of pure technical change, non-neutral scale expansion are -0.005, 0.021 and -0.15, respectively. The share of the effect of non-neutral technical change rate in technology changes is greater than the share of pure technical change and scale expansion.
As the results show, the average growth of technology is not significant, which can be attributed to the lack of convergence of the average growth rate of non-neutral technical change and pure technical change and scale expansion. In fact, this level of technological advancement has not been able to have much positive effect on the rural economy in Fars Province. According to the results, it is suggested that for the growth of new technology, investment in mechanization infrastructure such as leveling, drainage, land consolidation and lending to be used to better use equipment and production facilities and benefit from the optimal scale of production because in practice, the performance of new technologies will be negligible if these issues won’t be considered.
In addition, the results show that cities; Marvdasht, Arsanjan, Kazerun, Sarvestan and Kharameh, which are located near the center of the province (Shiraz), have had the greatest impact due to technological changes in the rural economy, because they have more facilities. Abadeh, Neyriz, Mehr, Farashband and Rostam, which are located in the marginal areas of Fars Province, had the lowest average of technological changes in the region's economy, because they had less access to the use of new technologies.
In addition, the results of neutral change lead to cost savings on the production factors. In other words, technological changes have been able to manage the use of inputs to reduce production costs.
Farhad Azizpour, Fatemeh Razaghi Borkhani, Maryam Mokhtari,
Volume 10, Issue 35 (4-2021)
Volume 10, Issue 35 (4-2021)
Abstract
Introduction
By expanding markets and diversifying products from the desired local product, "One Village, One Product" strategy, taking advantage of the region's potential in the competitive market. Utilizing the "One Village, One Product" brand, as a global product, demonstrates pride in local culture as well as an effective economic strategy, which is intended for the development of rural areas. The present study aims to investigate the strategy of "One Village, One Product” in the development of local economy seeks to answer the question that what are the characteristics of the initial level of the strategy in Nahrmian Shazand village? What is the status of the factors affecting the strategy of"One Village, One Product” in the studied rural area?
Methodology
The statistical population of the study includes 5550 villagers and local officials of Nahrmian Rural District in the Zalian District of Shazand County. By multi-stage random sampling with proportional assignment of 160 people as the sample size were examined. 23 experts and officials of Omid Entrepreneurship Fund Organization in the study area were selected by purposeful and available sampling method to assess the importance of each feature of the study strategy. The research tool was a questionnaire whose validity (face and content) was confirmed by Omid Organization experts, rural development experts and faculty members in the field of geography and rural planning Kharazmi University its reliability was based on Cronbach's alpha statistics. Findings were reviewed at two levels of villagers and experts.
Discussion and conclusion
According to the results, the successful implementation of the initial level of "One Village, One Product” community participation, creativity, competitiveness, poverty reduction, reducing the economic gap and selling goods are effective. According to the villagers, the components of creativity, competitiveness and reducing the economic gap are in a better situation. Furthermore, the existence of small industries and workshops with an average of 23%, the use of new methods in production with 22.95%, investment in agriculture and rural industries with 22%, variety of jobs In the village with 21.6% and individual and group business with 20.95% are among the drivers of strategy in the village. Also, the components of selling goods, reducing poverty and community participation are inadequate conditions and processing and packaging of products with an average of 13.53%, cooperation with the government with 14.33%, self-confidence with 15.47%, people's efforts to reduce poverty with 15.71%, product brand with 15.91 %, Integration of land and support funds with 16.14% and rural markets and bazaars with 16.96%, according to the villagers in the implementation of the strategy of a village, a product and economic development of the studied rural area has the lowest importance and priority. Also, using the Mann-Whitney U test and experts' opinion, the study village is only in terms of women's participation, use of new methods in product production, income status of villagers, support funds, government purchases, product sales to nearby markets. The existence of diverse occupations and reverse migration is a relatively favorable situation. According to experts and executive officials of the strategy in the study area, the components of product creativity, product impact in reducing economic gap and competitiveness of the product are more important. Moreover, small rural workshops with an average of 26.65%, creativity with 24%, product quality with 23.8% Income of 23.78%, self-confidence with 22.66%, individual and group business with 22%, small industries and workshops with 21.73% and collective participation of villagers with 21.09% are necessary and important factors to advance the strategy.
Therefore, along with research in the initial stage of the strategy, it is important to pay attention to nurturing people with a creativity. In terms of rural participation, there is a need for change in order to provide a basis for local participation, especially of educated, creative and entrepreneurial youth in order to implement "One Village, One Product”. It is the locals who decide what to choose as their specialty and enhance it with original ideas and creativity. In terms of competitiveness structure, according to quality indicators, investment in rural and agricultural industries, the competitive advantage of the desired product brand should be developed locally and globally. It is suggested that in the strategy of "One Village, One Product” along with the support of regional development and the establishment of local entrepreneurship need to pay attention to economic development and economic justification of the product combined with social participation and local risk-taking, responsibility and accountability of the local people. In this regard, noticing micro-credit funds to facilitate access to rural resources has an important role in empowering villagers.
By expanding markets and diversifying products from the desired local product, "One Village, One Product" strategy, taking advantage of the region's potential in the competitive market. Utilizing the "One Village, One Product" brand, as a global product, demonstrates pride in local culture as well as an effective economic strategy, which is intended for the development of rural areas. The present study aims to investigate the strategy of "One Village, One Product” in the development of local economy seeks to answer the question that what are the characteristics of the initial level of the strategy in Nahrmian Shazand village? What is the status of the factors affecting the strategy of"One Village, One Product” in the studied rural area?
Methodology
The statistical population of the study includes 5550 villagers and local officials of Nahrmian Rural District in the Zalian District of Shazand County. By multi-stage random sampling with proportional assignment of 160 people as the sample size were examined. 23 experts and officials of Omid Entrepreneurship Fund Organization in the study area were selected by purposeful and available sampling method to assess the importance of each feature of the study strategy. The research tool was a questionnaire whose validity (face and content) was confirmed by Omid Organization experts, rural development experts and faculty members in the field of geography and rural planning Kharazmi University its reliability was based on Cronbach's alpha statistics. Findings were reviewed at two levels of villagers and experts.
Discussion and conclusion
According to the results, the successful implementation of the initial level of "One Village, One Product” community participation, creativity, competitiveness, poverty reduction, reducing the economic gap and selling goods are effective. According to the villagers, the components of creativity, competitiveness and reducing the economic gap are in a better situation. Furthermore, the existence of small industries and workshops with an average of 23%, the use of new methods in production with 22.95%, investment in agriculture and rural industries with 22%, variety of jobs In the village with 21.6% and individual and group business with 20.95% are among the drivers of strategy in the village. Also, the components of selling goods, reducing poverty and community participation are inadequate conditions and processing and packaging of products with an average of 13.53%, cooperation with the government with 14.33%, self-confidence with 15.47%, people's efforts to reduce poverty with 15.71%, product brand with 15.91 %, Integration of land and support funds with 16.14% and rural markets and bazaars with 16.96%, according to the villagers in the implementation of the strategy of a village, a product and economic development of the studied rural area has the lowest importance and priority. Also, using the Mann-Whitney U test and experts' opinion, the study village is only in terms of women's participation, use of new methods in product production, income status of villagers, support funds, government purchases, product sales to nearby markets. The existence of diverse occupations and reverse migration is a relatively favorable situation. According to experts and executive officials of the strategy in the study area, the components of product creativity, product impact in reducing economic gap and competitiveness of the product are more important. Moreover, small rural workshops with an average of 26.65%, creativity with 24%, product quality with 23.8% Income of 23.78%, self-confidence with 22.66%, individual and group business with 22%, small industries and workshops with 21.73% and collective participation of villagers with 21.09% are necessary and important factors to advance the strategy.
Therefore, along with research in the initial stage of the strategy, it is important to pay attention to nurturing people with a creativity. In terms of rural participation, there is a need for change in order to provide a basis for local participation, especially of educated, creative and entrepreneurial youth in order to implement "One Village, One Product”. It is the locals who decide what to choose as their specialty and enhance it with original ideas and creativity. In terms of competitiveness structure, according to quality indicators, investment in rural and agricultural industries, the competitive advantage of the desired product brand should be developed locally and globally. It is suggested that in the strategy of "One Village, One Product” along with the support of regional development and the establishment of local entrepreneurship need to pay attention to economic development and economic justification of the product combined with social participation and local risk-taking, responsibility and accountability of the local people. In this regard, noticing micro-credit funds to facilitate access to rural resources has an important role in empowering villagers.
Ayatollah Karami, Neda Aliyari,
Volume 10, Issue 35 (4-2021)
Volume 10, Issue 35 (4-2021)
Abstract
Introduction
Nowadays, the unemployment crisis has had irreparable effects as a fundamental problem on all the economic, social and cultural aspects of the community. So that the stability and destruction of some governments depends on solving the unemployment crisis. The issue of economic development has always been one of the main concerns of countries. There are two factors that affect development, productivity and entrepreneurship. Today, many social science researchers consider entrepreneurship as an effective strategy to fight poverty and save wealth in low-income societies. Comprehensive development can never be achieved without rural development. Therefore, rural policymakers have focused on developing small businesses, local entrepreneurs and regional business associations. Rural entrepreneurship is one of the most important issues discussed in the field of entrepreneurship in recent years and the most effective solutions for unemployment reduction, poverty reduction, immigration prevention, income diversification, agricultural and non-agricultural production increment, livelihood risk reduction, sustainable food security increment and is the most important source of innovation and job creation. It is also one of the main pillars of growth and development in developing countries, which is as an engine for economic development. Recently, there has been a lot of interest in promoting entrepreneurship as a means of stimulating local economic growth and development y. It is essential to know what makes people successful in becoming entrepreneurs. Policies are also needed in order to increase the entrepreneurial capacity of a community which has the greatest effect on the level of entrepreneurial activity.
Methodology
The purpose of this study was to identification of factors affecting entrepreneurship in rural areas of Shiraz County. The present research is applied in terms of purpose and analytical descriptive in terms of data analysis conducted as a survey in this research. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire. The validity of the questionnaire was evaluated and confirmed through interviews with experts and its reliability through a pre-test (Cronbach's Alpha ranged from 0.688 to 0.959). Data were collected randomly from 177 rural households living in Dasht-e-Arjan District of Shiraz County. Collected data was analyzed by different statistical methods such as Factor Analysis, k-means cluster analysis, diagnostic analysis and stepwise regression analysis.
Discussion and conclusion
The results showed that based on the entrepreneurial situation, entrepreneurs could be divided into three clusters, called cluster 1 "non-entrepreneurs", cluster 2, "medium entrepreneurs" and cluster 3, "high level entrepreneurs". Also, the level of rural entrepreneurship in the study area is high (mean score= 3.42). According to the results, the determinants of the level of entrepreneurship in the study area includes: Responsive age, level of literacy, economic status, knowledge level, social status, environmental status, sense of place, innovation and pragmatism. Based on the results, the level of entrepreneurship in the studied region is high. This result shows the villagers' highly capability of entrepreneurship which itself confirms the need for research on its affecting factor. Therefore, according to the high level of rural entrepreneurship in the region, the need to create a suitable platform for entrepreneurial activities is tangible. Based on the results, the economic factor is the most important factor that determines the level of entrepreneurship in the studied region, which other researchers also emphasize on its importance. Entrepreneurs in the studied region, in particular, residents of the village of Chehel Cheshmeh, have provided their own funds with the use of their own capital and their relatives, as well as the accumulation of rural residents' micro capital and investors in creating employment, and are occupied to such jobs as, raising native chickens, beekeeping, fish breeding, cultivating medicinal plants, processing agricultural products and packaging. The importance of this factor confirms that by creating more favorable economic conditions, it is possible to provide a suitable platform for the development of entrepreneurship in the region. Therefore, it is suggested creating favorable conditions in this field by offering favorable banking facilities in the region, the provision of raw materials and equipment at reasonable prices, lowering input prices, using sufficient machinery and equipment, and choosing brand for the production unit or the product. Another important factor is the level of knowledge. Therefore, the level of knowledge plays an important role in transforming villagers into potential entrepreneurs. By improving knowledge in the region, the background to increase the villagers' level of entrepreneurship is provided and the status of entrepreneurship will be promoted to a higher level. Therefore, increasing the level of knowledge through the provision of information by media such as radio and television, training workshops in order to get familiar with absorbing customers, advertising and marketing techniques, get familiar with efficient banking networks and supportive plans, get familiar with tax laws, imports and exports, pricing and profitability, get familiar with the principles of innovation, technologies and new methods, and introduce the potential and actual opportunities of the environment are essential. Also, based on the results, variables including age and level of literacy have a negative effect on the level of entrepreneurship. In particular, in the village of Chehel Cheshmeh, this effect is obvious and all the inhabitants of the village except old people and educated people are employed and occupied with the entrepreneurial business using the potential of the village. Hence, it seems essential to create the appropriate conditions in order to attract and act of these people in the field of entrepreneurship. In this regard, it is recommended that the planners set applied content of the courses and academic activities, as well as in line with the development of entrepreneurship and acquisition of skills in this field.
Nowadays, the unemployment crisis has had irreparable effects as a fundamental problem on all the economic, social and cultural aspects of the community. So that the stability and destruction of some governments depends on solving the unemployment crisis. The issue of economic development has always been one of the main concerns of countries. There are two factors that affect development, productivity and entrepreneurship. Today, many social science researchers consider entrepreneurship as an effective strategy to fight poverty and save wealth in low-income societies. Comprehensive development can never be achieved without rural development. Therefore, rural policymakers have focused on developing small businesses, local entrepreneurs and regional business associations. Rural entrepreneurship is one of the most important issues discussed in the field of entrepreneurship in recent years and the most effective solutions for unemployment reduction, poverty reduction, immigration prevention, income diversification, agricultural and non-agricultural production increment, livelihood risk reduction, sustainable food security increment and is the most important source of innovation and job creation. It is also one of the main pillars of growth and development in developing countries, which is as an engine for economic development. Recently, there has been a lot of interest in promoting entrepreneurship as a means of stimulating local economic growth and development y. It is essential to know what makes people successful in becoming entrepreneurs. Policies are also needed in order to increase the entrepreneurial capacity of a community which has the greatest effect on the level of entrepreneurial activity.
Methodology
The purpose of this study was to identification of factors affecting entrepreneurship in rural areas of Shiraz County. The present research is applied in terms of purpose and analytical descriptive in terms of data analysis conducted as a survey in this research. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire. The validity of the questionnaire was evaluated and confirmed through interviews with experts and its reliability through a pre-test (Cronbach's Alpha ranged from 0.688 to 0.959). Data were collected randomly from 177 rural households living in Dasht-e-Arjan District of Shiraz County. Collected data was analyzed by different statistical methods such as Factor Analysis, k-means cluster analysis, diagnostic analysis and stepwise regression analysis.
Discussion and conclusion
The results showed that based on the entrepreneurial situation, entrepreneurs could be divided into three clusters, called cluster 1 "non-entrepreneurs", cluster 2, "medium entrepreneurs" and cluster 3, "high level entrepreneurs". Also, the level of rural entrepreneurship in the study area is high (mean score= 3.42). According to the results, the determinants of the level of entrepreneurship in the study area includes: Responsive age, level of literacy, economic status, knowledge level, social status, environmental status, sense of place, innovation and pragmatism. Based on the results, the level of entrepreneurship in the studied region is high. This result shows the villagers' highly capability of entrepreneurship which itself confirms the need for research on its affecting factor. Therefore, according to the high level of rural entrepreneurship in the region, the need to create a suitable platform for entrepreneurial activities is tangible. Based on the results, the economic factor is the most important factor that determines the level of entrepreneurship in the studied region, which other researchers also emphasize on its importance. Entrepreneurs in the studied region, in particular, residents of the village of Chehel Cheshmeh, have provided their own funds with the use of their own capital and their relatives, as well as the accumulation of rural residents' micro capital and investors in creating employment, and are occupied to such jobs as, raising native chickens, beekeeping, fish breeding, cultivating medicinal plants, processing agricultural products and packaging. The importance of this factor confirms that by creating more favorable economic conditions, it is possible to provide a suitable platform for the development of entrepreneurship in the region. Therefore, it is suggested creating favorable conditions in this field by offering favorable banking facilities in the region, the provision of raw materials and equipment at reasonable prices, lowering input prices, using sufficient machinery and equipment, and choosing brand for the production unit or the product. Another important factor is the level of knowledge. Therefore, the level of knowledge plays an important role in transforming villagers into potential entrepreneurs. By improving knowledge in the region, the background to increase the villagers' level of entrepreneurship is provided and the status of entrepreneurship will be promoted to a higher level. Therefore, increasing the level of knowledge through the provision of information by media such as radio and television, training workshops in order to get familiar with absorbing customers, advertising and marketing techniques, get familiar with efficient banking networks and supportive plans, get familiar with tax laws, imports and exports, pricing and profitability, get familiar with the principles of innovation, technologies and new methods, and introduce the potential and actual opportunities of the environment are essential. Also, based on the results, variables including age and level of literacy have a negative effect on the level of entrepreneurship. In particular, in the village of Chehel Cheshmeh, this effect is obvious and all the inhabitants of the village except old people and educated people are employed and occupied with the entrepreneurial business using the potential of the village. Hence, it seems essential to create the appropriate conditions in order to attract and act of these people in the field of entrepreneurship. In this regard, it is recommended that the planners set applied content of the courses and academic activities, as well as in line with the development of entrepreneurship and acquisition of skills in this field.
Zahra Sharifinia,
Volume 10, Issue 35 (4-2021)
Volume 10, Issue 35 (4-2021)
Abstract
Introduction
A review of studies in developing countries shows that economic programs in developing countries to achieve sustainable livelihoods and economic issues have failed to reduce poverty and a sustainable economy in rural areas. Therefore, today, one of the biggest challenges of planning rural communities and undermining the poverty in developing countries is providing livelihood. A approach that has emerged in the last decade is the sustainable livelihood approach, first proposed by Chambers in the 1980s; and recognized by the World Development and Environment Commission. Among development theories, thus, attention to sustainable livelihood approach, for empowerment and capacity building in rural areas in order to change the pattern of life has become a desirable method, and it is one of the important tools to achieve sustainable development. Therefore, this approach emphasizes comprehensive and integrated framework about poverty reduction and rural development. Therefore, the present study seeks to answer this fundamental question; What are the most important factors affecting the livelihood sustainability of villagers in the study area?
Methodology
This research is descriptive-analytical according to the purpose. In the descriptive part, to analyze the factors affecting the sustainability of villagers' livelihoods, documents and statistical methods have been used. The statistical population of the study is more than 20 household villages in the mentioned rural area of Sari County, which includes 30 villages. The sample size was calculated according to Cochran's formula about 377 and was randomly distributed among the villagers.
The validity of the questionnaire was obtained from face validity method (opinion of professors and experts after several stages of correction and revision). To determine the reliability of the questionnaire, a pre-test (with 30 questionnaires) was performed and Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.698, which indicates the validity of the questionnaire. To analyze the data, descriptive statistical methods such as central tendency indexes (frequency and percentage), and inferential (factor analytical) indicators have been used.
Discussion and conclusion
Poverty is one of the most important challenges for all society, especially rural communities. Thus, various approaches have been proposed to reduce and eradicate poverty. One of these popular ones is the sustainable livelihood approach, which was introduced in the 1980s. Since this is based on the theoretical approach of development and consists of various indicators, achieving sustainable livelihood is not possible without considering all the influential aspects of livelihood. Therefore, in order to recognize the effective indicators in sustainable rural livelihood, the process of policy-making, planning and rural management should consider all indicators holistically and interconnected. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the factors affecting the sustainable livelihoods of villagers in the mentioned rural area of Sari County. The attitudes of local people were surveyed in 30 villages of this district, and factor analysis was used to answer the questions raised in the research. Therefore, KMO value for factors affecting livelihood stability was 0.924 and Bartlett value was 9764.279, which was significant at 99% confidence level. Findings showed that 15 factors were identified and a total of 53.908% of the total variance explained the variables. So that the first factor, i.e. income and job creation with a specific amount (15.35), explained more than 15.50% of the total variance and the fifteenth factor i.e., cultural core with a specific amount of 1.384 and the amount of variance 53.908 is the last factor. In a general, it can be said that all the factors explain 53.908% of the total variance of the variables, and 47.002% of the remaining variance is related to other factors that have not been predicted.
The results of the analysis show that the impact of the index is different from the perspective of local people, which should be considered. The first factor, namely employment and income, which has an important and vital role in the sustainability of rural livelihood, is one of their basic needs, should be given special attention. It measures to optimize agriculture and activities related to local and regional capabilities. Therefore, initiatives can be proposed to strengthen sustainable rural livelihoods in the study area. First, according to the economic needs of people living and active in rural areas via diversification of activities and income generation means, and moreover through this approach create a variety of job opportunities and creating wealth and improving the living standards of the villagers, especially those whose predominant livelihood is agriculture. Second, paying attention to the indicators that were considered the first priority by the local people, as well as to prioritize other indicators used in the research, which were ranked first to fifteenth.
A review of studies in developing countries shows that economic programs in developing countries to achieve sustainable livelihoods and economic issues have failed to reduce poverty and a sustainable economy in rural areas. Therefore, today, one of the biggest challenges of planning rural communities and undermining the poverty in developing countries is providing livelihood. A approach that has emerged in the last decade is the sustainable livelihood approach, first proposed by Chambers in the 1980s; and recognized by the World Development and Environment Commission. Among development theories, thus, attention to sustainable livelihood approach, for empowerment and capacity building in rural areas in order to change the pattern of life has become a desirable method, and it is one of the important tools to achieve sustainable development. Therefore, this approach emphasizes comprehensive and integrated framework about poverty reduction and rural development. Therefore, the present study seeks to answer this fundamental question; What are the most important factors affecting the livelihood sustainability of villagers in the study area?
Methodology
This research is descriptive-analytical according to the purpose. In the descriptive part, to analyze the factors affecting the sustainability of villagers' livelihoods, documents and statistical methods have been used. The statistical population of the study is more than 20 household villages in the mentioned rural area of Sari County, which includes 30 villages. The sample size was calculated according to Cochran's formula about 377 and was randomly distributed among the villagers.
The validity of the questionnaire was obtained from face validity method (opinion of professors and experts after several stages of correction and revision). To determine the reliability of the questionnaire, a pre-test (with 30 questionnaires) was performed and Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.698, which indicates the validity of the questionnaire. To analyze the data, descriptive statistical methods such as central tendency indexes (frequency and percentage), and inferential (factor analytical) indicators have been used.
Discussion and conclusion
Poverty is one of the most important challenges for all society, especially rural communities. Thus, various approaches have been proposed to reduce and eradicate poverty. One of these popular ones is the sustainable livelihood approach, which was introduced in the 1980s. Since this is based on the theoretical approach of development and consists of various indicators, achieving sustainable livelihood is not possible without considering all the influential aspects of livelihood. Therefore, in order to recognize the effective indicators in sustainable rural livelihood, the process of policy-making, planning and rural management should consider all indicators holistically and interconnected. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the factors affecting the sustainable livelihoods of villagers in the mentioned rural area of Sari County. The attitudes of local people were surveyed in 30 villages of this district, and factor analysis was used to answer the questions raised in the research. Therefore, KMO value for factors affecting livelihood stability was 0.924 and Bartlett value was 9764.279, which was significant at 99% confidence level. Findings showed that 15 factors were identified and a total of 53.908% of the total variance explained the variables. So that the first factor, i.e. income and job creation with a specific amount (15.35), explained more than 15.50% of the total variance and the fifteenth factor i.e., cultural core with a specific amount of 1.384 and the amount of variance 53.908 is the last factor. In a general, it can be said that all the factors explain 53.908% of the total variance of the variables, and 47.002% of the remaining variance is related to other factors that have not been predicted.
The results of the analysis show that the impact of the index is different from the perspective of local people, which should be considered. The first factor, namely employment and income, which has an important and vital role in the sustainability of rural livelihood, is one of their basic needs, should be given special attention. It measures to optimize agriculture and activities related to local and regional capabilities. Therefore, initiatives can be proposed to strengthen sustainable rural livelihoods in the study area. First, according to the economic needs of people living and active in rural areas via diversification of activities and income generation means, and moreover through this approach create a variety of job opportunities and creating wealth and improving the living standards of the villagers, especially those whose predominant livelihood is agriculture. Second, paying attention to the indicators that were considered the first priority by the local people, as well as to prioritize other indicators used in the research, which were ranked first to fifteenth.
Mehdi Karami Dehkordi, Abdulmatin Miani,
Volume 10, Issue 35 (4-2021)
Volume 10, Issue 35 (4-2021)
Abstract
Introduction
The world’s population has been growing rapidly in recent decades, and statistics show that most of the added population belongs to development countries. The majority of this population live in rural areas which has an unfavorable standard of living and livelihood compared to international standard. The basis of human and economic development is based on livelihood; livelihoods include all the things that people do to make a living. In addition, livelihoods are sustainable when they can adapt to pressures and shocks, improve and strengthen or maintain capabilities and assets in the present and future, while not destroying natural resources. Sustainable livelihood is a way to think about rural development, which for rural people it leads to higher incomes, increased welfare, reduced vulnerability, improved food security and more sustainable use of basic natural resources. According to statistics, 71% of Afghanistan’s population lives in rural areas and the livelihood of rural households in this country depends on agriculture, livestock and handicrafts. A large part of the country’s economy depends on rural products, and the products of farmers and ranchers make up most of the country’s export. It is worth noting that in rural areas of Afghanistan, few studies have been conducted on sustainable rural livelihoods, and accordingly the present study is one of the most innovative and leading researchers for this area.
Research Methodology
This is a qualitative study of the grounded theory type with the approach of Strauss and Corbin. The grounded theory method is commonly used to achieve theory, but it also has the ability to use its techniques in the form of other qualitative methods. Methods used to collect data include observation, Interviews, field notes and written and audio recordings made during the interviews. Purposive and snowball sampling were used to collect data. The current research integrated purposive and snowball samplings were used to collect data. Purposive sampling (also known as judgment, selective or subjective sampling) is a sampling technique in which researchers rely on their own judgment when choosing members of population to participate in the study. Snowball sampling method, initial subjects with the desired characteristics are identified using purposeful sampling technique. In this study, data analysis was performed simultaneously with data collection and the researcher reached the theoretical saturation stage with 23 interviews.
Results and discussion
Based on the analysis, 220 codes were extracted from 23 interviews in three stages of open coding, axial coding and selective coding. Code analysis led to the identification of 27 subcategories. Finally, 19 main categories were extracted from their classification. Showed relationships between categories formed in the data that the pattern formed corresponds to the original shape of the paradigm pattern (Pattern or model) of Strauss and Corbin, that is the core category (access to sustainable livelihood) is affected by causal conditions and it influences the strategies themselves. Strategies in turn shape the consequences of the phenomenon under the influence of contextual and interventionist condition.
The causal categories of the paradigm are more dependent on agriculture, war and security challenges and the poor performance of the livestock and poultry sectors. According to the causal categories of the paradigm designed in the studied area, rural industries, rural services, livestock and poultry are very backward compared to the agriculture sector. This does not mean that the agriculture of the northern villages of Andar district is in a good condition. Rather, the monoculture of the rural economy (the majority of vineyards) with low productivity and efficiency in a traditional way has led the villages to an unfavorable living situation. In addition, due to various natural factors the risk of agricultural products is very high and has forced families to multiply their sources of incomes. But unfortunately, the increase in income depends on a particular sector (traditional agriculture). Therefore, in order to meet the economic needs of rural residents through the diversification of activities and income-generating methods, and to provide various job opportunities in this area, further encouragement should be provided.
The war and security challenges in Afghanistan have overshadowed every manufacturing and service sector and prevent any progress and it has caused the villagers to have no connection with the government and rural development department and to live in more deprivation. Rural areas have been severely damaged by war and security challenges, which have weakened the agricultural sector, demolished homes, disabled rural people and lacked investment. The population of the villages has multiplied compared to previous years, but no attention is paid to creating new job opportunities, which has led to rising unemployment, poverty and many livelihood challenges. One of the way to create new job opportunities in the studied villages is the multi-functional approach and abandoning single-function approach.
The world’s population has been growing rapidly in recent decades, and statistics show that most of the added population belongs to development countries. The majority of this population live in rural areas which has an unfavorable standard of living and livelihood compared to international standard. The basis of human and economic development is based on livelihood; livelihoods include all the things that people do to make a living. In addition, livelihoods are sustainable when they can adapt to pressures and shocks, improve and strengthen or maintain capabilities and assets in the present and future, while not destroying natural resources. Sustainable livelihood is a way to think about rural development, which for rural people it leads to higher incomes, increased welfare, reduced vulnerability, improved food security and more sustainable use of basic natural resources. According to statistics, 71% of Afghanistan’s population lives in rural areas and the livelihood of rural households in this country depends on agriculture, livestock and handicrafts. A large part of the country’s economy depends on rural products, and the products of farmers and ranchers make up most of the country’s export. It is worth noting that in rural areas of Afghanistan, few studies have been conducted on sustainable rural livelihoods, and accordingly the present study is one of the most innovative and leading researchers for this area.
Research Methodology
This is a qualitative study of the grounded theory type with the approach of Strauss and Corbin. The grounded theory method is commonly used to achieve theory, but it also has the ability to use its techniques in the form of other qualitative methods. Methods used to collect data include observation, Interviews, field notes and written and audio recordings made during the interviews. Purposive and snowball sampling were used to collect data. The current research integrated purposive and snowball samplings were used to collect data. Purposive sampling (also known as judgment, selective or subjective sampling) is a sampling technique in which researchers rely on their own judgment when choosing members of population to participate in the study. Snowball sampling method, initial subjects with the desired characteristics are identified using purposeful sampling technique. In this study, data analysis was performed simultaneously with data collection and the researcher reached the theoretical saturation stage with 23 interviews.
Results and discussion
Based on the analysis, 220 codes were extracted from 23 interviews in three stages of open coding, axial coding and selective coding. Code analysis led to the identification of 27 subcategories. Finally, 19 main categories were extracted from their classification. Showed relationships between categories formed in the data that the pattern formed corresponds to the original shape of the paradigm pattern (Pattern or model) of Strauss and Corbin, that is the core category (access to sustainable livelihood) is affected by causal conditions and it influences the strategies themselves. Strategies in turn shape the consequences of the phenomenon under the influence of contextual and interventionist condition.
The causal categories of the paradigm are more dependent on agriculture, war and security challenges and the poor performance of the livestock and poultry sectors. According to the causal categories of the paradigm designed in the studied area, rural industries, rural services, livestock and poultry are very backward compared to the agriculture sector. This does not mean that the agriculture of the northern villages of Andar district is in a good condition. Rather, the monoculture of the rural economy (the majority of vineyards) with low productivity and efficiency in a traditional way has led the villages to an unfavorable living situation. In addition, due to various natural factors the risk of agricultural products is very high and has forced families to multiply their sources of incomes. But unfortunately, the increase in income depends on a particular sector (traditional agriculture). Therefore, in order to meet the economic needs of rural residents through the diversification of activities and income-generating methods, and to provide various job opportunities in this area, further encouragement should be provided.
The war and security challenges in Afghanistan have overshadowed every manufacturing and service sector and prevent any progress and it has caused the villagers to have no connection with the government and rural development department and to live in more deprivation. Rural areas have been severely damaged by war and security challenges, which have weakened the agricultural sector, demolished homes, disabled rural people and lacked investment. The population of the villages has multiplied compared to previous years, but no attention is paid to creating new job opportunities, which has led to rising unemployment, poverty and many livelihood challenges. One of the way to create new job opportunities in the studied villages is the multi-functional approach and abandoning single-function approach.
Mohsen Aghayari Hir , Mohammad Zahheri, Hossein Karimzadeh, Ali Majnuni Tutakhaneh,
Volume 10, Issue 36 (8-2021)
Volume 10, Issue 36 (8-2021)
Abstract
Introduction
Due to its geographical location and climatic conditions, Iran is facing water shortages. A large part of the country is in arid and semi-arid climates. In addition to the dry weather of the country, mismanagement, short knowledge of farmers, outdated infrastructure, low level of technology have led to low water productivity in rural areas. The Qaleh chai watershed is one of the catchments located around Lake Urmia, which is facing water shortage due to drought conditions. This area with 36 villages is known as one of the hubs of agricultural and livestock production. According to the obtained data, the water efficiency level in the basin is less than 50%. Lack of water resources has led to the need to pay attention to ways to improve water efficiency. It seems that several factors play a role in the quantity and quality of water use, in other words, in the level of its productivity in The Qaleh Chai, and the most important ones include geographical conditions such as slope, location of villages, amount of products produced. Literacy level, number of rural households, water resources, amount of water available. By identifying and analyzing the factors affecting the promotion of water productivity in the basin, the amount of water productivity can be improved. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to investigate and find a scientific answer to the question of what is the spatial distribution of factors affecting water productivity in villages located in The Qale chai? And to what extent can the studied variables explain the changes related to water productivity?
Methodology
The research method is descriptive-analytical and inferential, which has based on documentary studies, libraries, and field studies. Local Moran correlation tests and geographic weight regression (GWR) tests were used to analyze the data. The variables used in this study included 19 environmental components affecting water productivity: Number and spatial distribution of springs, number and spatial distribution of wells, river water volume, water abstraction from wells, water abstraction from rivers, water abstraction from springs, length of concrete irrigation canals of all canals, the total volume of water in Consumption, number of households, unemployment rate, the employment rate in agriculture, literacy rate, rial value of tree products, rial value of rainfed products, rial value of summer crops, rial value of light livestock products, rial value of heavy livestock products, agricultural and medium irrigated land area Slope of villages to percent.
Water productivity has been used to calculate the rial value of livestock products, agricultural products, and human variables. The study area of this research is the Qaleh chai which has 36 villages located in it. The region of this basin is equal to 249.63 square kilometers, which has located in East Azerbaijan province and the southeast of Lake Urmia.
Discussion and conclusion
Research Findings show that the number of spring water resources is higher in mountainous villages and, the number of wells is higher in plain rural. The results of Moran showed that the variables of the Iranian Rial value of livestock production and the total amount of available water lack spatial autocorrelation. Also, the variable of the Iranian Rial value of all agricultural products has no spatial autocorrelation, but the total number of water resources has a spatial correlation. There is also an intense spatial correlation in the average slope of the villages, but the results of this test on the final water productivity lack spatial correlation. According to the results, the literacy variable of spatial autocorrelation is cluster type. The variables of household size and employment have no spatial correlation. Results The GWR regarding the causal role of the variable related to the final value of agricultural products and livestock products with water productivity showed that the last value of products with a correlation of R2 = 229 can explain water productivity. Based on the results of the geographical weight regression test, the value of R2 for social variables was equal to R2 = 0.129, which is lower than the final value variables of livestock and agricultural products.
Findings of this study show that factors such as the number of agricultural products produced, water resources, the volume of water available from water resources, land slope, number of water pumps and Iranian Rial value of livestock and agricultural products, literacy rate, employment rate, population have a significant relationship with water productivity. According to the research findings, it is clear that to achieve an efficient solution to improve water productivity in the villages located in the Qalah Chai watershed, it must have all the operative factors, including natural elements. Human factors, management factors, and physical characteristics are based on accurate, reliable data and planning occurrence.
Due to its geographical location and climatic conditions, Iran is facing water shortages. A large part of the country is in arid and semi-arid climates. In addition to the dry weather of the country, mismanagement, short knowledge of farmers, outdated infrastructure, low level of technology have led to low water productivity in rural areas. The Qaleh chai watershed is one of the catchments located around Lake Urmia, which is facing water shortage due to drought conditions. This area with 36 villages is known as one of the hubs of agricultural and livestock production. According to the obtained data, the water efficiency level in the basin is less than 50%. Lack of water resources has led to the need to pay attention to ways to improve water efficiency. It seems that several factors play a role in the quantity and quality of water use, in other words, in the level of its productivity in The Qaleh Chai, and the most important ones include geographical conditions such as slope, location of villages, amount of products produced. Literacy level, number of rural households, water resources, amount of water available. By identifying and analyzing the factors affecting the promotion of water productivity in the basin, the amount of water productivity can be improved. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to investigate and find a scientific answer to the question of what is the spatial distribution of factors affecting water productivity in villages located in The Qale chai? And to what extent can the studied variables explain the changes related to water productivity?
Methodology
The research method is descriptive-analytical and inferential, which has based on documentary studies, libraries, and field studies. Local Moran correlation tests and geographic weight regression (GWR) tests were used to analyze the data. The variables used in this study included 19 environmental components affecting water productivity: Number and spatial distribution of springs, number and spatial distribution of wells, river water volume, water abstraction from wells, water abstraction from rivers, water abstraction from springs, length of concrete irrigation canals of all canals, the total volume of water in Consumption, number of households, unemployment rate, the employment rate in agriculture, literacy rate, rial value of tree products, rial value of rainfed products, rial value of summer crops, rial value of light livestock products, rial value of heavy livestock products, agricultural and medium irrigated land area Slope of villages to percent.
Water productivity has been used to calculate the rial value of livestock products, agricultural products, and human variables. The study area of this research is the Qaleh chai which has 36 villages located in it. The region of this basin is equal to 249.63 square kilometers, which has located in East Azerbaijan province and the southeast of Lake Urmia.
Discussion and conclusion
Research Findings show that the number of spring water resources is higher in mountainous villages and, the number of wells is higher in plain rural. The results of Moran showed that the variables of the Iranian Rial value of livestock production and the total amount of available water lack spatial autocorrelation. Also, the variable of the Iranian Rial value of all agricultural products has no spatial autocorrelation, but the total number of water resources has a spatial correlation. There is also an intense spatial correlation in the average slope of the villages, but the results of this test on the final water productivity lack spatial correlation. According to the results, the literacy variable of spatial autocorrelation is cluster type. The variables of household size and employment have no spatial correlation. Results The GWR regarding the causal role of the variable related to the final value of agricultural products and livestock products with water productivity showed that the last value of products with a correlation of R2 = 229 can explain water productivity. Based on the results of the geographical weight regression test, the value of R2 for social variables was equal to R2 = 0.129, which is lower than the final value variables of livestock and agricultural products.
Findings of this study show that factors such as the number of agricultural products produced, water resources, the volume of water available from water resources, land slope, number of water pumps and Iranian Rial value of livestock and agricultural products, literacy rate, employment rate, population have a significant relationship with water productivity. According to the research findings, it is clear that to achieve an efficient solution to improve water productivity in the villages located in the Qalah Chai watershed, it must have all the operative factors, including natural elements. Human factors, management factors, and physical characteristics are based on accurate, reliable data and planning occurrence.
Abdul Majid Sepahian, Seyed Mehdi Hosseini, ,
Volume 10, Issue 36 (8-2021)
Volume 10, Issue 36 (8-2021)
Abstract
Introduction
Horticulture is one of the sub sectors of agriculture, which plays an important role in ensuring food security and livelihood of villagers. Horticultural products such as tropical fruits are produced to a significant extent in Iran, and some of these fruits in Iran are originated in Sistan and Baluchestan Province. Due to the climate condition, especially in the southern region, tropical fruits of this region still has the first rank in provision of these products. Mango and banana are the most important products, each of which has a crucial role in the household food basket due to its characteristics. In this study, considering the economic significance of tropical mango and banana products in the villages of Sistan and Baluchestan, the structure, behavior and market performance of these products are identified using the Structure-Conduct-Performance (SCP) model to exploit the maximum economic capacity. The SCP model considers structure, conduct and performance as the three elements of the market that indicates the overall market situation, and the interrelationships between the elements, and their analysis, which helps to improve the market situation. Indeed, appropriate policies and mechanisms both helps maximize the producers’ benefits and satisfy the consumer and other components of the market cycle. Accordingly, this study seeks to answer the question of what is the structure, conduct and performance of the tropical mango and banana fruit market in the villages of Sistan and Baluchestan?
Methodology
In order to reach the answer that the market structure of tropical mango and banana products in Iranian villages follows the SCP model or not, the relationship between the components of this model has been investigated. For this study, the cross-sectional data of the manufacturers of these two products are estimated using a system of simultaneous equations. According to the existing empirical studies on the relationship between market elements as well as the methods used by different researchers, three equations for the variables of structure, behavior and performance has been defined for the system of simultaneous equations. In these MS equations, it is related to market concentration variables such as Herfindahl–Hirschman Index and producer concentration ratio index. In this study, the concentration ratio index is used. R&D refers to behavioral variables such as research and development and advertising, and PF refers to the same performance variables as return on assets and equity. The three variables mentioned are endogenous or dependent variables model. And indicate the type of ownership and age. It refers to the inventory of assets and education, and performance (amount of production / area of cultivation) and income, which have been in the role of exogenous variables of the model and are analyzed by the three-stage least squares method in the system of simultaneous equations.
Discussion and conclusion
The results of model estimation showed that for two mango and banana crops in Sistan and Baluchestan villages, all three components of concentration, research and development and profitability are statistically significant. The results of SCP model coefficients for mango crop show that for concentration, research and development on mango, the number of users in this market increases and the market gets closer to competitive conditions and also profitability has a positive and significant effect on concentration. As the market gets closer to monopoly conditions, the profitability of mango producers increases and as a result the number of producers in the market decreases or the market share is more unfairly distributed among the exploiters. In the R&D equation, concentration has a negative and significant effect on R&D. As the concentration among mango producers increases and the market moves towards monopolies, the motivation of mango producers and villagers to conduct research decreases. However, profitability has a positive and significant effect on research and development activities. This result suggests that as profitability increases, there will be more incentive to spend on research and development. In the profitability case, concentration has a positive and significant effect on it. In other words, with increasing concentration, or moving to the monopoly market, the profitability of products among villagers will increase and research and development also has a positive and significant effect on profitability. As research and development increase, it is expected that the efficiency of mango production and profitability will increase.
The results of estimating SCP coefficients for banana confirm that in the equation of concentration, research and development has a negative and significant effect on concentration. The more research in the field of banana product, the more users in this product, or the market will be closer to competitive conditions. Profitability also has a significant negative effect on concentration, in other words, as the profitability increases, the concentration decreases. When the profitability increases, more producers are encouraged to work in this market among the villagers. As a result, the concentration in the banana market decreases. In the R&D equation, the concentration has a negative effect on R&D because with increasing market concentration, market has shifted to monopoly conditions. As a result, banana producers in rural areas are less motivated to conduct research activities. However, profitability has a positive and significant effect on research and development. The higher the profitability of the firm, the more the manufacturer prefers to increase R&D costs in order to increase income. Since producers and villagers know that with more research and development, they will increase their profitability. Furthermore, research and development has a positive and significant effect on profitability, conducting research activities, more opportunities will be provided to banana producers in rural areas. As a result, the profitability of farmers will be enhanced.
Horticulture is one of the sub sectors of agriculture, which plays an important role in ensuring food security and livelihood of villagers. Horticultural products such as tropical fruits are produced to a significant extent in Iran, and some of these fruits in Iran are originated in Sistan and Baluchestan Province. Due to the climate condition, especially in the southern region, tropical fruits of this region still has the first rank in provision of these products. Mango and banana are the most important products, each of which has a crucial role in the household food basket due to its characteristics. In this study, considering the economic significance of tropical mango and banana products in the villages of Sistan and Baluchestan, the structure, behavior and market performance of these products are identified using the Structure-Conduct-Performance (SCP) model to exploit the maximum economic capacity. The SCP model considers structure, conduct and performance as the three elements of the market that indicates the overall market situation, and the interrelationships between the elements, and their analysis, which helps to improve the market situation. Indeed, appropriate policies and mechanisms both helps maximize the producers’ benefits and satisfy the consumer and other components of the market cycle. Accordingly, this study seeks to answer the question of what is the structure, conduct and performance of the tropical mango and banana fruit market in the villages of Sistan and Baluchestan?
Methodology
In order to reach the answer that the market structure of tropical mango and banana products in Iranian villages follows the SCP model or not, the relationship between the components of this model has been investigated. For this study, the cross-sectional data of the manufacturers of these two products are estimated using a system of simultaneous equations. According to the existing empirical studies on the relationship between market elements as well as the methods used by different researchers, three equations for the variables of structure, behavior and performance has been defined for the system of simultaneous equations. In these MS equations, it is related to market concentration variables such as Herfindahl–Hirschman Index and producer concentration ratio index. In this study, the concentration ratio index is used. R&D refers to behavioral variables such as research and development and advertising, and PF refers to the same performance variables as return on assets and equity. The three variables mentioned are endogenous or dependent variables model. And indicate the type of ownership and age. It refers to the inventory of assets and education, and performance (amount of production / area of cultivation) and income, which have been in the role of exogenous variables of the model and are analyzed by the three-stage least squares method in the system of simultaneous equations.
Discussion and conclusion
The results of model estimation showed that for two mango and banana crops in Sistan and Baluchestan villages, all three components of concentration, research and development and profitability are statistically significant. The results of SCP model coefficients for mango crop show that for concentration, research and development on mango, the number of users in this market increases and the market gets closer to competitive conditions and also profitability has a positive and significant effect on concentration. As the market gets closer to monopoly conditions, the profitability of mango producers increases and as a result the number of producers in the market decreases or the market share is more unfairly distributed among the exploiters. In the R&D equation, concentration has a negative and significant effect on R&D. As the concentration among mango producers increases and the market moves towards monopolies, the motivation of mango producers and villagers to conduct research decreases. However, profitability has a positive and significant effect on research and development activities. This result suggests that as profitability increases, there will be more incentive to spend on research and development. In the profitability case, concentration has a positive and significant effect on it. In other words, with increasing concentration, or moving to the monopoly market, the profitability of products among villagers will increase and research and development also has a positive and significant effect on profitability. As research and development increase, it is expected that the efficiency of mango production and profitability will increase.
The results of estimating SCP coefficients for banana confirm that in the equation of concentration, research and development has a negative and significant effect on concentration. The more research in the field of banana product, the more users in this product, or the market will be closer to competitive conditions. Profitability also has a significant negative effect on concentration, in other words, as the profitability increases, the concentration decreases. When the profitability increases, more producers are encouraged to work in this market among the villagers. As a result, the concentration in the banana market decreases. In the R&D equation, the concentration has a negative effect on R&D because with increasing market concentration, market has shifted to monopoly conditions. As a result, banana producers in rural areas are less motivated to conduct research activities. However, profitability has a positive and significant effect on research and development. The higher the profitability of the firm, the more the manufacturer prefers to increase R&D costs in order to increase income. Since producers and villagers know that with more research and development, they will increase their profitability. Furthermore, research and development has a positive and significant effect on profitability, conducting research activities, more opportunities will be provided to banana producers in rural areas. As a result, the profitability of farmers will be enhanced.
Designing a model for sustainable entrepreneurship development for rural businesses Hamedan Province
Atieh Soleymani, , Saied Karimi,
Volume 10, Issue 36 (8-2021)
Volume 10, Issue 36 (8-2021)
Abstract
Introduction
In recent years, a group of researchers have believed that entrepreneurial activities lead to environmental degradation. However, some researchers have argued that despite the negative effects of some entrepreneurial activities on society and the environment, entrepreneurs still play an important role in guiding business activities towards sustainability, especially social and environmental sustainability. In particular, relying on the capacities and capabilities of rural communities, recognizing new opportunities and growth of innovations adapted to local community condition can reduce these negative effects and also create opportunities for sustainable employment, income generation and sustainable development in rural areas. Researchers refer to sustainable entrepreneurship as a catalyst and a major impetus for sustainable development. In recent decades, sustainable entrepreneurship has been a growing research stream and it is time to pay more attention to sustainable entrepreneurship in the literature. Among the areas that need more detailed and in-depth study in sustainable entrepreneurship is among the research fields that needs more rogue and in-depth investigations. This is about a set necessary factors in order to integrate sustainability in entrepreneurial businesses. Furthermore, it is relevantly more important in rural areas due to the direct relationship of most of rural businesses with natural resources. Accordingly, the present study discusses the requirements and conditions for sustainable development in entrepreneurial activities in rural areas and seeks to provide a suitable integrated model for entrepreneurship development in rural areas based on sustainable rural development and sustainable entrepreneurship.
Methodology
The present study aims to design a comprehensive model of sustainable entrepreneurship development in rural businesses and identify the strategies essential for achieving entrepreneurial sustainability using a qualitative research approach and grounded theory. The statistical population of this study consisted of outstanding entrepreneurs with characteristics such as knowledge and experience in the field, willingness and sufficient time to participate in the research and effective communication skills in Hamedan Province. In this study, 10 people were selected and in-depth interview was used as the main data collection technique. Data was analyzed in a sequence of open coding, axial coding and selective coding. In order to increase the validity of this research, we selected research participants from outstanding entrepreneurs who both work in the field of rural and agricultural businesses, and also have sufficient scientific knowledge on sustainable development issues and the process of entrepreneurship development and rural business creation. In-depth interviews were used to collect and record the required information. In order to verify and avoid research bias, the model and the result obtained by the research team were continuously compared with the aim and checked if there is any part in the report and model that indicates a potential bias by the researchers? Based on these checkups, some reflections were considered in the process.
Discussion and conclusion
According to the results of the present study, the model of sustainable entrepreneurship development in rural businesses in a narrative manner and based on a ground theory is as follows: Regarding to our understanding of sustainability and its aspects as well as the requirements for entrepreneurial businesses to adhere to responsible environmental, socio-cultural and ethical actions in order to achieve sustainability and fulfill their obligations to society and the environment. The findings show the development of rural business activities towards principles and values of sustainability requires strengthening individual factors of business owners and employees, organizational and environmental factors of enterprises. In other words, provided that such conditions and factors are given, the growth and development of behavioral patterns based on sustainability in various economic, social and environmental dimensions in rural businesses will be possible. Internalization of such behavioral patterns also requires appropriate measures and strategies implementation such as empowering relevant institutions, enhancing media performance, continuing policies to promote sustainable entrepreneurship, strengthening cultural contexts, applying supportive policies, facilitating the access to credit and capitals, and developing educational programs, and human resource management strategies to establish responsible values in the organizational culture. Institutionalizing sustainability patterns in rural entrepreneurial businesses will lead to more sustainable rural economic growth, job creation, environmental adaptation, ensuring future access to key natural resources, satisfying social groups, achieving competitive advantage, cost savings, and improving product quality.
In recent years, a group of researchers have believed that entrepreneurial activities lead to environmental degradation. However, some researchers have argued that despite the negative effects of some entrepreneurial activities on society and the environment, entrepreneurs still play an important role in guiding business activities towards sustainability, especially social and environmental sustainability. In particular, relying on the capacities and capabilities of rural communities, recognizing new opportunities and growth of innovations adapted to local community condition can reduce these negative effects and also create opportunities for sustainable employment, income generation and sustainable development in rural areas. Researchers refer to sustainable entrepreneurship as a catalyst and a major impetus for sustainable development. In recent decades, sustainable entrepreneurship has been a growing research stream and it is time to pay more attention to sustainable entrepreneurship in the literature. Among the areas that need more detailed and in-depth study in sustainable entrepreneurship is among the research fields that needs more rogue and in-depth investigations. This is about a set necessary factors in order to integrate sustainability in entrepreneurial businesses. Furthermore, it is relevantly more important in rural areas due to the direct relationship of most of rural businesses with natural resources. Accordingly, the present study discusses the requirements and conditions for sustainable development in entrepreneurial activities in rural areas and seeks to provide a suitable integrated model for entrepreneurship development in rural areas based on sustainable rural development and sustainable entrepreneurship.
Methodology
The present study aims to design a comprehensive model of sustainable entrepreneurship development in rural businesses and identify the strategies essential for achieving entrepreneurial sustainability using a qualitative research approach and grounded theory. The statistical population of this study consisted of outstanding entrepreneurs with characteristics such as knowledge and experience in the field, willingness and sufficient time to participate in the research and effective communication skills in Hamedan Province. In this study, 10 people were selected and in-depth interview was used as the main data collection technique. Data was analyzed in a sequence of open coding, axial coding and selective coding. In order to increase the validity of this research, we selected research participants from outstanding entrepreneurs who both work in the field of rural and agricultural businesses, and also have sufficient scientific knowledge on sustainable development issues and the process of entrepreneurship development and rural business creation. In-depth interviews were used to collect and record the required information. In order to verify and avoid research bias, the model and the result obtained by the research team were continuously compared with the aim and checked if there is any part in the report and model that indicates a potential bias by the researchers? Based on these checkups, some reflections were considered in the process.
Discussion and conclusion
According to the results of the present study, the model of sustainable entrepreneurship development in rural businesses in a narrative manner and based on a ground theory is as follows: Regarding to our understanding of sustainability and its aspects as well as the requirements for entrepreneurial businesses to adhere to responsible environmental, socio-cultural and ethical actions in order to achieve sustainability and fulfill their obligations to society and the environment. The findings show the development of rural business activities towards principles and values of sustainability requires strengthening individual factors of business owners and employees, organizational and environmental factors of enterprises. In other words, provided that such conditions and factors are given, the growth and development of behavioral patterns based on sustainability in various economic, social and environmental dimensions in rural businesses will be possible. Internalization of such behavioral patterns also requires appropriate measures and strategies implementation such as empowering relevant institutions, enhancing media performance, continuing policies to promote sustainable entrepreneurship, strengthening cultural contexts, applying supportive policies, facilitating the access to credit and capitals, and developing educational programs, and human resource management strategies to establish responsible values in the organizational culture. Institutionalizing sustainability patterns in rural entrepreneurial businesses will lead to more sustainable rural economic growth, job creation, environmental adaptation, ensuring future access to key natural resources, satisfying social groups, achieving competitive advantage, cost savings, and improving product quality.
Fatemeh Moein, Khalil Kalantari, Ali Asadi, Somayeh Kurd Alivand,
Volume 10, Issue 36 (8-2021)
Volume 10, Issue 36 (8-2021)
Abstract
Introduction
For decades, various programs have been designed and implemented to create food security, but the number of people suffering from food insecurity is increasing. This is the situation in rural areas of developing countries. In fact, ensuring the country's food security is one of the important pillars of the independence of developing countries. At present, agricultural products comprise an important part of the country's food need. Creating a security margin in meeting the country's food need through agricultural products requires attention to short-term demand in the current situation and long-term food demand in the coming years, and hence planning to meet the country's demand in both of the situation. Agriculture plays a key role in ensuring food security and plays a pivotal role in economic growth and rural development through the provision of demanded food and job opportunities. Wheat as one of the most important agricultural products has long been considered by humans. Among cereals used by humans, this product has a special place due to the wide adaptation of cultivation to different climatic conditions, ease of cultivation, capability of long time storage, cheapness, high nutritional value and usability in various forms. It has a long history of cultivation in different parts of the world in order to produce seeds for bread, animal feed and industrial purposes. Similarly, wheat accounts for more than 20 percent of the food expenditure of Iranian households, and wheat products provide about 40 percent of the calories and about 50 percent of the daily protein need of each person. According to the FAO, wheat accounts for about 30 percent of the world's grain production. In fact, the waste of valuable natural resources is one of the most important issues in today's society, which is mainly due to irrational consumption, irresponsibility, carelessness, disbelief and ignorance of actors involved in the processes of production, distribution and consumption of rare resources. For this reason, the issue of sustainability of the wheat production system to feed the current generation from existing sources, so that not jeopardizing the nutrition of future generations is one of the important issues of the present time. Furthermore, self-sufficiency in the production of agricultural products in the current world and food security in the country is essential. In this regard, especially the reduction of waste of strategic crops such as wheat is one of the important factors in increasing production and reducing imports. Now, according to the current demand and also with the trend of predicting population growth in the future and the importance of self-sufficiency of communities, the total production of crops, especially cereals should be increased with new methods, because the need for food grains to meet growing and unstable demand is a big challenge, especially in developing countries.
Research Methodology
In terms of purpose, the present study is applied and in terms of methodology is descriptive-analytical. A survey was utilized to collect the data in which the factors affecting wheat waste from the perspective of farmers have been identified. The research data collection tool is based on a researcher-made questionnaire that has been done after extracting research indicators and variables based on theoretical foundations and studies. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed based on the collective opinion of the professors of the Department of Agricultural Management and Development, University of Tehran and experts of the Ministry of Agriculture Jahad of Shush County. Cronbach's alpha test was used to measure the reliability, which was 0.85. This showed the reliability of the acceptable data for analysis. The statistical population consisted of 1230 farmers in Shush County. Sampling was done in a multi-stage manner so that one rural district was randomly selected from each part of the county and then 3 villages were selected from each of these rural districts. In the final stage, among the wheat farmers of the selected villages, the final samples were randomly selected based on the sample size estimated by Cochran's formula. In this study, in order to determine the sample size, first 20 questionnaires were distributed among the community members for pre-test and after a preliminary review and completion of the questionnaires, using Cochran's formula, the sample size was determined to be 214 people. 220 people were statistically analyzed to ensure the completion of the questionnaire and to prevent a decrease in the sample.
Discussion and conclusion
Exploratory factor analysis was used to identify ways to improve the reduction of producers' waste. Based on the results, it was found that the components affecting wheat waste in Shush County could be classified into six groups, respectively,1) The situation of cultivation and consumption of the inputs (amount of fertilizers used, field density, use of animal manures, type of previous cultivation, land area) 2) Lack of attention to education and extension (lack of promoters and technical staff in the region, low farmer experience, lack of participation in training-extension classes, the presence of weeds on the farm, lack of familiarity with the irrigation process, lack of farmer supervision) 3) Lack of technical examination and unsuitable land utilization (harvest time, grain moisture, timely harvest, type of land (in terms of flatness), unsuitable climatic conditions, germination before harvest) 4) Lack of attention to the development and organization of harvesting fleets and the motivation of combine harvester owners (lack of punctual access to combine harvester, worn combine harvester, low skill of combine harvester driver, lack of technical inspection of combine harvester, combine model) 5) Farmers' technical knowledge (delay in planting time, planting method, seed mixing) 6) Management weakness in planting and maintenance stages (type of wheat cultivar, presence of disease and pest on the field), In total, 62.26% of the variable changes express strategies to reduce wheat waste. If these six factors are considered in different planning, the level of waste will be significantly reduced.
For decades, various programs have been designed and implemented to create food security, but the number of people suffering from food insecurity is increasing. This is the situation in rural areas of developing countries. In fact, ensuring the country's food security is one of the important pillars of the independence of developing countries. At present, agricultural products comprise an important part of the country's food need. Creating a security margin in meeting the country's food need through agricultural products requires attention to short-term demand in the current situation and long-term food demand in the coming years, and hence planning to meet the country's demand in both of the situation. Agriculture plays a key role in ensuring food security and plays a pivotal role in economic growth and rural development through the provision of demanded food and job opportunities. Wheat as one of the most important agricultural products has long been considered by humans. Among cereals used by humans, this product has a special place due to the wide adaptation of cultivation to different climatic conditions, ease of cultivation, capability of long time storage, cheapness, high nutritional value and usability in various forms. It has a long history of cultivation in different parts of the world in order to produce seeds for bread, animal feed and industrial purposes. Similarly, wheat accounts for more than 20 percent of the food expenditure of Iranian households, and wheat products provide about 40 percent of the calories and about 50 percent of the daily protein need of each person. According to the FAO, wheat accounts for about 30 percent of the world's grain production. In fact, the waste of valuable natural resources is one of the most important issues in today's society, which is mainly due to irrational consumption, irresponsibility, carelessness, disbelief and ignorance of actors involved in the processes of production, distribution and consumption of rare resources. For this reason, the issue of sustainability of the wheat production system to feed the current generation from existing sources, so that not jeopardizing the nutrition of future generations is one of the important issues of the present time. Furthermore, self-sufficiency in the production of agricultural products in the current world and food security in the country is essential. In this regard, especially the reduction of waste of strategic crops such as wheat is one of the important factors in increasing production and reducing imports. Now, according to the current demand and also with the trend of predicting population growth in the future and the importance of self-sufficiency of communities, the total production of crops, especially cereals should be increased with new methods, because the need for food grains to meet growing and unstable demand is a big challenge, especially in developing countries.
Research Methodology
In terms of purpose, the present study is applied and in terms of methodology is descriptive-analytical. A survey was utilized to collect the data in which the factors affecting wheat waste from the perspective of farmers have been identified. The research data collection tool is based on a researcher-made questionnaire that has been done after extracting research indicators and variables based on theoretical foundations and studies. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed based on the collective opinion of the professors of the Department of Agricultural Management and Development, University of Tehran and experts of the Ministry of Agriculture Jahad of Shush County. Cronbach's alpha test was used to measure the reliability, which was 0.85. This showed the reliability of the acceptable data for analysis. The statistical population consisted of 1230 farmers in Shush County. Sampling was done in a multi-stage manner so that one rural district was randomly selected from each part of the county and then 3 villages were selected from each of these rural districts. In the final stage, among the wheat farmers of the selected villages, the final samples were randomly selected based on the sample size estimated by Cochran's formula. In this study, in order to determine the sample size, first 20 questionnaires were distributed among the community members for pre-test and after a preliminary review and completion of the questionnaires, using Cochran's formula, the sample size was determined to be 214 people. 220 people were statistically analyzed to ensure the completion of the questionnaire and to prevent a decrease in the sample.
Discussion and conclusion
Exploratory factor analysis was used to identify ways to improve the reduction of producers' waste. Based on the results, it was found that the components affecting wheat waste in Shush County could be classified into six groups, respectively,1) The situation of cultivation and consumption of the inputs (amount of fertilizers used, field density, use of animal manures, type of previous cultivation, land area) 2) Lack of attention to education and extension (lack of promoters and technical staff in the region, low farmer experience, lack of participation in training-extension classes, the presence of weeds on the farm, lack of familiarity with the irrigation process, lack of farmer supervision) 3) Lack of technical examination and unsuitable land utilization (harvest time, grain moisture, timely harvest, type of land (in terms of flatness), unsuitable climatic conditions, germination before harvest) 4) Lack of attention to the development and organization of harvesting fleets and the motivation of combine harvester owners (lack of punctual access to combine harvester, worn combine harvester, low skill of combine harvester driver, lack of technical inspection of combine harvester, combine model) 5) Farmers' technical knowledge (delay in planting time, planting method, seed mixing) 6) Management weakness in planting and maintenance stages (type of wheat cultivar, presence of disease and pest on the field), In total, 62.26% of the variable changes express strategies to reduce wheat waste. If these six factors are considered in different planning, the level of waste will be significantly reduced.
Ali Movahed , Moslem Ghasemi , Leila Oroji ,
Volume 10, Issue 36 (8-2021)
Volume 10, Issue 36 (8-2021)
Abstract
Introduction
Entrepreneurship is one of the development approaches of rural areas in various dimensions including economic, social and environmental. It also plays an important role as a leading strategy in the tourism sector. Entrepreneurial programs and activities can have important effects on the dimensions, indicators and different sectors of rural areas and rural tourism destinations resulting in important changes and developments in these destinations. Alamut district situated within Qazvin city, having its rural tourism resources and capabilities along with ecotourism and cultural tourism capacities, is one of the areas that has been associated with tourism growth and entrepreneurial activities in the past decade. The main purpose of this study is to assess the extent and scope of the effects and consequences of entrepreneurship programs on the changes and developments of rural tourism destinations within different dimensions.
Methodology
This research is of applied type and in terms of the nature of data, it is a quantitative-qualitative combined research. For this purpose, first through a series of library and field studies, the set of entrepreneurial activities carried out in the past decade was identified and then the dimensions and indicators of rural tourism destinations in four dimensions of economic, managerial-human, socio-cultural and physical-spatial were identified. The main statistical population of the study was the group of experts including village councils and rural tourism researchers and scholars familiar with the region and the tourism businesses owners. Local people were also examined as a complementary statistical population in terms of quality and theoretical saturation method to complete the information. Data analysis was performed using indicators and statistical analysis alongside with qualitative analysis.
Discussion and Conclusion
The results show limited effects of entrepreneurship on the economic indicators of villages. Entrepreneurship has not been able to have significant effects on any economic indicators and the main effects are moderate and sometimes upward. Also in the socio-cultural dimension, entrepreneurial activities have not been able to make significant changes in the villages of Alamut, and these changes, which have been mainly positive, are limited. Entrepreneurial activities have a relative and moderate impact on the growth of the number of creative people and indigenous or non-indigenous entrepreneurs in rural areas, and to some extent have provided the ground for officials to communicate with entrepreneurs. In the physical-spatial dimension, the effects of entrepreneurship have been positive and negative. The average effects of entrepreneurship on the physical-spatial dimension are at a moderate and relative level. Entrepreneurship has had very little impact only on the level of protection of natural resources, but has had relative effects on the development of rural infrastructure and the level of infrastructure. However, the type of effects in this section is positive and negative. In the study of villages from the perspective of variability of entrepreneurship, Gazerkhan village, Garmarud and Evan village are in the first priority of change. Evan village has faced relative economic and physical-spatial changes due to the existence of Lake Evan and constructions, services and recreational complexes, and the structure of the village as well as the culture of the people and their social relations have been accompanied by changes. In other villages, the effects of entrepreneurship are small and limited, and in fact, entrepreneurship has not been able to make significant changes in these villages.
In generally, the results show that the level of effects and consequences of entrepreneurship on destination changes is mainly at a moderate to high level while the degree of influence of destinations from entrepreneurship programs is relative. In general, the necessary planning should be done to manage the destination in order to prevent potential threats in order to reach the optimal level of development. Although entrepreneurship has caused relative and moderate changes in various dimensions in the tourist villages of Alamut, but these cases do not mean a great change in Alamut tourism and the changes have been very slow and gradual and it cannot be said that there is no particular change in rural tourism has been created. However, although the effects are limited and cannot be considered a change, but since the changes in destinations have been evident over the years, so it can be used as a strategy and program to change tourism in rural destinations in Alamut. Another noteworthy point is that the effects of entrepreneurship on all dimensions are the same and equal, which indicates that the level of entrepreneurial activities due to its limited scope, has not had much difference on different dimensions.
Entrepreneurship is one of the development approaches of rural areas in various dimensions including economic, social and environmental. It also plays an important role as a leading strategy in the tourism sector. Entrepreneurial programs and activities can have important effects on the dimensions, indicators and different sectors of rural areas and rural tourism destinations resulting in important changes and developments in these destinations. Alamut district situated within Qazvin city, having its rural tourism resources and capabilities along with ecotourism and cultural tourism capacities, is one of the areas that has been associated with tourism growth and entrepreneurial activities in the past decade. The main purpose of this study is to assess the extent and scope of the effects and consequences of entrepreneurship programs on the changes and developments of rural tourism destinations within different dimensions.
Methodology
This research is of applied type and in terms of the nature of data, it is a quantitative-qualitative combined research. For this purpose, first through a series of library and field studies, the set of entrepreneurial activities carried out in the past decade was identified and then the dimensions and indicators of rural tourism destinations in four dimensions of economic, managerial-human, socio-cultural and physical-spatial were identified. The main statistical population of the study was the group of experts including village councils and rural tourism researchers and scholars familiar with the region and the tourism businesses owners. Local people were also examined as a complementary statistical population in terms of quality and theoretical saturation method to complete the information. Data analysis was performed using indicators and statistical analysis alongside with qualitative analysis.
Discussion and Conclusion
The results show limited effects of entrepreneurship on the economic indicators of villages. Entrepreneurship has not been able to have significant effects on any economic indicators and the main effects are moderate and sometimes upward. Also in the socio-cultural dimension, entrepreneurial activities have not been able to make significant changes in the villages of Alamut, and these changes, which have been mainly positive, are limited. Entrepreneurial activities have a relative and moderate impact on the growth of the number of creative people and indigenous or non-indigenous entrepreneurs in rural areas, and to some extent have provided the ground for officials to communicate with entrepreneurs. In the physical-spatial dimension, the effects of entrepreneurship have been positive and negative. The average effects of entrepreneurship on the physical-spatial dimension are at a moderate and relative level. Entrepreneurship has had very little impact only on the level of protection of natural resources, but has had relative effects on the development of rural infrastructure and the level of infrastructure. However, the type of effects in this section is positive and negative. In the study of villages from the perspective of variability of entrepreneurship, Gazerkhan village, Garmarud and Evan village are in the first priority of change. Evan village has faced relative economic and physical-spatial changes due to the existence of Lake Evan and constructions, services and recreational complexes, and the structure of the village as well as the culture of the people and their social relations have been accompanied by changes. In other villages, the effects of entrepreneurship are small and limited, and in fact, entrepreneurship has not been able to make significant changes in these villages.
In generally, the results show that the level of effects and consequences of entrepreneurship on destination changes is mainly at a moderate to high level while the degree of influence of destinations from entrepreneurship programs is relative. In general, the necessary planning should be done to manage the destination in order to prevent potential threats in order to reach the optimal level of development. Although entrepreneurship has caused relative and moderate changes in various dimensions in the tourist villages of Alamut, but these cases do not mean a great change in Alamut tourism and the changes have been very slow and gradual and it cannot be said that there is no particular change in rural tourism has been created. However, although the effects are limited and cannot be considered a change, but since the changes in destinations have been evident over the years, so it can be used as a strategy and program to change tourism in rural destinations in Alamut. Another noteworthy point is that the effects of entrepreneurship on all dimensions are the same and equal, which indicates that the level of entrepreneurial activities due to its limited scope, has not had much difference on different dimensions.
Eqbal Vahdani, , Farideh Asadian,
Volume 10, Issue 36 (8-2021)
Volume 10, Issue 36 (8-2021)
Abstract
Introduction
Agriculture is central to the economy of Kurdistan Province and plays an essential role both in the economic and political dynamism of this province. Assessing the feasibility of lands to cultivate and promote new crops is a strategic priority which increases the welfare of rural residents and optimizes resource consumption. Therefore, appropriate and optimal land use for agricultural purposes require careful evaluation of these resources as well as a meticulous investigation of climatic agricultural zoning for these lands. Climatic agricultural zoning is a set of conditions that provides the economic possibility of cultivation of each plant according to the climatic conditions in that region. Some reasons such as villagers’ economic poverty and recent droughts, the need to promote crops with low water consumption, as well as the area similarities in climatic conditions with other saffron provider areas in the country justify the development and promotion of such crops in this region. It is expected that expansion of such crops will strength the economic and social foundations of the people in the future. Saffron as the most expensive agricultural and medicinal product in the world due to its drought resistance, low water consumption, high maintenance, and the effects of employment and high income generation can play a vital role in rural development of the province.
Methodology
This research is applied in terms of purpose and based on a descriptive-analytical research design. First, the layers were obtained from organizations and scientific centers in the region. Next, different weighting and analysis steps were performed for each of these layers. Climate, geomorphology and soil layers were used in this research. Each of these criteria is based on the necessary conditions for saffron cultivation as well as scientific sources and the opinion of experts. Statistics and information were obtained from the Meteorological Organization of Kurdistan Province in order to prepare the climate maps of the study. Also, UTM system was used as a basic coordinate system for the research to integrate the maps. After and before applying weights, the consistency of the comparisons should be ensured and the compatibility rate and rank should be calculated.
Maps with a pixel size of 50-50 meters are selected. The standard maps are classified according to AHP method and aim, in which the elements of each level are compared and weighed in pairs. In this study, a 9
9 matrix has been used to compare and weigh the elements. For the next stage, according to experts, 9 layers were used to weight. At the third stage, a 5 5 matrix was prepared which indicates the ability of saffron cultivation in the region. Paired comparisons are between rows and columns and a rating scale from 1 to 9 is a typical way for evaluation. Finally, the valuation and weighting matrices were determined according to the ten criteria of the study. The sum of relative weights for the criteria will be one in the last column. After that, the obtained weights were multiplied in the map layers in Arc GIS 9.3 software, and then by overlay operation the scores of all the map layers were added together. Ultimately, the final map of the total scores was prepared which shows the zoning areas feasible to cultivate saffron in Kurdistan Province. Five categories of this map are very good, good, average, weak and unsuitable.
Discussion and conclusion
The prosperity of the rural economy improves the living conditions of the villagers by preserving and promoting their human dignity. Recent droughts, Optimal use of natural resources, as well as the area similarities in climatic conditions with other saffron provider areas in the country justify this study, which is the feasibility of this crop in Kurdistan Province. Saffron as the most expensive agricultural product on the planet can be a good source of income for the poor rural population. Findings indicate that Kurdistan Province has the ability and potential of saffron cultivation. Therefore, the promotion of this cultivation is recommended for the economic development of rural areas in Kurdistan Province.
The final map, which shows the areas for saffron cultivation in the region, is obtained in five categories: very good, good, medium, poor and unsuitable. More than 4538.8 square kilometers, in other words about 16.21% of the area for saffron cultivation is in the class of very good or in fact very suitable and without any restrictions area. In terms of geographical location, the green color area is illustrated in the eastern, northeastern and southern parts of Kurdistan Province, or in the counties of Qorveh, Dehgolan, Bijar and Kamyaran and a few spots in Marivan, Baneh and Saqqez. This zone is suitable and in compliance for the south of Korani District, east of central part and north of Chang Almas District in Bijar County, for Serish Abad District in Qorveh County, for Central District in Dehgolan County, and for Central District in Kamyaran County. Good areas include 5404 square kilometers, in other words 19.30% of the province, which contains the most of the north of Sanandaj and north of Saqqez Counties. Also, the other three classes, medium, weak and unsuitable classes, cover 31.71, 19.36 and 13.42% of the area, respectively. This is more in line with the western, southwestern and northwestern regions of Kurdistan Province. The expansion and popularity of this product is recommended due to the climatic and natural conditions of Kurdistan Province.
Agriculture is central to the economy of Kurdistan Province and plays an essential role both in the economic and political dynamism of this province. Assessing the feasibility of lands to cultivate and promote new crops is a strategic priority which increases the welfare of rural residents and optimizes resource consumption. Therefore, appropriate and optimal land use for agricultural purposes require careful evaluation of these resources as well as a meticulous investigation of climatic agricultural zoning for these lands. Climatic agricultural zoning is a set of conditions that provides the economic possibility of cultivation of each plant according to the climatic conditions in that region. Some reasons such as villagers’ economic poverty and recent droughts, the need to promote crops with low water consumption, as well as the area similarities in climatic conditions with other saffron provider areas in the country justify the development and promotion of such crops in this region. It is expected that expansion of such crops will strength the economic and social foundations of the people in the future. Saffron as the most expensive agricultural and medicinal product in the world due to its drought resistance, low water consumption, high maintenance, and the effects of employment and high income generation can play a vital role in rural development of the province.
Methodology
This research is applied in terms of purpose and based on a descriptive-analytical research design. First, the layers were obtained from organizations and scientific centers in the region. Next, different weighting and analysis steps were performed for each of these layers. Climate, geomorphology and soil layers were used in this research. Each of these criteria is based on the necessary conditions for saffron cultivation as well as scientific sources and the opinion of experts. Statistics and information were obtained from the Meteorological Organization of Kurdistan Province in order to prepare the climate maps of the study. Also, UTM system was used as a basic coordinate system for the research to integrate the maps. After and before applying weights, the consistency of the comparisons should be ensured and the compatibility rate and rank should be calculated.
Maps with a pixel size of 50-50 meters are selected. The standard maps are classified according to AHP method and aim, in which the elements of each level are compared and weighed in pairs. In this study, a 9
9 matrix has been used to compare and weigh the elements. For the next stage, according to experts, 9 layers were used to weight. At the third stage, a 5 5 matrix was prepared which indicates the ability of saffron cultivation in the region. Paired comparisons are between rows and columns and a rating scale from 1 to 9 is a typical way for evaluation. Finally, the valuation and weighting matrices were determined according to the ten criteria of the study. The sum of relative weights for the criteria will be one in the last column. After that, the obtained weights were multiplied in the map layers in Arc GIS 9.3 software, and then by overlay operation the scores of all the map layers were added together. Ultimately, the final map of the total scores was prepared which shows the zoning areas feasible to cultivate saffron in Kurdistan Province. Five categories of this map are very good, good, average, weak and unsuitable. Discussion and conclusion
The prosperity of the rural economy improves the living conditions of the villagers by preserving and promoting their human dignity. Recent droughts, Optimal use of natural resources, as well as the area similarities in climatic conditions with other saffron provider areas in the country justify this study, which is the feasibility of this crop in Kurdistan Province. Saffron as the most expensive agricultural product on the planet can be a good source of income for the poor rural population. Findings indicate that Kurdistan Province has the ability and potential of saffron cultivation. Therefore, the promotion of this cultivation is recommended for the economic development of rural areas in Kurdistan Province.
The final map, which shows the areas for saffron cultivation in the region, is obtained in five categories: very good, good, medium, poor and unsuitable. More than 4538.8 square kilometers, in other words about 16.21% of the area for saffron cultivation is in the class of very good or in fact very suitable and without any restrictions area. In terms of geographical location, the green color area is illustrated in the eastern, northeastern and southern parts of Kurdistan Province, or in the counties of Qorveh, Dehgolan, Bijar and Kamyaran and a few spots in Marivan, Baneh and Saqqez. This zone is suitable and in compliance for the south of Korani District, east of central part and north of Chang Almas District in Bijar County, for Serish Abad District in Qorveh County, for Central District in Dehgolan County, and for Central District in Kamyaran County. Good areas include 5404 square kilometers, in other words 19.30% of the province, which contains the most of the north of Sanandaj and north of Saqqez Counties. Also, the other three classes, medium, weak and unsuitable classes, cover 31.71, 19.36 and 13.42% of the area, respectively. This is more in line with the western, southwestern and northwestern regions of Kurdistan Province. The expansion and popularity of this product is recommended due to the climatic and natural conditions of Kurdistan Province.
Ameneh Savari Mombeni, , Moslem Savari,
Volume 10, Issue 36 (8-2021)
Volume 10, Issue 36 (8-2021)
Abstract
Introduction
Climate change is one of the most important economic, social and environmental threats to human life and to sustainable development. Although climate change affects the living conditions of all people, the poor and marginalized groups, especially rural women, are at greater risk. There is undeniable evidence around the world that women are particularly vulnerable during and after sever weather events. Although women are more vulnerable to climate change, they are seen as active actors in mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change. Therefore, gender can be an important component for understanding the effects of climate change and responding to it, so there is a need to examine the perceived risks and adaptation to climate change from a gender perspective. This study examines perceptions and adaptation to climate change among male and female farmers through a qualitative approach. While protection motivation theory known as accepted framework for guiding campaigns on climate change, as well as an effective model for explaining and understanding the factors influencing climate change adaptation behavior. Therefore, in this study, the protection motivation theory applied as a framework for examining perceptions and adaptive responses. protection motivation theory involves two main evaluation processes. Threat assessment and response assessment. Threat assessment includes perceived vulnerability and perceived severity, and coping assessment consists of response effectiveness, self-efficacy, and perceived cost.
Methodology
This qualitative study (case study) was conducted to better and more deeply understand the perception and behavior of farmers through in-depth interviews with farmers (male and female). The study population in this study were farmers in the central part of Baghmalek county and the samples included 33 farmers including 18 male farmers and 15 female farmers. Sampling was purposeful. Therefore, informant farmers were purposefully selected and interviewed. This process continued until the data was saturated and no new data was available. Data were collected using semi-structured questions. People's conversations were recorded on an audio file and then transcribed on paper. Data analysis started from the time of the first interview and in parallel with the interviews (simultaneous analysis). In this study, in order to analyze farmers' perception on climate change and adaptation, all interviews were translated into text and after reviewing the interviews line by line, key concepts were extracted from it.
Discussion and Conclusion
The results showed that all farmers confirmed the occurrence of climate change in the region. Male and female farmers did not differ significantly in their knowledge and perception of climate change, but there was a gender difference in their acceptance of adaptation measures to climate change. The main measures for adaptation of farmers included changing the type of crop and cultivation and using green and animal fertilizers, which were done by both male and female farmers, but behaviors such as using modern irrigation were done only by male farmers. Therefore, male farmers are more likely to adopt new technologies to protect water and increase investment in agricultural infrastructure. They also had the opportunity to work on other owners' farms or have other nonfarm jobs when their land fell. The main challenges for women seem to be limited access to credit and lack of access to technical knowledge. Comparing the two groups, the results showed that women were subjected to high costs such as stress to themselves and their families, and men spent more material costs on adaptation activities. Women are often the ones who have the least investment in supporting agricultural products. As a result, they require more money, time and effort than men to recover from natural disaster losses. It is suggested that the necessary training be provided to increase knowledge and empower women to change their position in society as a key to reducing harm and vulnerability to climate change. To increase women's influence in climate change policy and gender awareness, gender-sensitive education on climate change and climate change policy at the local, regional and national levels is also recommended. The information obtained from this study can applied as an important step in developing policies and formulating appropriate interventions to adapt to climate change in the agricultural sector.
Climate change is one of the most important economic, social and environmental threats to human life and to sustainable development. Although climate change affects the living conditions of all people, the poor and marginalized groups, especially rural women, are at greater risk. There is undeniable evidence around the world that women are particularly vulnerable during and after sever weather events. Although women are more vulnerable to climate change, they are seen as active actors in mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change. Therefore, gender can be an important component for understanding the effects of climate change and responding to it, so there is a need to examine the perceived risks and adaptation to climate change from a gender perspective. This study examines perceptions and adaptation to climate change among male and female farmers through a qualitative approach. While protection motivation theory known as accepted framework for guiding campaigns on climate change, as well as an effective model for explaining and understanding the factors influencing climate change adaptation behavior. Therefore, in this study, the protection motivation theory applied as a framework for examining perceptions and adaptive responses. protection motivation theory involves two main evaluation processes. Threat assessment and response assessment. Threat assessment includes perceived vulnerability and perceived severity, and coping assessment consists of response effectiveness, self-efficacy, and perceived cost.
Methodology
This qualitative study (case study) was conducted to better and more deeply understand the perception and behavior of farmers through in-depth interviews with farmers (male and female). The study population in this study were farmers in the central part of Baghmalek county and the samples included 33 farmers including 18 male farmers and 15 female farmers. Sampling was purposeful. Therefore, informant farmers were purposefully selected and interviewed. This process continued until the data was saturated and no new data was available. Data were collected using semi-structured questions. People's conversations were recorded on an audio file and then transcribed on paper. Data analysis started from the time of the first interview and in parallel with the interviews (simultaneous analysis). In this study, in order to analyze farmers' perception on climate change and adaptation, all interviews were translated into text and after reviewing the interviews line by line, key concepts were extracted from it.
Discussion and Conclusion
The results showed that all farmers confirmed the occurrence of climate change in the region. Male and female farmers did not differ significantly in their knowledge and perception of climate change, but there was a gender difference in their acceptance of adaptation measures to climate change. The main measures for adaptation of farmers included changing the type of crop and cultivation and using green and animal fertilizers, which were done by both male and female farmers, but behaviors such as using modern irrigation were done only by male farmers. Therefore, male farmers are more likely to adopt new technologies to protect water and increase investment in agricultural infrastructure. They also had the opportunity to work on other owners' farms or have other nonfarm jobs when their land fell. The main challenges for women seem to be limited access to credit and lack of access to technical knowledge. Comparing the two groups, the results showed that women were subjected to high costs such as stress to themselves and their families, and men spent more material costs on adaptation activities. Women are often the ones who have the least investment in supporting agricultural products. As a result, they require more money, time and effort than men to recover from natural disaster losses. It is suggested that the necessary training be provided to increase knowledge and empower women to change their position in society as a key to reducing harm and vulnerability to climate change. To increase women's influence in climate change policy and gender awareness, gender-sensitive education on climate change and climate change policy at the local, regional and national levels is also recommended. The information obtained from this study can applied as an important step in developing policies and formulating appropriate interventions to adapt to climate change in the agricultural sector.
Leila Ghobadi, Mehdi Moameri, ,
Volume 10, Issue 36 (8-2021)
Volume 10, Issue 36 (8-2021)
Abstract
Introduction
Rangelands are lands covered mostly with indigenous vegetation such as grasses, grass-like plants, forbs, or shrubs, which are managed as a natural ecosystem. They are one of the most fundamental natural ecosystems in the world, and they play an important role in protein production and the ecosystem balance. Rangelands are largely used as a feed source for livestock. However, they provide other secondary resources such as firewood, wild edibles, medicinal plants, and water.
Today, one of the most serious and recent difficulties facing development initiatives is the degradation of natural resources (rangeland ecosystems are included) and their excessive use. Reduced forage production, less plant cover, soil degradation and erosion, water loss and increased rate of runoff and flood, loss of biodiversity, decreasing small ruminant productivity, increased invasive plants, and reduction of ecotourism areas are all consequences of quantitative and qualitative rangeland degradation. In recent decades, confronting the causes of forest and rangeland degradation and attempting to restore these resources has become a fundamental and necessary step toward sustainable development. Given that the vast area of forests and rangelands, and the high labor requirement for conserving and restoring these resources, it appears that stakeholder participation is the most effective strategy to develop these resources. Namin county in Ardabil Province contains a large area of rangeland, which is the most important source of income for rural communities in the region. In other words, livestock husbandry in rangelands is one of the main activities of the local people, who rely on rangeland for forage. However, in recent years, the region's rangelands have been damaged for various reasons resulting in a reduction rangelands area. As a result, it appears that the reasons of rangeland ecosystems degradation should be identified in order to support rangeland ecosystems and reduce their degradation. So, the main purpose of this research is to investigate the economic and social factors affecting the rangelands degradation in Namin County's rural areas.
Methodology
The research was conducted in Namin County's rural areas (including - Saqsloo, Aghzamankandi and Tifiyeh). The county of Namin is located in mountainous areas with an average elevation of 1700 meters above sea-level.
The research method is descriptive using survey and analysis. In the three villages of Saqsloo, Aghzamankandi, and Tifiyeh, the statistical community for this study was 1279 individuals, with 326 beneficiaries. A questionnaire was used as the research tool in this study, and 21 beneficiaries (households) were interviewed using stratified random sampling. The validity of the questionnaire was assessed based on expert opinions, and its reliability was determined using Cronbach's alpha coefficient test.
A questionnaire was created based on three indicators: social factors affecting rangeland degradation with 13 questions (S1, S2, S3, … S13), economic factors with 10 questions (E1, E2, E3, … E10) and other effective factors with 10 questions (O1, O2, O3, … O10). Furthermore, each question was graded on a five-point Likert- scale. Based on accessibility, cost and the researchers’ capacity, the total number of the questionnaire in each village was selected according to about 5 to10 percent of the total number of the households (preferably heads of households). In the target villages, questionnaires were filled out through face-to-face visits, observation, and interviews.
The sample size for each village was then determined based on the number of households. As a result, in the village of Saqsloo, Aghzamankandi, and Tifiyeh 11, 4 and 6 questionnaires were completed, respectively. Data were analyzed using SPSS software Ver.22.
Discussion and Conclusion
The results revealed that economic factors such as insufficient annual income and social factors such as a lack of essential training and extension courses, limited participation of beneficiaries in rangeland project implementation, and a lack of proper management and sense of responsibility are the most effective factors in rangeland degradation. Rangeland degradation was primarily influenced by the quantity of beneficiaries and the technique of exploitation. In addition, the number of livestock and living expenses, as well as the economic position of rangeland beneficiaries in the community are important determinants. According to the results, the level of knowledge and awareness, improving the situation, income and livelihood, the effectiveness of training courses, and the participation of stakeholders and local organizations all had an impact on rangeland degradation. Therefore, because the villagers are in need of rangelands to supply fodder for their livestock, it is possible to reduce rangeland degradation by assigning rangeland management plans and projects of improving rangelands to stakeholders by following the laws and implementing planned management. In general, Department of Natural Resources and Watershed Management of Ardabil Province can act to reduce rangeland degradation of Namin County's rural areas by devolution of the implementation of rangeland management, improvement, and development projects to beneficiaries, involving beneficiaries in planning and implementation of projects, providing loan facilities to them, holding training and promotion courses by experienced natural resources experts to increase ranchers’ knowledge.
Rangelands are lands covered mostly with indigenous vegetation such as grasses, grass-like plants, forbs, or shrubs, which are managed as a natural ecosystem. They are one of the most fundamental natural ecosystems in the world, and they play an important role in protein production and the ecosystem balance. Rangelands are largely used as a feed source for livestock. However, they provide other secondary resources such as firewood, wild edibles, medicinal plants, and water.
Today, one of the most serious and recent difficulties facing development initiatives is the degradation of natural resources (rangeland ecosystems are included) and their excessive use. Reduced forage production, less plant cover, soil degradation and erosion, water loss and increased rate of runoff and flood, loss of biodiversity, decreasing small ruminant productivity, increased invasive plants, and reduction of ecotourism areas are all consequences of quantitative and qualitative rangeland degradation. In recent decades, confronting the causes of forest and rangeland degradation and attempting to restore these resources has become a fundamental and necessary step toward sustainable development. Given that the vast area of forests and rangelands, and the high labor requirement for conserving and restoring these resources, it appears that stakeholder participation is the most effective strategy to develop these resources. Namin county in Ardabil Province contains a large area of rangeland, which is the most important source of income for rural communities in the region. In other words, livestock husbandry in rangelands is one of the main activities of the local people, who rely on rangeland for forage. However, in recent years, the region's rangelands have been damaged for various reasons resulting in a reduction rangelands area. As a result, it appears that the reasons of rangeland ecosystems degradation should be identified in order to support rangeland ecosystems and reduce their degradation. So, the main purpose of this research is to investigate the economic and social factors affecting the rangelands degradation in Namin County's rural areas.
Methodology
The research was conducted in Namin County's rural areas (including - Saqsloo, Aghzamankandi and Tifiyeh). The county of Namin is located in mountainous areas with an average elevation of 1700 meters above sea-level.
The research method is descriptive using survey and analysis. In the three villages of Saqsloo, Aghzamankandi, and Tifiyeh, the statistical community for this study was 1279 individuals, with 326 beneficiaries. A questionnaire was used as the research tool in this study, and 21 beneficiaries (households) were interviewed using stratified random sampling. The validity of the questionnaire was assessed based on expert opinions, and its reliability was determined using Cronbach's alpha coefficient test.
A questionnaire was created based on three indicators: social factors affecting rangeland degradation with 13 questions (S1, S2, S3, … S13), economic factors with 10 questions (E1, E2, E3, … E10) and other effective factors with 10 questions (O1, O2, O3, … O10). Furthermore, each question was graded on a five-point Likert- scale. Based on accessibility, cost and the researchers’ capacity, the total number of the questionnaire in each village was selected according to about 5 to10 percent of the total number of the households (preferably heads of households). In the target villages, questionnaires were filled out through face-to-face visits, observation, and interviews.
The sample size for each village was then determined based on the number of households. As a result, in the village of Saqsloo, Aghzamankandi, and Tifiyeh 11, 4 and 6 questionnaires were completed, respectively. Data were analyzed using SPSS software Ver.22.
Discussion and Conclusion
The results revealed that economic factors such as insufficient annual income and social factors such as a lack of essential training and extension courses, limited participation of beneficiaries in rangeland project implementation, and a lack of proper management and sense of responsibility are the most effective factors in rangeland degradation. Rangeland degradation was primarily influenced by the quantity of beneficiaries and the technique of exploitation. In addition, the number of livestock and living expenses, as well as the economic position of rangeland beneficiaries in the community are important determinants. According to the results, the level of knowledge and awareness, improving the situation, income and livelihood, the effectiveness of training courses, and the participation of stakeholders and local organizations all had an impact on rangeland degradation. Therefore, because the villagers are in need of rangelands to supply fodder for their livestock, it is possible to reduce rangeland degradation by assigning rangeland management plans and projects of improving rangelands to stakeholders by following the laws and implementing planned management. In general, Department of Natural Resources and Watershed Management of Ardabil Province can act to reduce rangeland degradation of Namin County's rural areas by devolution of the implementation of rangeland management, improvement, and development projects to beneficiaries, involving beneficiaries in planning and implementation of projects, providing loan facilities to them, holding training and promotion courses by experienced natural resources experts to increase ranchers’ knowledge.
Arash Enteghami, Alireza Estalaji, Ali Tavakolan,
Volume 10, Issue 36 (8-2021)
Volume 10, Issue 36 (8-2021)
Abstract
Introduction
Nanotechnology is one of the new scientific topics that has led to economic growth in the world. We need a well-designed plan to apply this technology in rural areas and agricultural products, and creating the right policies for the growth and development of villages. According to the 1404 horizon planning document on the development of nanotechnology, this technology is intended to generate wealth and improve the quality of life of people because it is one of the most important technological developments that can change the structure of production and economic processes in society, especially rural areas. This science is the most important key to economic potential in the 21st century. Therefore, this study aims to identify planning indicators and categorize them based on content analysis while evaluating the advantages and limitations of developing nanotechnology products based on the appropriate strategy model in the development of rural communities.
Methodology
This research is applied and and in terms of method is a quantitative, descriptive and explanatory type. Data was collected using library and field methods. In the field study, a questionnaire with Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.77 was used to interview the experts of the Nanotechnology headquarters, the Organization of Rural and Urban Municipalities, and the professors in the department of geography and rural planning, as well as the agricultural extension and education in Islamic Azad University Science and Research Branch, which are considered as the statistical population. Since the responsibility of recognizing the strategy is considered to be on senior managers and experts, and they must have a systemic view about the objectives and missions of the organization, 122 individuals as a sample size using a snowball sampling method was considered for this study. The applied research model is SWOT strategic analysis and the quantitative strategic planning model is QSPM. Consequently, implementing the QSPM quantitative model matrix, social, economic, infrastructural and political-managerial factors was prioritized.
Discussion and conclusion
Matrix scoring of external factors shows that the total final score in this matrix is 2.28, which is less than 2.5, so the development of nano-products in rural communities is in threat in terms of external factors. It will also be ahead of its opportunities. In addition, the result of scoring the matrix of internal factors shows the sum of the total final score is 1.68, which is less than 2.5, so the development of nano-products is weak in terms of internal factors. This issue confirms the weakness of the development of nano-products over their strength. Therefore, it seems that there are noticeable number of weaknesses for the development of nano-products in rural development, and by examining and targeting them can increase the development of these products in rural communities. According to the loading of social, economic, infrastructure and political-managerial indicators in the SWOT planning quality matrix and specifically evaluation scores of 2.28 for external factors and 1.16 for internal factors, a defensive strategy for the development of nanotechnology products in rural communities is determined, which ultimately develops four defensive strategies to achieve long-term goals. Including: (WT1): implementing knowledge workers in the field of nano to evaluate and assess the need to reduce the errors of economic development planning of rural communities. (WT2): determining the monitoring mechanisms in order to measure the risks of implementing the policy program related to the Nanotechnology development program on 1404 horizon. (WT3): establishment of a risk assessment office regarding the use of nano-products in the Ministry of Agriculture Jahad and the country's rural development organization. (WT4): establishment of incubator in cooperation with rural ICT offices to raise the knowledge about use of nano-products in rural industries. In the Ministry of Agriculture Jahad and the rural municipality organization over the country. The fourth priority with a score of 4.09 shows the use of specialized labor in the field of nanotechnology to assess the need to reduce errors in the economic development planning of rural communities. Since relatively few chance will be available to address the weaknesses, according to the defensive strategy, we must adopt strategies for risk assessment, awareness and the use of specialized labor while being cautious and conservative. This requires inspecting the predictors for the future in plans and policies to maximize opportunities.
Nanotechnology is one of the new scientific topics that has led to economic growth in the world. We need a well-designed plan to apply this technology in rural areas and agricultural products, and creating the right policies for the growth and development of villages. According to the 1404 horizon planning document on the development of nanotechnology, this technology is intended to generate wealth and improve the quality of life of people because it is one of the most important technological developments that can change the structure of production and economic processes in society, especially rural areas. This science is the most important key to economic potential in the 21st century. Therefore, this study aims to identify planning indicators and categorize them based on content analysis while evaluating the advantages and limitations of developing nanotechnology products based on the appropriate strategy model in the development of rural communities.
Methodology
This research is applied and and in terms of method is a quantitative, descriptive and explanatory type. Data was collected using library and field methods. In the field study, a questionnaire with Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.77 was used to interview the experts of the Nanotechnology headquarters, the Organization of Rural and Urban Municipalities, and the professors in the department of geography and rural planning, as well as the agricultural extension and education in Islamic Azad University Science and Research Branch, which are considered as the statistical population. Since the responsibility of recognizing the strategy is considered to be on senior managers and experts, and they must have a systemic view about the objectives and missions of the organization, 122 individuals as a sample size using a snowball sampling method was considered for this study. The applied research model is SWOT strategic analysis and the quantitative strategic planning model is QSPM. Consequently, implementing the QSPM quantitative model matrix, social, economic, infrastructural and political-managerial factors was prioritized.
Discussion and conclusion
Matrix scoring of external factors shows that the total final score in this matrix is 2.28, which is less than 2.5, so the development of nano-products in rural communities is in threat in terms of external factors. It will also be ahead of its opportunities. In addition, the result of scoring the matrix of internal factors shows the sum of the total final score is 1.68, which is less than 2.5, so the development of nano-products is weak in terms of internal factors. This issue confirms the weakness of the development of nano-products over their strength. Therefore, it seems that there are noticeable number of weaknesses for the development of nano-products in rural development, and by examining and targeting them can increase the development of these products in rural communities. According to the loading of social, economic, infrastructure and political-managerial indicators in the SWOT planning quality matrix and specifically evaluation scores of 2.28 for external factors and 1.16 for internal factors, a defensive strategy for the development of nanotechnology products in rural communities is determined, which ultimately develops four defensive strategies to achieve long-term goals. Including: (WT1): implementing knowledge workers in the field of nano to evaluate and assess the need to reduce the errors of economic development planning of rural communities. (WT2): determining the monitoring mechanisms in order to measure the risks of implementing the policy program related to the Nanotechnology development program on 1404 horizon. (WT3): establishment of a risk assessment office regarding the use of nano-products in the Ministry of Agriculture Jahad and the country's rural development organization. (WT4): establishment of incubator in cooperation with rural ICT offices to raise the knowledge about use of nano-products in rural industries. In the Ministry of Agriculture Jahad and the rural municipality organization over the country. The fourth priority with a score of 4.09 shows the use of specialized labor in the field of nanotechnology to assess the need to reduce errors in the economic development planning of rural communities. Since relatively few chance will be available to address the weaknesses, according to the defensive strategy, we must adopt strategies for risk assessment, awareness and the use of specialized labor while being cautious and conservative. This requires inspecting the predictors for the future in plans and policies to maximize opportunities.
Mohammad Alizadeh Tooli, Bijan Rahmani, Rahmatullah Monshizadeh, Pegah Moridsadat, Mohammad Taghi Razavian,
Volume 10, Issue 36 (8-2021)
Volume 10, Issue 36 (8-2021)
Abstract
Introduction
Rural areas in the country, today, suffer from myriad challenges such as poverty, latent unemployment, environmental degradation, inequality in the distribution of opportunities and resources between urban and rural areas, which indicates the failure of former rural development strategies to provide successful solutions to address them. Therefore, sustainable entrepreneurship development targeting sustainable rural development tend to be an appropriate strategy. Sustainable entrepreneurship in a specific geographical area, such as the coastal villages of Qeshm Island resonates many rural areas of the country. Despite the numerous natural and economic potentials, they face with many challenges. Due to lack of comprehensive planning and lack of systemic vision, the coastal villages of Qeshm Island are like other rural areas of the country are currently in a poor situation and faces many problems such as poverty, widespread youth unemployment, water shortages, migration, inadequate infrastructure, etc. Nonetheless, the formation of cooperatives (production, distribution and sale) facilitate rural economic activities. Local organizations, on the other hand, are possible through the formation of competitive and endogenous small and medium-sized enterprises, especially in the industrial and service sectors. This can be an appropriate and logical answer to the issues which is along with the development of the agricultural sector.
In these companies, villagers are central to the decisions. The existence of cooperatives, especially actors in this field, as well as obtaining their opinions on sustainable entrepreneurship in coastal villages can be helpful. This study explores the requirements for sustainable entrepreneurship from practitioners’ point of view.
Methodology
The present study was conducted in order to meet the requirements for sustainable entrepreneurship, which is one of the main concerns. Not only will this improve the level of development of rural communities, but also it helps exploit agricultural lands as one of the most important assets of villagers and national capital in the best way. The analysis of the questionnaire data was done using two software Spss20 and Amos. First, ANOVA, t-test for independent groups, Pearson correlation, and regression were conducted using Spss20 software. Then, goodness of fit test for measuring latent variables of the research, confirmatory factor analysis was used. In addition, in order to test the relationships between latent variables in the conceptual model of the research, structural model analysis was used for path analysis using Amos software. Structural equation modeling is an approach that includes two stages, namely the measurement model and the structural model. The first stage, the measurement model, examines the validity, reliability and relevance of the latent variables of the research using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). In the second stage, the structural model evaluates the hypotheses about the relationship between the latent variables (structures) of the research.
Discussion and conclusion
Sustainable entrepreneurship approach in terms of comprehensiveness and attention to the principle of sustainability via combining these assets and resources provides mechanisms for employment and secure the income, and by ignoring the elimination and restrictive methods, local communities will be led to optimal exploitation of natural resources. Entrepreneurial assets concentrate on local basic resources. These assets are presented in the form of a five-dimensional model including human, natural, social, physical and financial capital. The present study was conducted in order to meet the requirements for sustainable entrepreneurship, which is one of the main concerns. Not only will this improve the level of development of rural communities, but also it helps exploit agricultural lands as one of the most important assets of villagers and national capital in the best way. To answer this question, a survey was conducted from the community of cooperative experts. Firstly, after reviewing the questionnaires and analyzing the relationship between variables and testing the hypothesis, the result was obtained. Rural development of Qeshm indicates that sustainable entrepreneurship = educational component * 0.28 + socio-cultural component * 0.25 + physical infrastructure component * 0.17 + financial capital component * 0.30 + production-marketing component * 0.37. According to the survey conducted based on the respondents, the most impact is the economic component and the least impact is the knowledge-skills component. Therefore, the greatest impact is related to factors such as profitability, investment, financial strength of users, land prices, different land uses in creating new job opportunities, tourism boom, access to new technologies, diversification of household income, provision of infrastructure by the government, product insurance, the effectiveness of existing laws and regulations, improving government programs and policies, reducing the risk of various land uses.
Rural areas in the country, today, suffer from myriad challenges such as poverty, latent unemployment, environmental degradation, inequality in the distribution of opportunities and resources between urban and rural areas, which indicates the failure of former rural development strategies to provide successful solutions to address them. Therefore, sustainable entrepreneurship development targeting sustainable rural development tend to be an appropriate strategy. Sustainable entrepreneurship in a specific geographical area, such as the coastal villages of Qeshm Island resonates many rural areas of the country. Despite the numerous natural and economic potentials, they face with many challenges. Due to lack of comprehensive planning and lack of systemic vision, the coastal villages of Qeshm Island are like other rural areas of the country are currently in a poor situation and faces many problems such as poverty, widespread youth unemployment, water shortages, migration, inadequate infrastructure, etc. Nonetheless, the formation of cooperatives (production, distribution and sale) facilitate rural economic activities. Local organizations, on the other hand, are possible through the formation of competitive and endogenous small and medium-sized enterprises, especially in the industrial and service sectors. This can be an appropriate and logical answer to the issues which is along with the development of the agricultural sector.
In these companies, villagers are central to the decisions. The existence of cooperatives, especially actors in this field, as well as obtaining their opinions on sustainable entrepreneurship in coastal villages can be helpful. This study explores the requirements for sustainable entrepreneurship from practitioners’ point of view.
Methodology
The present study was conducted in order to meet the requirements for sustainable entrepreneurship, which is one of the main concerns. Not only will this improve the level of development of rural communities, but also it helps exploit agricultural lands as one of the most important assets of villagers and national capital in the best way. The analysis of the questionnaire data was done using two software Spss20 and Amos. First, ANOVA, t-test for independent groups, Pearson correlation, and regression were conducted using Spss20 software. Then, goodness of fit test for measuring latent variables of the research, confirmatory factor analysis was used. In addition, in order to test the relationships between latent variables in the conceptual model of the research, structural model analysis was used for path analysis using Amos software. Structural equation modeling is an approach that includes two stages, namely the measurement model and the structural model. The first stage, the measurement model, examines the validity, reliability and relevance of the latent variables of the research using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). In the second stage, the structural model evaluates the hypotheses about the relationship between the latent variables (structures) of the research.
Discussion and conclusion
Sustainable entrepreneurship approach in terms of comprehensiveness and attention to the principle of sustainability via combining these assets and resources provides mechanisms for employment and secure the income, and by ignoring the elimination and restrictive methods, local communities will be led to optimal exploitation of natural resources. Entrepreneurial assets concentrate on local basic resources. These assets are presented in the form of a five-dimensional model including human, natural, social, physical and financial capital. The present study was conducted in order to meet the requirements for sustainable entrepreneurship, which is one of the main concerns. Not only will this improve the level of development of rural communities, but also it helps exploit agricultural lands as one of the most important assets of villagers and national capital in the best way. To answer this question, a survey was conducted from the community of cooperative experts. Firstly, after reviewing the questionnaires and analyzing the relationship between variables and testing the hypothesis, the result was obtained. Rural development of Qeshm indicates that sustainable entrepreneurship = educational component * 0.28 + socio-cultural component * 0.25 + physical infrastructure component * 0.17 + financial capital component * 0.30 + production-marketing component * 0.37. According to the survey conducted based on the respondents, the most impact is the economic component and the least impact is the knowledge-skills component. Therefore, the greatest impact is related to factors such as profitability, investment, financial strength of users, land prices, different land uses in creating new job opportunities, tourism boom, access to new technologies, diversification of household income, provision of infrastructure by the government, product insurance, the effectiveness of existing laws and regulations, improving government programs and policies, reducing the risk of various land uses.
Mojtaba Ghadiri Masom, Mohammad Amin Khorasani, Zahra Torkashvand, Shima Amidi,
Volume 10, Issue 37 (12-2021)
Volume 10, Issue 37 (12-2021)
Abstract
Introduction
Entrepreneurship as a strategy in the development, prosperity and growth of human societies has been an invaluable mechanism through which all the factors, resources and facilities of a society are mobilized in a spontaneous and evolutionary fashion, which is the source of many positive economic and social effects and consequences. Knowing about the driving forces of rural entrepreneurship development are crucial. The development of rural entrepreneurship depends on some drivers such as appropriate infrastructure, environmental conditions, social cohesion and solidarity of entrepreneurs in different stages from production to supplement, quality of institutional services, supportive laws and policies and individual and behavioral characteristics of entrepreneurs. Despite the necessity of these drivers, the level of priority and significance are not the same, hence some of them will be mandatory and others might be complementary in the entrepreneurial process. This study seeks to identify the most important drivers of entrepreneurship development in rural areas of Iran by a systematic review of scientific publication in recent years, and prioritize these drivers based on their significance.
Methodology
This study is applied in terms of purpose, and descriptive-analytical in terms of content. In this study, meta-analysis method was used to identify the drivers of entrepreneurship development in rural areas of Iran. 50 published papers in national and international scientific research journals until March 2018 were used to identify the drivers of entrepreneurship development. The main topic of these papers was entrepreneurship in rural areas of Iran. We implemented Q method for extracting and summarizing the most important factors of rural entrepreneurship. To this end, this study selected 38 Q statements as the Q sample. For sorting Q categories using purposive sampling method, 30 individuals familiar with rural entrepreneurship were selected as participants. Finally, factor analysis method in SPSS software was utilized to identify and prioritize the most important drivers of rural entrepreneurship.
Discussion and conclusion
Findings of the meta-analysis from the review of sources indicate that among the conducted studies, behavioral, educational and technological, supportive, economic, social, and environmental and infrastructure drivers are among the most important drivers of rural entrepreneurship development. Based on the findings of the Q method, which prioritized the most important drivers of rural entrepreneurship, the discourse analysis and the participants' mental pattern highlighted the behavioral drivers. Behavioral drivers consist of ability to endure difficult and stressful situations, strengthen the self-confidence, problem solving skills, discipline at working, acknowledging opportunities and be risk-taking. For educational drivers, the participants prioritized adequate access to information channels and resources, investment in research and development to increase productivity, and taking entrepreneurship training courses. For economic drivers, the respondents underscored the access to seed money, granting low-interest loans and tax deduction in creating new production units. On supportive drivers, the priority was for transparent economic and tax rules and household support. The expansion of platforms and infrastructure (road, electricity, telephone, Internet, etc.) was the most important condition for infrastructure drivers. As a result, in order to develop rural entrepreneurship, in addition to these drivers, it is necessary to consider issues such as establishing rural incubators and think tanks, establishing rural development councils and entrepreneurship parks, and providing basic infrastructure for policy makers and planners.
Entrepreneurship as a strategy in the development, prosperity and growth of human societies has been an invaluable mechanism through which all the factors, resources and facilities of a society are mobilized in a spontaneous and evolutionary fashion, which is the source of many positive economic and social effects and consequences. Knowing about the driving forces of rural entrepreneurship development are crucial. The development of rural entrepreneurship depends on some drivers such as appropriate infrastructure, environmental conditions, social cohesion and solidarity of entrepreneurs in different stages from production to supplement, quality of institutional services, supportive laws and policies and individual and behavioral characteristics of entrepreneurs. Despite the necessity of these drivers, the level of priority and significance are not the same, hence some of them will be mandatory and others might be complementary in the entrepreneurial process. This study seeks to identify the most important drivers of entrepreneurship development in rural areas of Iran by a systematic review of scientific publication in recent years, and prioritize these drivers based on their significance.
Methodology
This study is applied in terms of purpose, and descriptive-analytical in terms of content. In this study, meta-analysis method was used to identify the drivers of entrepreneurship development in rural areas of Iran. 50 published papers in national and international scientific research journals until March 2018 were used to identify the drivers of entrepreneurship development. The main topic of these papers was entrepreneurship in rural areas of Iran. We implemented Q method for extracting and summarizing the most important factors of rural entrepreneurship. To this end, this study selected 38 Q statements as the Q sample. For sorting Q categories using purposive sampling method, 30 individuals familiar with rural entrepreneurship were selected as participants. Finally, factor analysis method in SPSS software was utilized to identify and prioritize the most important drivers of rural entrepreneurship.
Discussion and conclusion
Findings of the meta-analysis from the review of sources indicate that among the conducted studies, behavioral, educational and technological, supportive, economic, social, and environmental and infrastructure drivers are among the most important drivers of rural entrepreneurship development. Based on the findings of the Q method, which prioritized the most important drivers of rural entrepreneurship, the discourse analysis and the participants' mental pattern highlighted the behavioral drivers. Behavioral drivers consist of ability to endure difficult and stressful situations, strengthen the self-confidence, problem solving skills, discipline at working, acknowledging opportunities and be risk-taking. For educational drivers, the participants prioritized adequate access to information channels and resources, investment in research and development to increase productivity, and taking entrepreneurship training courses. For economic drivers, the respondents underscored the access to seed money, granting low-interest loans and tax deduction in creating new production units. On supportive drivers, the priority was for transparent economic and tax rules and household support. The expansion of platforms and infrastructure (road, electricity, telephone, Internet, etc.) was the most important condition for infrastructure drivers. As a result, in order to develop rural entrepreneurship, in addition to these drivers, it is necessary to consider issues such as establishing rural incubators and think tanks, establishing rural development councils and entrepreneurship parks, and providing basic infrastructure for policy makers and planners.
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