Mr 1. mohammad Hasan Ekhtyarzadeh, Dr Mehdi Rahimian, Dr Saeed Gholamrezai, Dr Mohsen Aref Nejad,
Volume 13, Issue 47 (6-2024)
Abstract
Objective: Considering the country's need for livestock products, it is very necessary to establish and develop dairy cattle breeding units in the country. On the other hand, there are many challenges in the value production chain of this sector. The aim of the current research is to identify the challenges of the dairy cow value production chain.
Methods: This research is descriptive in terms of practical purpose, in terms of control of field variables and in terms of data collection method. The research tool was a researcher-made questionnaire. The statistical population was specialists, activists and experts in the dairy cattle production sector in Iran. The reliability and validity of the questionnaire were confirmed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient and content validity method, respectively. Data analysis was done using SPSS software at two levels of descriptive and inferential statistics.
Results: According to the results, the most important challenges are, in order of providing financial resources, challenges related to eugenics centers, and administrative and organizational challenges (first to third ranks). Environmental challenges, challenges of cattle products supply and sales centers, and challenges of livestock products transformation and processing industries are in the last ranks (twelfth to fourteenth) of this category.
Conclusions: in all challenges, the rank average of each challenge category is higher than its median value, and the average difference in all challenges with the median value is statistically significant.
Mojgan Ahmadi Chegeni, Mehdi Rahimian, Rezvan Ghanbari Movahhed, Saeed Gholamrezaei, Homa Molavi ,
Volume 14, Issue 52 (9-2025)
Abstract
Objective: Shifting cultivation from high-water-demand crops to those requiring less water is considered an effective adaptation strategy to water scarcity and drought, enabling the continuation of agricultural activities without abandonment. Implementing such a cropping change mechanism requires not only technical, supportive, and legal measures but also psychological interventions through the study of farmers’ behaviors and behavioral intentions regarding crop pattern change. This study aims to examine the behavioral intentions of irrigated wheat farmers toward cultivating low-water-demand crops using the Extended Theory of Planned Behavior (ETPB).
Methods: The statistical population comprised 711 irrigated wheat farmers in Kuhdasht County, Lorestan Province, Iran. Using Krejcie and Morgan’s table, a sample size of 250 farmers was determined. Participants were selected through a combination of stratified proportional allocation and convenience sampling. Data were collected via a researcher-designed questionnaire. Content validity was established through expert review by university professors and specialists from the Agricultural Jihad Water Affairs Department, with subsequent revisions implemented. Reliability was confirmed using Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for all constructs, ranging from 0.78 to 0.93. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 22 and SmartPLS 4.
Results: Results indicated that all hypotheses were supported except for the effects of descriptive norms and risk perception on behavioral intention. The ETPB variables explained 44.8% of the variance in farmers’ behavioral intention. Farmers with higher incomes and larger landholdings showed greater willingness to shift from traditional crops to low-water-demand crops. No significant relationship was found between education level and willingness to change cropping patterns. A significant negative relationship between willingness to change and both age and farming experience suggests that older farmers are generally more risk-averse and less receptive to change compared to younger farmers.
Conclusions: Recommended strategies include establishing demonstration farms for low-water-demand crops such as saffron and medicinal plants suitable for local climatic conditions with the participation of progressive farmers; leveraging public media, social networks, and digital platforms; providing comprehensive support for low-water-demand cultivation through input supply, machinery, training, and advisory services during planting, growing, and harvesting; and preparing educational videos and booklets introducing such crops. These measures aim to encourage adoption among farmers.
