Investigating Economic and Social Factors Influencing Farmers' Interest in Accepting Organic Garlic Cultivation in Hamadan Province

Document Type : علمی

Authors

• Alireza Abdpour
• Vakil Heidari Sareban
• Nozar Torabi

University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

10.22067/jrrp.v5i1.39989

Abstract

Extended Abstract
1. INTRODUCTION
More than one decade has passed since the significant and extensive emergence of organic agricultural concepts on international level. Rapid and serious loss of vital agricultural resources due to erosion, salinization of land, desertification, extinction of species and environmental pollution is among the world's major concerns. The main cause of such a concern may include indiscriminate use of pesticides, chemical fertilizers and agricultural implements, and the expansion of mechanized cultivation. According to the philosophy of sustainable agriculture, farming systems should be established based on justice and protection of natural resources. Such systems reduce environmental pollution, maintain agricultural productivity, and improve short-term and long-term economic ability and their quality of life. Due to continuous cultivation of garlic and lack of attention to the protection of productive resources over the past decades, we have witnessed a number of problems regarding environmental degradation. The use of pesticides and fertilizers in Hamadan province has been manifold compared to other Iranian provinces. This has been partly due the lack of awareness of factors governing farmers' interest in accepting organic garlic cultivation and sustainable agriculture, and lack of understanding of the mentioned factors in organic agriculture on the part of agricultural experts. Thus, this research, first and foremost, aims at the identification of factors which may affect the willingness of farmers to adopt organic cultivation of garlic in the province, followed by the correct procedures of natural resource management.
2. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
Several schools of thought exist on how to interpret the concept of sustainable and organic agriculture. Although there are major differences between these schools, they all agree that the present condition of agriculture is not sustainable. There are major differences between current and sustainable systems of agriculture. So far, there have been various definitions for organic agriculture. Some think of it as one of the most important agricultural systems for the production of healthy food free of any chemicals. Simply put, organic farming is a kind of agriculture in which consumers may easily use their products and make sure they will have no health problems derived from hormones and pesticides in products. Generally speaking, organic agriculture is not only the exploitation of resources based on purely economic criteria, but it also encompasses emphasis on sustainable production which does not harm basic resources, guarantees the rights of future generations and considers other aspects such as balanced distribution of food, food security, lack of environmental degradation and the use of collective measures. It should be mentioned that Iranian agriculture sector has been affected by inappropriate overuse of external inputs and unsustainable use of agricultural productive resources. The analysis of the present condition of Iranian agricultural sector clearly shows that agricultural systems used in Iran and other Third World countries are based on western patterns of agriculture, which all put emphasis on the use of external inputs.
3. METHODOLOGY
This is an applied, descriptive and non-experimental research. This field research was a cross-sectional survey conducted between 2012 and 2013 crop year. Regarding it paradigm, the research falls into the realm of quantitative research. The research population includes all the producers of garlic in three regions including Hamadan, Touiserkan and Bahar, all located in Hamadan province. Simple random sampling method was used, and the size of the samples included 163 famers. To collect the data, a questionnaire was used. The content reliability of the questionnaire was evaluated by the assistance of a number of professors of Agriculture College of Mohaghegh Ardabili University. A preliminary test was conducted to obtain reliability, and Cronbach's alpha for different sections of the questionnaire were calculated between 0.72 and 0.83.
4. DISCUSSION
The results of economic factors rating showed that three variables including contracts request, the availability of manure in production and demand for organic garlic were respectively the most significant factors affecting farmers' interest in initiating organic garlic cultivation in Hamadan province. Based on the results of ranking social factors, the availability of insurance in the production of organic garlic was the most important factor affecting farmers' interest in initiating organic garlic cultivation. Generally speaking, the results showed that several variables such as demand for organic garlic, the availability of seed for organic garlic production, production costs and organic garlic market had a significant relationship with farmers' tendency to accept organic garlic cultivation in Hamadan province. According to the findings, farmers' conservativeness negatively affected their willingness to cultivate organic garlic. It is proposed to hold exhibitions, make TV/radio programs and distribute brochures to inform people about the benefits of healthy products and the disadvantages of chemical products. Thus they will be more willing to buy organic products. The required inputs should be also provided by government in order to ease farmers' access to such inputs. It is also suggested that a few farms be established by Jahad Keshavarzi Organization in different regions in order to make farmers more familiar with this type of agriculture.

Keywords

• Sustainable agriculture
• organic agriculture
• organic garlic
• Hamadan province

---

References

1- Ajudani, Z., & Mehdizadeh, H. (1388/2009). Survey the possibility of developing and promoting organic farming in Kermanshah province from the perspective of agricultural experts. Journal of Agricultural Extension and Education, 4(1), 63-75. [In Persian].

2- Allahyari, M.S. (2009). Agricultural sustainability implications for extension systems, Faculty of Agriculture, Islamic Azad University, Rasht Branch, 3(12), 768-789, Rasht, Iran.

3- Amani, A.R. (1380/2001). Study the social and economic factors effective on adoption of low input sustainable agriculture wheat in Khuzestan province, Unpublished master’s thesis, Agricultura Education, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modarres University, Tahran, Iran. [In Persian].

4- Antle, J., & Diagana, B. (2015). Creating incentives for the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices in developing countries: The Role of Soil Carbon Sequestration. Department of Agricultural Economics and Economics, Montana State University, AAEA Annual Meetings, Montreal, Canada.

5- Arabiyun, A. (1388/2009). Evaluation the level of sustainability of wheat production and its influencing factors in Fars province. Journal of Agricultural Extension and Education, 5(2), 17-28. [In Persian].

6- Azkiya, M., & Imani, A. (1387/2008). Rural Sustainable development. Tehran: Information Press. [In Persian].

7- Bigdeli, A. (1385/2006). Analysis of factors and barriers to adoption of sustainable agriculture by farmers: a case study of extension workers in Qazvin province. Unpublished master’s thesis, Agricultural Extension and Education Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modarres University, Tahran, Iran. [In Persian].

8- Bolvig, S., Odeke, M., & Gibbon, P. (2007). Household food security effects of certified organic production in tropical Africa: a gendede Analysis, EPOPa.

9- Bunch, R. (2000). Agricultureal research for sustainable development. testimony before US of representative committee on agriculture, March 1.

10- Chaghmaghi Yazdi. M., & Moradi, A. (2007) Organic agriculture is human libration way, Journal of Animal and Agro-Industry, 8(98), 1-18. [In Persian]

11- Darnhofer, I., Schneeberger, W., & Freyer, B. (2005). Converting or not converting to organic farming in Austria: Farmer types and their ration ale. Journal of Agriculture and Human, 2(2), 39 -52.

12- Dsilva, J.L., Shaffril, m.H.J., & Samah, B.A. (2012). Acceptance and sustainability of contract farming among youth in Malaysia. American journal of Agricultural and Biological Sciencesm, 5(3), 350-375.

13- Fathi, M. (2008). Agriculture in the world. Research for planning and agricultural economy institute Publicationm, 3(4), 65-83. Tehran, Iran. [In Persian].

14- Fibel, G. (2003). Organic farming enhances soil fertility and biodiversity. Results from at 21 Year Field Trail.

15- Hasheminejad, A., & Rezvanfar, A. (1389/2010). Survey barriers and problems of organic farming from the perspective of organic Products producers in Rawansar County of Kermanshah province. The First Congress's of Challenges Fertilizer: half a century of fertilizer, (pp:1-13), Tehran, Research Institute. Retrieved 2014, July. 19, from http: //www.civilica.com/Paper-FERTILIZER01-FERTILIZER01_025.html [In Persian].

16- Heidari Sareban, V. (1392/2013). Survey environmental, social and economic factors affecting on development of sustainable agriculture, (Case Study: Ahar County Farmers). Quarterly geographical space, 13(41), 1-13. [In Persian].

17- Karimi, S. (1379/2000). Survey the factors affecting on adoption of soil conservation technologies by farmers in Central Province. Unpublished master’s thesis, Agricultural Extension and Education, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modarres University, Tahran, Iran. [In Persian].

18- Khaledi, M. (1386/2007). Conventional farmer’s attitudes about barriers and incentives for to convert to organic agriculture. The National Conference second of iran Ecological Agriculture of Proceedings (pp: 1477-1492), Gorgan, University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Iran. Retrieved 2014, July. 19, from http: http://www.civilica.com/Papers-NCEA02-0-100-Title-ASC-AI.html. [In Persian].

19- Kiani, G, H., & Layaghati, H. (1386/2007). Analysis economic conditions conversion agricultural current to organic agricultural by using of dynamic linear programming model. Proceedings of the National Conference second of iran Ecological Agriculture (pp: 2727-2737), Gorgan, Iran. Retrieved 2014, July. 19, from http://www.civilica.com/Papers-NCEA02-0-100-Title-ASC-AI.html. [In Persian].

20- Mahmudi, H., & Layaghati, H. (1386/2007). Survey attitudes of consumers to organic products. Proceedings of the National Conference second of iran Ecological Agriculture (pp: 2727-2737), Gorgan, Iran. Retrieved 2014, July. 19, from http://www.civilica.com/Papers-NCEA02-0-100-Title-ASC-AI.html. [In Persian].

21- Malek Saeidi, H. (1388/2009). The factors affecting on agricultural expert knowledge agriculture organization of Khuzestan province on organic agriculture. Journal of Agricultural Economics and Development Research, 40(2), 81-92. [In Persian].

22- Musavi, A, E. (1384/2005). Survey the factors affecting of adoption on the low input sustainable agriculture wheat in Sistan-Baluchistan province, Unpublished master’s thesis, The Science and Research of Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. [In Persian].

23- Office of Environment and Sustainable Development of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture. (1384/2005). Organic Farming and challenges. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture, 4(3), 1-15. [In Persian].

24- Rafeie, A.R., & Fakharzadeh, S. (2010). Organic agriculture training guide, Press Council of Agricultural Engineering, 9(13), 98-121. Tehran, Iran. [In Persian]

25- Reganold, J. P. (2014). Organic agriculture as a form of sustainable agriculture. Encyclopedia of Plant and Crop Science, Marcel Decker, New York, 846-849.

26- Rolling, N. (2001). Facilitating sustainable agriculture. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

27- Ruttan, V. (2004). The transition to agricultural sustainability. Proc Nat Acad Sci 96, 8(2), 5961-5963.

28- Saba, A., Reed, H., & Butler, T. (2014). Attitudes towards organic foods and risk, benefit perception associated with pesticides Institutes. The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, 13(7), 155-182. Rome, Italy.

29- Samaei, M. (1384/2005). A Study situation of organic agriculture crop, problems and strategies for support and promote organic farming. Retrieved 2014, July. 19, from http://www.civilica.com/Paper-NCEA02-NCEA02_230.html.

30- Savari, M., Ebrahimi-Maymand, R., and Mohammadi-Kanigolzar, F. (2013). The Factors influencing the application of organic farming operations by farmers in Iran, Agris on-line Papers in Economics and Informatics, 2(3),179-187. [In Persian].

31- Schneeberger, W., Darnhofer, I. and Eder, M. (2002). Barriers to the adoption of organic farming by cash-crop producers in Austria, American Journal of Alternative Agriculture, 17(1), 85-97.

32- Sedghi, H., & Rusta, K. (1382/2003). The survey factors affecting on sustainable agricultural knowledge of Fars province. Iranian Journal of Agricultural Science, 34(4), 913-924. [In Persian].

33- Seyedan, M. (1389/2010). A survey economic of garlic cultivation in the Hamadan province. Journal of Agriculture and Development, 8(31), 137-151. [In Persian].

34- Shahvali, M., & Moshfegh, J. (1384/2005). Evaluation of caricature effects on attitude change of Jihad Agriculture Organization experts concerning sustainable agriculture. Journal of Science, Technology of Agriculture and Natural Resources, 9(1), 26-35. [In Persian].

35- Soleymani, S. (1387/2008). The Factors affecting on adoption of sustainable agriculture to farmers covered by the faint outline of wheat. Journal of Promote Agricultural Economy, 1(3), 69-80. [In Persian].

36- Subaiee, S., Yoder, S.F., & Thomson, J. (2011). Extension agents’ perceptions of sustainable agriculture in the Riyadh Region of Saudi Arabia. Journal of International Agriculture and Extension Education, 12(1), 5-19.

37- Tillman, D., Cassman, K.G., Matson, P.A., Naylor, R., & Polasky, S. (2013). Agricultural sustainability and intensive production practices. Nature, 4(18), 672-675.

38- Walaga, C. (2013). Organic Agriculture in Kenya and Uganda, Study visit Report, CTA, ORPEDE and SACDEP, Kenya.

39- Walter, F. (2013). Sustainable agriculture: It’s about people. Washington Press. Journal of Agricultural Sustainable Development, 6(2), 34-52.

40- Waltz. E. (1999). Final results of the Third National Organic Farmer's Survey. Organic Farming Research Foundation, 9(15), 99-136.

41- Wolfrem, J. (2002). Sustainable agriculture: How to make it work? A modeling approach to support management of a mixed ecological farm, PhD Thesis Wagenegen Uiversity, Netherlands.

42- Yaghoubi, J., & Naseri, E. (2010). Servey solutions of protection of organic farmers in Iran. Proceedings of the 1st National Congress about Agricultural Sustainability and Producing Healthy Product, Isfahan, Iran. [In Persian]

43- Zoghi, M. (1376/1996). A survey of attitudes and staff education needs agriculture organization Khorasan province to sustainable agriculture. Unpublished master’s thesis, Agricultural Extension and Education, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modarres University, Tehran, Iran. [In Persian].