Showing 6 results for Sustainable Agriculture
Ezatollah Karami, Daryoosh Hayati,
Volume 2, Issue 1 (4-1998)
Abstract
Sustainability has become a part of the language of almost all development projects. Although, in many instances it has been overused and misused, attaining sustainability in agricultural development is always one of our concerns. This paper aims (1) to clarify and describe the core beliefs and values underlying the two opposing world views of agriculture, i.e., “conventional agricultural paradigm” and “sustainable agricultural paradigm” (2) to describe an instrument developed to measure the basic beliefs and values assumed to constitute the two competing paradigms (3) to measure the adherence of extensionists and researchers of the Ministry of Agriculture towards sustainable agriculture and (4) to compare the adherence to alternative paradigms against conventional agricultural paradigms of Iranian groups with permaculture groups and agricultural chemical dealers of USA. The instrument was used in a nation wide survey. A two-stage random sample was used. In the first stage, 11 provinces were randomly selected and then in each of the selected provinces a simple random sample of extension agents, extension experts and agricultural researchers were selected for the study. The findings indicated that there is no significant difference among agricultural researchers, extension agents and extension experts in their mean endorsement score of sustainable agriculture. Data from a similar study in the USA were used to provide a means of comparison. Two extreme groups were selected, permaculture group with strong sustainable agricultural score and agricultural chemical dealers with lowest mean scores of sustainable agriculture. The mean scores of sustainable agriculture adherence of three Iranian groups were considerably lower than that of the USA permaculture group. However, there was no significant difference between three Iranian groups and USA agricultural chemical dealers which indicates low adherence of Iranian sample to sustainable agriculture. Considering the challenges Iranian farmers face for food production in the next decade and the role of the Ministry of Agriculture personnel, recommendations are put forth for changing knowledge, attitudes and skills of agricultural researchers and extensionists.
G.pezeshki-Raad, M. Masaeli,
Volume 6, Issue 4 (1-2003)
Abstract
This study utilized a descriptive-correlational surveying approach to examine some economic factors involved in the adoption of an integrated campaign to control rice stem borer (Chilo suppressalis) in Isfahan Province. The population consisted of farmers living in the vilages where Biological Control Plan was conducted (N=6000). The population frame was obtained from Isfahan Agricultural Organization. The sample was obtained using the cluster random sampling method (n=361). Questionnaire and interview were used for data collection in this study. Face and content validity of the instrument was established using a panel of experts consisting of senior faculty members in agricultural extension and education at Tarbiat Modaress University. Further, the agricultural officer of Isfahan Province validated the questionnaire. A reliability analysis was conducted and Cronbach alpha value was reported to be 83 percent. The results showed that the rate of adoption of Integrated Campaign to Control Rice Stem Borer among the farmers was moderate. Among the economic characteristics, there was a significant relationship between adoption of integrated campaign and area of land, amount of area under cultivation, degree of family cooperation in the agricultural activities, access to agricultural inputs, access to financial resources, and yield of rice per hectare.
M. Shahvali, J. Moshfegh,
Volume 9, Issue 1 (4-2005)
Abstract
Changing agricultural experts' attitude toward sustainability principles and perceptions is essential to create sustainable agriculture. Various studies had shown that permanent changes are not easily accessible to maintain ecological values. Therefore preparing effective information channels and precautions leading to communication system firmness are important challenges ahead. The purpose of the present research was the evaluation of caricature effects on attitude change of Jihad Agriculture Organization experts concerning sustainable agriculture in Shiraz. A Quasi-experimental research method was devised for three groups consisting of two experimental and one control group. A Pre- and a Post-test were also administered. Eighty experts from Jihad Agriculture Organization were selected in a simple randomized sampling manner. Based on research theories, questions were devised and data were collected through a questionnaire. Its validity and reliability were determined by specialists and Cronbach's Alpha, respectively.
The results indicated that workshops had changed experts' attitude toward sustainability principles and perceptions and workshops with caricature had the most influences on the change of attitudes. Thus the use of caricature is significant to establish sustainable agricultural principles and perceptions in experts at local level conditions.
A. R. Ommani, M. Chizari,
Volume 10, Issue 1 (4-2006)
Abstract
The main objective of this article is to present the results of a study done about the social, economical, and farming characteristics of wheat farmers in Khuzestan province of Iran regarding adoption of low input sustainable agriculture (LISA). LISA practices have tended to reduce the use of fertilizer pesticides, and maximal tillage, but, rely more on crop rotation, crop residues, animal manure, green manure, leguminous, appropriate mechanical cultivation or minimal tillage to optimize soil and natural pest control activity. The research design was a descriptive and correlation surveying method. Wheat farmers in Ahvaz, Behbahan, and Dezful township of Iran who cultivated wheat by the use of irrigation in the year of 1379-80 were the target population for this study. A random sample of wheat farmers selected from three randomly selected township of Ahvaz, Behbahan, and Dezful township (N = 5529 , n = 359 ). The main results of the study indicated that correlation of level of education, wheat land, ownership land , income, social participation, social status, social norm, technical knowledge, LISA knowledge, with adoption LISA practices were significantly positive and the correlation of age, experience in agriculture, distance between farm and service centers with adoption LISA practices were significantly negative.
N Rouhani, H Yang, S Amin Sichani, M Afyuni, S.f Mousavi, A.a Kamgar Haghighi,
Volume 12, Issue 46 (1-2009)
Abstract
Iran, with an average annual precipitation of about 252 mm (413 BCM) and renewable freshwater resources of 130 BCM, has irregular distribution of water resources. With a high population growth rate, agriculture remains the greatest water user in Iran but its production still does not meet the total food demand of the country. Due to unreliable water availability, the competition for water from other sectors and the increasing demand for food and better diets, Iran will experience water stress. In this study, virtual water trade in relation to water resources availability has been assessed as a way of relaxing water stress in Iran. The results showed that from the 21 food products, cereals, pulses, nuts and oilseeds are water-intensive crops according to their estimated virtual water content, while fruits, vegetables and industrial crops are not water-intensive. Considering the volume of virtual water entering the country through food imports, more water will be available for other essential uses. However, the virtual water trade has been developed rather unconsciously regarding water use and crop water productivity during the past two decades. For instance, wheat with a share of 58.5% in the virtual water import to Iran, was the dominant imported crop during 1983-2003. By importing 10.4 Mt of wheat, 11.6 BCM of water has been saved within the country during 1999-2003. However, Iran became self-sufficient in wheat production in early 2005. Consequently, this latest drive for self-sufficiency in the production of wheat, as a water-intensive crop, put tremendous pressure on domestic water resources. The trend in crop trade in terms of quantity and virtual water for other groups of crops has also been shown in the study. Seemingly, crop production and import have been greatly influenced by the weather conditions. With the increasing water scarcity, the role of virtual water in food security is expected to rise continuously in Iran. Thus, conscious virtual water trade as a policy measure in water management and judicious adjustment in agricultural structure will ensure sustainable food security and water availability in Iran.
S. Moradnia, R. Naderi, M. Najafi,
Volume 21, Issue 2 (8-2017)
Abstract
In order to investigate the persistence of organic amendments, nitrogen and zinc effects on soil characteristics in rapeseed-wheat rotation, a factor analysis was conducted in a complete random design with three replications in two consecutive years in a greenhouse. Treatments in the first year consisted of N fertilizer, municipal waste compost, vermicompost, sheep manure. The control consisted of zinc and two rapeseed cultivars. In the second year of the experiment, two cultivars of durum wheat were sown in the same pots as the first year of the experiment. Results showed that two years after application of cattle manure, a significant increase in soil electrical conductivity (41.81 %), available K (59.45 %) and available Mn (79.82 %) compared to the control were found. Saturated soil moisture (48.57%), total N (94.66 %), available Fe (46.49 %) and available Cu (47.51 %) significantly increased by municipal waste compost compared to the control. Also, Zinc had a significant effect on soil total N (0.28 %), available K (218.4 mg/kg) and available Mn (12.89 mg/kg). Generally, the results showed that application of organic amendments can change many soil characteristics which some of their impacts might last for next upcoming years. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the soil characteristics and nutrients availability of the fields that were treated with organic amendments in the years after application.
