درخت حوزه‌های تخصصی

Sustainable agriculture depends on the use of eco-friendly technologies by farmers.This research was conducted to identify and evaluate farmers' intent to use pheromone traps for controlling rice pests in paddy farms of Simorgh County, Mazandaran Province. Methodologically, this research was carried out using a questionnaire-based survey. The statistical population of this research included 1,500 farmers in 29 villages of Simorgh County, in which 204 farmers were selected using Cochran formula. Samples were selected using proportionate stratified random sampling. The formal and content validity of the questionnaire was based on experts' opinion and its reliability was calculated based on Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was calculated between.70 and.80 for the scales of research variables. Data were analyzed using SPSS 20 software. The results showed that 33.8% and 16.7% of the respondents intended to use pheromone traps relatively strongly and strongly, respectively. The regression path analysis method was used to identify the direct and indirect effects of independent variables on the final dependent variable of intention to use the pheromone traps. The results of the path analysis showed that subjective norms had the most direct effect on the dependent variable (intention to use) (r=0.947). In terms of total direct and indirect effects, the perceived barrier to use with a total impact of 1.373 was in the first place. According to beta coefficients, the variables of attitude, behavioral control, and subjective norms had total effects of 0.391, 0.690, and 1.076, respectively.

Purpose- The aim of this study is to identify and prioritize the obstacles to capacity development in gardening exploitations of the villages of Padena Olya in Semirom County. Design/methodology/approach - The present study has been done with causal - descriptive research method and the data has been completed using questionnaire and interview tools. In addition, 273 samples were chosen (using Cochran formula) from the family farming of Padena Olya Village as the statistical population and it has been completed by the random sampling method. Data analysis is done using both quantitative method, including descriptive and inferential statistics (path analysis and structural equation modeling using Amos Graphic software), and qualitative method, including Atlas software. Findings - The analysis of qualitative findings based on semi-structured interviews and focus groups showed that the main obstacles related to capacity development are of social, economic, and environmental dimensions. Data coding based on the grounded theory also showed the most important obstacles in marketing categories, the environmental obstacles, the obstacles of participation, also and educational and promotional obstacles. Finally, the quantitative data analysis using structural equation modeling, in addition to the obstacles presented in the qualitative model, has estimated production capacities and empowerment as mediating variables in the final model of capacity development obstacles in the study area. The economic obstacles with 0.33 and environmental obstacles with 0.17 have the greatest effect on the lack of capacity development of the exploitations in the study area, respectively. Research limitations/implications - They include the lack of cooperation of relevant organizations in the presentation of information, as well as the low interest of operators to participate in the interview and cooperation to collect the qualitative data which led to an increase in the duration of attendance within the study area, held more group sessions, and thus slowed down the process of study. Practical implications - We propose a plan for increasing government support to gardener in various affaires, such as increasing the share of insurance premiums. It is also advisable to attempt to determine the fair price or the guarantee purchase of the gardeners' products and create cooperatives to manage the sales and marketing of the product to remove the brokers and dealers. Originality/value - The present study stresses the capacity development process of horticulture through identifying and analyzing the effects of obstacles and capacity building and empowerment of farmers. This research explores the hidden variables and the barriers to capacity development in gardening exploitations.