Agricultural Economics
F. Tagavi; B. Hayati; M. Ghahremanzadeh
Abstract
IntroductionBread holds a crucial position in Iranian cuisine and encompasses various types such as Barbari, Lavash, and Sangak. However, these bread varieties are often made from refined flours, lacking the nutritional benefits of whole grains. Reports from the Statistical Center of Iran indicate that ...
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IntroductionBread holds a crucial position in Iranian cuisine and encompasses various types such as Barbari, Lavash, and Sangak. However, these bread varieties are often made from refined flours, lacking the nutritional benefits of whole grains. Reports from the Statistical Center of Iran indicate that bread purchases constitute a significant portion of household expenses. Recent studies have raised concerns about the adverse health effects associated with excessive consumption of refined bread, potatoes, and rice, including diabetes, indigestion, obesity, cardiovascular issues, and digestive system disorders. These concerns highlight the limitations of whole grain food consumption, such as whole wheat-grain bread. To address these health concerns, it becomes necessary to provide stronger incentives or encourage individuals to incorporate more whole grain products into their diets. Thus, the present study aims to analyze the factors influencing households' willingness to pay extra for whole wheat-grain bread, specifically Lavash and Sangak, in the city of Tabriz over a specified time period. By examining these factors, valuable insights can be gained to promote the consumption of healthier bread options and enhance public health outcomes.Materials and MethodsTo achieve the research objective, a questionnaire was developed, and data was collected through a random sampling method from households residing in the ten provinces of Tabriz city. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 302 households during the summer of 2020. The data obtained from the questionnaire was analyzed using statistical and empirical techniques, specifically the Contingent Valuation Method (CVM), Sequential Logit (LS) model, and Generalized Sequential Logit (GSL) model. To ensure the validity of the models used, the Brant test of parallel regression was applied. This test evaluated whether there was proportionality in the odds model for ordinal logistic regression. It examined whether the observed deviations from our ordinal logistic regression model were significantly larger than what could be expected due to chance alone. This assessment helped ensure the reliability and accuracy of the statistical analysis conducted in the study.Results and DiscussionThe results of the study indicate that a high percentage of households in Tabriz city, specifically 90.73% for Lavash bread and 93.38% for Sangak bread, were willing to pay extra for whole wheat-grain options. Among the households, 40.4% expressed their willingness to pay less than 20% extra for the bread, while 26.82% were willing to pay more than 50% extra. Several factors were found to influence households' willingness to pay for whole wheat-grain bread. Positive effects were observed for the health index, knowledge of the benefits of whole wheat bread, education level, family income, presence of elderly individuals in the family, and frequent consumption of whole wheat Lavash bread. However, gender had a negative effect on households' willingness to pay for whole wheat-grain Lavash bread. Similarly, for whole wheat-grain Sangak bread, the health index, knowledge of the benefits of whole wheat bread, family income, and the presence of a patient individual in the family had positive effects, while gender had a negative effect. As the null hypothesis of the parallel regression test was rejected, the Generalized Sequential Logit model was applied to analyze the effects of various factors on households' willingness to pay at different levels (0%, less than 20%, 21-30%, 31-40%, 41-50%, and more than 50%) for different types of whole wheat-grain bread. The results of the model yielded different outcomes. Increases in the health index, awareness of whole wheat bread, family income, education level, presence of a patient individual in the family, and frequent consumption of whole wheat bread positively influenced households' willingness to pay more for both Lavash and Sangak bread. Education level and the presence of a patient individual in the family acted as incentives for whole wheat-grain Lavash bread, while gender and the number of household members deterred households from paying more. The general index of bread purchase was the only factor influencing households' willingness to pay more for whole wheat-grain Sangak bread. Education level, knowledge of the benefits of whole wheat bread, gender, and the number of household members had a negative impact on households' willingness to pay for Sangak bread. Moreover, the marginal effects of the coefficients were estimated at different levels, indicating how changes in the independent variables (such as health index, general index of bread purchase, awareness of whole wheat bread, family income, education level, knowledge of the benefits of whole wheat bread, frequent consumption of whole wheat bread, number of household members, presence of elderly individuals in the family, and presence of a patient individual in the family) affected households' willingness to pay for whole wheat-grain bread.Conclusion According to the results, limitation in producing, supplying, and distributing the whole wheat-grain breads across the city, lack of easy access to whole wheat-grain stores, high prices, remote locations for purchases, and family awareness were the main and significant factors of using whole wheat-grain Lavash and Sangak breads among the Tabriz households. In this regard, the following policies were recommended: 1) Increasing the number of whole wheat-grain breads baking units and purchasing stores, 2) Group media can help to the acculturation and adaptation to the consumption of the whole grain bread, 3) Increasing awareness of whole wheat-grain bread benefits on health could be effective steps on the consumption of whole wheat-grain breads in Tabriz city.
M. Jafari Sani; B. Hayati; J. Nematian; M. Ghahremanzadeh
Abstract
Introduction: Qaleh Chay dam basin is one of the largest irrigation regions for food production in Ajabshir and household livelihood mostly depends on agriculture but the occurrence of drought periods and extraction of underground water has led to a reduction in surface water and underground aquifers. ...
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Introduction: Qaleh Chay dam basin is one of the largest irrigation regions for food production in Ajabshir and household livelihood mostly depends on agriculture but the occurrence of drought periods and extraction of underground water has led to a reduction in surface water and underground aquifers. Continuing this process will reduce the agricultural production and consequently the region will encounter economic crisis. On the other hand, the uncertainties of various factors such as rainfall and temperature, which are not easily quantified, would affect agricultural resource system. in current study in order to response to mentioned crisis and uncertainties, interval two-stage stochastic programming (ITSP) has been proposed for water allocation of Ajbashir Qaleh chay dam among agricultural products and the results have been compared with extended ITSP.
Materials and Methods: Interval two-stage stochastic programming (ITSP) is an effective alternative to deal with uncertainties and it can be formulated as follows:
Subject to:
(water availability constraint)
(water allocation goal constraint)
(non- negativity and technical constraint)
where = system benefit; = net benefit to crop per m3 of water allocated; = promised target of water allocation quantity for crop ; = deficit to crop per m3 of water not delivered; = water deficit to crop when the flow is ; = the total amount of flow that take values with probabilities ; = water loss rate in transport process; = the maximum allowable allocation for crop ; = the total amount of crops; = type of crop. Extended ITSP is an effective alternative to cope with water scarcity. The model can be formulated as follows:
Subject to:
Where = cost of increasing 1 m3 water for crop while using alternative ; = total number of alternatives; = available amount of water for crop while using alternative ; is a binary decision variable that takes 1 if crop when using alternative and the seasonal flow is .
Results and Discussion: The data for the selected products (wheat, barley, potato, onion, grape, walnut, almond and apple) were collected from Regional Water Authority and Agriculture Jihad Organization of East Azarbaijan in 2015-16, and in some cases, completed by a questionnaire. The model was written in the GAMS package. Results of ITSP showed that under the low flow level, the total amount of water allocated to all crops would be zero with the exception of almonds where the final allocation of water for it would be [3.64, 20.61]. therefor,Under the medium flow level, the allocation of water for potato, onions, walnuts, almonds and apples would be[0, 5.49], [0, 28.57], [1.30, 35.71], 31.43 and 20 ×1000 m3 respectively and it would be zero for others. Finally under high flow level there would be no water shortage for all products. Water shortages may occur when the seasonal water flows do not be adequate for the promised water allocation for each crop. In such cases users will have to utilize supplementary resources. The results of extended ITSP showed that for wheat, barley, onion, grape and almond the third alternative under low level and the first one under medium flow level can be used. For potato and apple under low level the first alternative and under medium flow level the third one can be applied. Both the first and the third alternative could be utilized for walnut if the flow level was low. Finally, comparing the value of the objective function of ITSP and extended ITSP showed that with the utilization of supplementary resources for satisfying the water needs, the net profit of the system decreases slightly.
Conclusion: In this paper, ITSP method was used to allocate water to agriculture products. The results showed that there was water scarcity for products on drought and normal years. Users can utilize supplementary resources to cope with water scarcity. An extended ITSP method is based on retrieving water shortage and its results revealed that the system net benefit decreases as supplementary water reservoirs were used for water shortages. Based on the results obtained, highlighting the irrigation efficiency is recommended.
E. Pishbahar; R. Ferdowsi; B. Hayati
Abstract
Introduction: The dairy industry in Iran, for the proper use of production capacities and achieving a desirable position in a competitive environment, especially in the international arena, first requires the success of the domestic market using the right marketing methods. As a result, knowing the appropriate ...
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Introduction: The dairy industry in Iran, for the proper use of production capacities and achieving a desirable position in a competitive environment, especially in the international arena, first requires the success of the domestic market using the right marketing methods. As a result, knowing the appropriate marketing strategies with respect to the company's situation can help further the growth of this industry. Marketing strategy is a tool for the organization to respond to competitive situations, and the existing frameworks in this field will help the company to effectively interact with the strategic sectors of the company and external factors. The marketing strategy can help create and develop knowledge and skills in the company, focus on customer needs, facilitate information and activity in a dynamic market environment. Due to the changing environment, having the appropriate strategy can help firms survive and gain competitive advantage; because the chosen strategy must also satisfy the needs of the target market, as well as comply with market and organizational objectives.
Material and Methods: Given that measures the quantity and quality as compliance with sanitary and environmental, risks, the economic - commercial, customer satisfaction, a competitive advantage, innovation and alignment with the market and align with internal process influence on appropriate marketing strategy and often are interdependent, it is a difficult, complex and cumbersome activity. In this research, by study of library resources, the most important criteria on the choice of appropriate marketing strategy to sell dairy products of Eastern Azerbaijan Pegah Company were identified. Due to the difficulties, using of tools that could be modeling network relationships could be useful. DEMATEL method is one of the known methods for determining network relationships between variables. So in this article a hybrid model based on Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), DEMATEL and VIKOR techniques have been proposed to prioritize marketing strategies. For this purpose, the weight of criteria is calculated by AHP method and using a pair wise comparison process. Then DEMATEL method according to the interdependence criteria, reform its weight importance. Finally, VIKOR method is used for prioritizing alternatives (strategies).
Results and Discussion: In the first stage of this research, with the assumption of the independence of the criteria, a AHP model was used to calculate the weights of the criteria. In the next stage, assuming the interdependence between the criteria, a hybrid method AHP-DEMATEL was used, and it was found that the final weight obtained both methods are almost identical, and the result is that the criteria of the model are not interdependent. In addition, based on the weights obtained for the criteria, the most important criteria were as follows: compliance with the health and environment, align with the internal process, risk, economic-commercial, having competitive advantage, innovation and alignment with the market, and customer satisfaction. The DEMATEL technique also concludes that Pegah should consider the competitive advantage criterion as the most important criterion in choosing its marketing strategy because it takes the most impact from other criteria and has the most impact on other criteria. In the last step, four considered strategies in the present study were ranked with VIKOR method and concluded that diversification and focus strategies are the first priority for the East Azerbaijan Pegah company. In addition, the integration strategy and defensive strategy respectively are the second and third priority.
Conclusions: The results of AHP model showed that compliance with the principles of health and environmental criteria is mainly criteria in the selection marketing strategy of the company. The results of DEMATEL techniques showed that the risk, economic - trade and innovation criteria and to align with market standards are cause criteria and among them, the criterion of "economic-commercial" has the greatest impact on other criteria. While compliance with the principles of environmental and health standards, customer satisfaction, competitive advantage and alignment with the company's internal process criteria are disabled. The results of VIKOR model also showed that diversity and focus strategies are first priority for the Pegah Azerbaijan Company. Then, the impact of each of the criteria obtained on four marketing strategy including the integration strategy, focus strategy, diversification strategy and defense strategy were reviewed and defensive strategy as the best marketing strategy for Eastern Azerbaijan Pegah Company was determined. And integration strategy, diversification strategy and focus strategy are the next priorities respectively. Be recommended that the Eastern Azerbaijan Pegah corporate executives instead of using plastic bags, bottles and plastic packaging, use bags that are biodegradable in the environment. The company directors also have a long-term plan to develop new products, and to understand the needs and demands of customers and their complaints and herds increase customer satisfaction.
M. Manafi Mollayosefi; B. Hayati; E. Pishbahar; J. Nematian
Abstract
Introduction: In recent decades too much use of production inputs to increase yield has caused a lot of environmental damages; therefore more attention has been placed to studying the sustainability and continuality of production system along with preserving the renewable natural resources. Thus, sustainable ...
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Introduction: In recent decades too much use of production inputs to increase yield has caused a lot of environmental damages; therefore more attention has been placed to studying the sustainability and continuality of production system along with preserving the renewable natural resources. Thus, sustainable agriculture has been considered as the most effective solution for this matter by experts. This study aims to assess natural resource and agricultural sustainability in counties of East Azerbaijan Province.
Materials and Methods: In this article, agricultural and natural resource sustainability of East Azerbaijan Province counties was assessed by using composite indicators. We consider economic, social and environmental indicators as the decision-making dimensions and each of them include some sub-criteria. The indicators weight were determined by direct survey from agricultural and natural resources experts. The methodology used in this study for assessing sustainability is compromise programming that is one of the goal-programming approaches. The compromise programming is capable of handling a large amount of information. This method is a well-known MCDM approach. The basic idea in Compromise programming is the identification of an ideal solution as a point where each criterion under consideration achieves their optimum value. Since there is a trade-off among criteria, the ideal point is typically not feasible and it is used as a reference point; alternatives are ranked based on how far they are from this. The data have been collected from a variety of sources, including the Agriculture and East Azerbaijan Regional Water Authority and Statistical Yearbook of East Azerbaijan Province in 2015.
Results and Discussion: The results showed that in economic dimension, economic efficiency of irrigation, irrigated wheat yield, conservation tillage and insurance percentage indicators with coefficients of 0.188, 0.154, 0.127 and 0.122 respectively are known as the most important parameters. In social dimension literacy rate, number of agricultural expert, health indicator and agricultural employment indicator with coefficients of 0.137, 0.138, 0.120 and 0.125 respectively are known as the most important parameters. Also, in environmental dimension, the most important parameters are groundwater level, agricultural water usage indicator, water salinity, efficient irrigation systems indicator and nitrate concentration in groundwater coefficients are 0.144, 0.116, 0.093, 0.093 and 0.087, respectively. Classification results showed that in economic dimension, Ajabshir, Heris and Malekan counties are sorted as very sustainable. These counties have good condition of economic efficiency of irrigation, irrigated wheat yield and conservation tillage indicators that are the most important indicators of this dimension. In social dimension, Jolfa, Osku and Ajabshir counties are classified as very sustainable. Number of agricultural expert is the most important indicator in this dimension and Jolfa has the first place in this regard. In terms of literacy rate, the second important indicator in social dimension, all three counties are in a good shape. Osku, in terms of health and immigration indicators and Jolfa in terms of communication indicator have the first place. The low number of agricultural expert, a small number of extension activities, low per capita space and lower immigration are the characteristics of the very sustainable category which includes Malekan, Maragheh, Bostan Abad and Khoda afrin. In environmental dimension, the counties that show a good condition about groundwater level, water salinity, vegetation cover, percentage of soil organic matter and Indicator of chemical Fertilizer use, are sorted as the every sustainable category. This group includes Kaleybar, Varzeghan and Khoda Afarin counties. While less using of efficient irrigation systems, much consumption of agricultural water, higher nitrate concentrations, much use of chemical fertilizers, lack of soil organic matter, lower vegetation cover and the higher number of livestock units in per hectare ranch are common features of the very unstable category. Finally, the results of total sustainability classification show that Kaleybar, Ajabshir and Varzeghan counties are in the very sustainable category, this was far from what we expected because Kaleybar and Varzeghan counties in terms of environmental sustainability and Ajabshir County in terms of social sustainability were classified in the very sustainable category. Maragheh County in all three dimensions is the farthest from the ideal point and classified under the unstable or very unstable group and as a result, in overall, is very unstable.
Conclusions: In this study agricultural and natural resource sustainability of East Azerbaijan Province counties was assessed and the relative importance of the indicators was determined. The results showed that irrigation efficiency must be improved to increase the economic sustainability of agriculture and natural resources in the counties of East Azerbaijan. It is recommended to increase the distribution of improved seeds to increase crop yield. Also, results showed that due to the drought crisis in the region, water resources sustainability is the main concern of agriculture and natural resources sustainability in East Azerbaijan province. Furthermore, more equitable distribution of facilities and infrastructure such as agro-processing industries, rural schools, health centers and recreational facilities can lead to socio-economic development in disadvantaged counties of province
M. Salehnia; B. Hayati; M. Molaei
Abstract
Introduction: The degradation and destruction of natural resources is being considered as an economic issue; because when these resources are destroyed or lost, significant values are destroyed because some of which are irreversible. The major difference between the science of economy and other subjects ...
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Introduction: The degradation and destruction of natural resources is being considered as an economic issue; because when these resources are destroyed or lost, significant values are destroyed because some of which are irreversible. The major difference between the science of economy and other subjects such as ecology on the definition of the “value” is the emphasis of economy on the preferences. Differing sensitivities are the basis for targeted communication programs and promotions. As consumer preferences and sensitivities become more diverse, it becomes less and less efficient to consider the society at the aggregate level. In this research, we will show how hierarchical Bayesian approach is ideal for these problems as it is possible to produce individual -level parameter estimates. Urmia Lake in the northwestern corner of Iran is one of the largest permanent hyper saline lakes in the world and the largest lake in the Middle East. The lake’s surface area has been estimated to be as large as 5585 km2. However, since 1995 it has declined and was estimated to be only 926 km2 in 2014 based on satellite data. Considering no significant trend in the drought pattern, Urmia Lake's observed physiographic changes may be attributable to the overuse of renewable water resources and unbalanced development of agricultural sector. Therefore this research emphasizes the active role of local communities in the conservation and revitalization of Urmia Lake and analyzes the data from the choice experiment using hierarchical Bayes.
Materials and Methods: Choice-based conjoint (discrete choice) measurement has attracted more attention over the last years. Many researchers assert that choice-based tasks are more realistic for respondents than ratings- or rankings-based conjoint questions. However, choice-based conjoint data does not contain as much information per unit of respondent effort as traditional conjoint analysis. There are different ways to analyze the choice data. Hierarchical Bayes is the newest estimation method. The mathematical specification of these model is a Bayesian hierarchical model in which, broadly speaking, a different vector of utility is defined for each respondent. The distribution of these utilities in the whole population has some specified forms, usually normal. Hierarchical Bayes allows for heterogeneity at a respondent's level by specifying different utilities for each respondent. This leads to a greater improvement in simulation techniques: simulation conducted using aggregate or clustered models often lead to the biased results. Its ability to borrow information from other respondents to stabilize part worth estimation for each individual is particularly valuable for choice data. Applying HB to choice data allow analysts largely to solve IIA problems. Four attributes consist of animal habitat, climate regulation and prevention from salt storms, aesthetic and ecotourism, and education and research were considered in this study. The required data have been collected from 13 districts located in the northwest of Iran and Exogenous stratified random sampling applied as the sampling strategy.
Results and Discussion: Estimating willingness to diagnosed climate regulation and prevention from salt storms as the most important attribute from the view of the respondents. Animal habitat, aesthetic and ecotourism, and education and research were in the next places of people’s willingness to pay priorities. Hence, from the public’s point of view, mentioned attributes in the same order, should have most importance and priority in the management scenarios. Individual-level parameters of the Bayes model showed the highest variance for the full restoration of the climate, which implies the existence of conflicting preferences in this attribute. This indicates although some variables are important, they also fluctuate in a wide range of variations and the probability of their selection is different among people. Certainly, hierarchical bayes provides information far beyond the average utility and applying this information will give experts a better understanding of the distribution of preferences. Another important subject to know is that even with four sets of choices in each questionnaire and the need for people to respond to all of them, there is still some uncertainty about the part worths of the individual level.
Conclusions: An important point about model estimation is the diminutive presence of individual explanatory variables. The Bayesian model is recommended to be based on just those respondents’ features that are directly related to the part worths and preferences in choosing goods. It is also recommended that, in order to attract higher rate of contributions, variables with low variation, such as reviving the current status of climate and full restoration of aesthetic and ecotourism which are generally accepted, should be used.
B. Hayati; M. Salehnia; M. Molaei
Abstract
Introduction: In recent years, most environmental evaluation studies have managed the heterogeneity of preferences among individuals. Differing sensitivities are the basis for targeted communication programs and promotions. As consumer preferences and sensitivities become more diverse, it becomes less ...
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Introduction: In recent years, most environmental evaluation studies have managed the heterogeneity of preferences among individuals. Differing sensitivities are the basis for targeted communication programs and promotions. As consumer preferences and sensitivities become more diverse, it becomes less and less efficient to consider the society in the aggregate. In this research, we will show how multilevel latent class approach is ideal for these problems as it is possible to produce group -level parameter estimates. Investment in the ecological health of the Great Lakes basin is pivotal to its long-term economic success. Lake Urmia in the northwestern corner of Iran is one of the largest permanent hyper-saline lakes in the world and the largest lake in the Middle East. The lake’s surface area has been estimated as large as 6100 km2 but since 1995 it has generally been declining and was estimated from satellite data to be only 926 km2 in 2014. Worldwide Experiences indicate that sustainability of wetlands depends primarily on the extent to which local communities are active in their management. Local communities should, therefore, be fully engaged in the conservation and management of the Lake and its satellite wetlands. Hence, we will conduct a choice experiment for investigating public preferences on the nonmarket economic benefits of Lake Urmia restoration.
Materials and Methods: Cluster analysis is the evolution of aggregate estimation. Clustering algorithms find groups of individuals with similar tastes among the whole sample. The preferences of the individuals are estimated in a semi-individual way by assuming that the respondent utility is equal to the cluster utility, allowing for heterogeneities across segments of respondents, but not within the cluster. The fundamental assumption of standard LC models is that observations are independent. However, this assumption is often violated for example the analysis of populations that are hierarchically structured. The multilevel model can be used to define LC models for nested data. Four attributes consist of animal habitat, climate regulation and prevention from salt storms, aesthetic and ecotourism, and education and research were considered. The required data have been collected from 13 districts located in the northwest of Iran and Exogenous stratified random sampling applied as sampling strategy.
Results and Discussion: The estimated model identified three lower-level groups of individuals, each with their own structure of preferences. The first class is a representation of the average individual with no highly stressed motivations and show greater variability in the responses. For class 2, the most important attribute is the climate regulation and prevention of salt storms and the cost is the least important attribute for them. It seems that the second class has an environmental concerns than others. The third class often chooses those options with no gain in environmental levels even if there is deterioration in environmental conditions. Generally, this class shows opposite opinions. The estimation process detected two grand classes in which the covariates were the factor scores from the factor analysis. Grand class 2 is a little bigger than grand class 1, and most people are in lower-level class 2, the group with the highest proportion of high well-educated young people. In this paper, a novel feature named scale-adjusting was considered and two scale classes were determined. Scale class 1 refers to lower error respondents which more than half of the people belongs to. Whereas, scale class 2 is included of less certain or higher error respondents. To summarize, people from the closer districts to Lake Urmia were classified into one specific grand class with considerable homogeneity.
Conclusion: Human society is complex and this complexity and its manifestations impact the preferences of individuals in potentially many ways that currently are not well-understood, but may be associated with preference heterogeneity. Thus, it seems logical to suggest that not only socioeconomic characteristics influence consumer choices, but geophysical characteristics of their surrounding environment also shape their attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs. In particular, results suggest that it may be possible to incorporate many additional individual different measures in models to capture observable heterogeneity in systematic (deterministic) utility components instead of leaving them, exclusively, to random components. Future work should be directed toward better understanding of the complex interplay of environmental choices and market choices. The results also suggest that we can explain a large part of this preference heterogeneity in the systematic (deterministic) component of utility, which in turn may help to manage a geographical area with greater citizen participation and acceptance.
M. Salehnia; B. Hayati; M. Ghahremanzadeh; M. Molaei
Abstract
The lake Urmia and satellite wetlands was selected as a demonstration site for the UNDP/GEF/DOE conservation of Iranian Wetlands Project. This project aims to demonstrate reduction of the major threats of this wetland protected area coordinated through an integrated management plan. We developed a choice ...
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The lake Urmia and satellite wetlands was selected as a demonstration site for the UNDP/GEF/DOE conservation of Iranian Wetlands Project. This project aims to demonstrate reduction of the major threats of this wetland protected area coordinated through an integrated management plan. We developed a choice experiment to examine public preferences and elicit their willingness to pay on improvements in lake’s indicators toward good environmental status. A pilot choice experiment study was administered in Urmia municipality and the data were analyzed using mixed logit model. The results revealed that residents of this municipality may strongly prefer improvement in water quantity and are willing to pay significant amounts (26000 RLs per household per year) to promote current water level to the high level. Furthermore, water quality, numbers of flamingos and Artemia stock (23000, 14670 and 11330 RLs per household per year respectively) were identified as next important issues that warrant additional management attention.
E. Shabani; Gh. Dashti; M. Ghahremanzadeh; B. Haiati; J. Hosseinzad
Abstract
The object of this study was to investigate growth sources of agronomic products in Iran. To achive our object, we used Fan's Frontier Production Function approach, which includes input changes, technical changes and institutional changes. The study conducted for the period between 1977 and 2011 years. ...
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The object of this study was to investigate growth sources of agronomic products in Iran. To achive our object, we used Fan's Frontier Production Function approach, which includes input changes, technical changes and institutional changes. The study conducted for the period between 1977 and 2011 years. Results of ADF test showed that all variables were integrated of order one. In addition, Johansen’s cointegration test indicated that there are at least two cointegration vectors between these variables. Furthermore, outcomes of analysing growth sources of agronomic products indicated that annual growth of agronomic products has been 3.41% , of which 85.9% has been due to increasing the physical inputs including machinery, labor, land and chemical fertilizer with the shares of 39.58%, 26.97%, 11.14% and 0.17%, respectively. Moreover, the shares of the technical changes and the institutional changes in the annual growth of agronomic products were about 8% and 6%, respectively. Considering the highest share of physical inputs in the growth of agronomic products, policies and strategies for increasing the productivity of inputs are recommended.
Sh. Nosrati; B. Hayati; E. Pishbahar; R. Mohammad Rezaie
Abstract
Fish is one of the healthy foods and a rich source of animal protein Average household consumption of fish in our soceity is such a low in that one can rarly find it in a family food basket. Therefore, this study aimed at analyzing the factors affecting consumption of fish among Tabrizian households. ...
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Fish is one of the healthy foods and a rich source of animal protein Average household consumption of fish in our soceity is such a low in that one can rarly find it in a family food basket. Therefore, this study aimed at analyzing the factors affecting consumption of fish among Tabrizian households. To do this, a total of 224 questionnaires was conducted using clustered two- stage sampling method. Due to the ordinal nature of purchase frequency , the data obtained from the questionnaires was initially analyzed by using Ordered- logit model in order to determine the probability of being each family in four categories of non-consumption, annual, monthly and weekly consumption. However, considering that the parallel lines assumption was violated at this model, the Generalized ordered- logit model was finally utilized. Results show that the presence of a small child (< 10) or people suffered from a special disease a family significantly increase the probability of the family falling into the groups with higher levels of fish consumption. According to the research findings, households with older supervisors had higher levels of fish consumption. According to the findings, a rise in any price of red meat or egg increases the probability of consuming fish. The positive and significant coefficient of season shows that families don’t like to eat fish in warm seasons. In addition, a rise in monthly income and family dimension decreases the probability of higher levels of fish consumption than theexisting level.
Sh. Karrari Gharehbagh; B. Hayati
Abstract
In Urmia county, irrigated wheat yield varies in different regions. The highest and lowest yields are attributed to Nazloo region (6.58 tons per hectare) and the lowest yield was for Silvana region ( 2.77 tons per hectare) respectively. So, the purpose of this study is analysis of management factors ...
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In Urmia county, irrigated wheat yield varies in different regions. The highest and lowest yields are attributed to Nazloo region (6.58 tons per hectare) and the lowest yield was for Silvana region ( 2.77 tons per hectare) respectively. So, the purpose of this study is analysis of management factors impact on irrigated wheat yield in Nazloo and Silvana regions of Urmia county. To this end, by questionnaire for 159 formers using proportionate (number of farmers) classified random sampling method, statistical tests have been done and flexible yield functions have been estimated. The results of the yield functions showed that the highest elasticity related to educational skills index and planning skills index belonged to Nazloo region and the highest soil conservation index and technical skills index belonged to Silvana sector. So it is suggested that the farmers increase the yield in the region by learning the new method, increasing the levels of literacy and participating in extension classes.
B. Hayati; T. Khadem Baladi Pour
Abstract
Ghourighol international Wetland which is located at Bostan-Abad conuty in East Azerbaijan province is known as one of the important tourism and promenade zone of Iran due to its special natural gravities. Therefore, studying tourism value of this place could express the importance of its protection, ...
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Ghourighol international Wetland which is located at Bostan-Abad conuty in East Azerbaijan province is known as one of the important tourism and promenade zone of Iran due to its special natural gravities. Therefore, studying tourism value of this place could express the importance of its protection, predicting needs, removing scarcities and the development of tourism. The aim of this research is to estimate recreational value of Goorigoal wetland using contingent valuation method. To determine affecting factors on visitors’ willingness to pay, a logit model was estimated using maximum likelihood approach. Required data was obtained through questionnaires and interviewing with 390 individuals who had visited the wetland in 2008 year. Results indicated that 81 percents of visitors were ready to pay to visit the wetland. Also, visitors’ information about Ghourighol Wetland was in a low level and they mostly were dissatisfied from bad condition of bathrooms, lounge, stores, restaurant, parking lot, transportation service and environmental pollution in the area. Furthermore, results revealed that factors such as education, family’s revenue, information level about this wetland and the time spent in the area had positive and significant effect on the probability of willingness to pay of the visitors, while variables include individual’s age, bid and distance to this wetland had negative and significant effect. The mean value of WTP for the recreational annual value of the Ghourighol wetland is 7430 Rls and the estimated total recreational annual value of the wetland was 743millon RLs. To increase the number of tourists and consequently increase the revenue of tourism in this region, solving the place’s problems, extending people’s information and awareness about such recreational and environmental potentials are offered.
M. Adeli Sardooei; B. Hayati; Sh. Zarifian; S.D. Hosseini Nasab
Abstract
AbstractIn recent decades, more consumption of agricultural inputs led to growth in agricultural products in the world. However, problems occurred due to the lack of attention to environmental issues and risks of excessive consumption of chemicals on human health become a concern for people and policy ...
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AbstractIn recent decades, more consumption of agricultural inputs led to growth in agricultural products in the world. However, problems occurred due to the lack of attention to environmental issues and risks of excessive consumption of chemicals on human health become a concern for people and policy makers. To solve the problem, sustainable agriculture has been considering by authorities. This study aimed at assessing the level of sustainability in some agricultural products. Identification of factors that influence sustainability in the study products was another aim of this study. The study was conducted in 2008-2009. The township of Jiroft was selected for this study, due to economic importance of agriculture in this region. The study concentrated on three products of tomato, potato and onion that play important role in the food security of the region. The statistical population of the study included all onions, potatoes and tomatoes growers (N=1320). Using the Cochran's formula, sample size was measured at 197 persons. Using the stratified random sampling method, the study interviewees were selected. The reliability of the questionnaire was evaluated by Cronbach's alpha's coefficient at 0.75. Content validity was defined using a panel of expert. According to the results, levels of sustainability for 53.2 percent of the study samples were lower than their average level, while 47.2 percent had higher levels. Results of regression model presented that the variables of educational level, knowledge of sustainable agriculture, the number of family labor force, growers’ participation in social activities, the system of private property and livestock- cultivation system have a significant positive impact on the sustainability. The only variable of the rate of cultivation presented a negative impact on the agricultural sustainability. The study recommends holding appropriate extension classes accordance to the level of growers ‘education.
B. Hayati; E. Pishbahar; M. Haghjou
Abstract
AbstractThe aim of this study is to investigate factors affecting consumers' willingness to pay premium prices for the pesticide-free fruit and vegetables in Marand city. A Contingent valuation survey of 394 respondents was conducted in 2010. An Ordered Logit regression model was applied to determine ...
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AbstractThe aim of this study is to investigate factors affecting consumers' willingness to pay premium prices for the pesticide-free fruit and vegetables in Marand city. A Contingent valuation survey of 394 respondents was conducted in 2010. An Ordered Logit regression model was applied to determine factors effecting consumers' willingness to pay for pesticide-free fruit and vegetables. The survey results present that only 3 percent of the respondents would not be willing to pay a premium; while about 64 percent would be willing to pay a premium between 5 and 20 percent and about 33 percent would be willing to pay more than 20 percent premium for pesticide-free fruit and vegetables. Results reveal that factors such as individual's income, environmental and health concerns, the level of safe shopping criteria, consumer's knowledge of pesticide-free fruit and vegetables' characteristics and consumer's knowledge of pesticide's side effects increase the willingness to pay a premium for pesticide-free fruit and vegetables, significantly. In addition, those who have seniors in their family would be willing to pay a significant high premium price for these products. More than 50 percent of the consumers mentioned "the nonexistence of certifications and labels", "lack of supply" as problems of purchasing pesticide-free fruit and vegetables. While 26 percent claimed high prices of these products as their most important problems in their purchasing process of pesticide-free fruit and vegetables. The study recommends encouraging farmers to produce these products, effective advertising and improving consumers’ awareness.
J. Hosseinzad; A. Javadi; B. Hayati; E. Pishbahar; Gh. Dashti
Abstract
Abstract The use of water sources has increased due to extend of agricultural activity for answering food needs of increasing population. While because of exploitation and consumption of water, the use of this restricted resource is not appropriate. Consequently in many districts of country the head ...
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Abstract The use of water sources has increased due to extend of agricultural activity for answering food needs of increasing population. While because of exploitation and consumption of water, the use of this restricted resource is not appropriate. Consequently in many districts of country the head level of ground water aquifers have been fallen and water level is negative. So, application of a proper management program in optimal use of these resources seems to be necessary. With respect to the effects of depletion of ground water store through the time, the time is an important variable in solving of optimization problems for these resources. Thus, the application of dynamic models such as optimal control for these cases because of focusing on time is essential. Models are solved in order to maximize the social net benefit subject to stability of aquifer. In this study, optimal control model is applied for Ajabshir plain where is an important agricultural area in Azarbayjan-e- Sharghi. This plain has been faced with limitation and shortage of water supplies and negative water level in aquifer. The optimal extraction path was determined by execution of the optimal control model in this ground water aquifer. The results show that ground water aquifer built- up and reach the optimal steady state in 36 years. Thus ground water extraction would decrease besides another resource (backstop) would be applied to secure demand of farmers during this period of. Subsequently, regard of determined extraction would result in stability of ground water aquifer and on the other hand, it would cause the stability of agricultural activities as well as increase of farmer's revenue.
M. Ehsani; Gh. Dashti; B. Hayati; M. Ghahremanzadeh
Abstract
AbstractSome issues such as dehydration, local and chronological disproportion of rainfall, low productivity of water in agricultural sector, increasing demand for agricultural products due to increase in population participate with doughtiness are the most challenges of agricultural water. These factors ...
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AbstractSome issues such as dehydration, local and chronological disproportion of rainfall, low productivity of water in agricultural sector, increasing demand for agricultural products due to increase in population participate with doughtiness are the most challenges of agricultural water. These factors caused water to be as one of the important and scarce inputs is agricultural products. Therefore, proper management of water demand and any attempt to saving water consumption, lead to develop of irrigated cultivation and to decrease of environmental consequences due to it’s over consumption. On of the methods in water resource’s management is determination of economic value of agricultural water from consumer’s point view. The main propose of this study is to determine the economic value of agricultural water in wheat production by using both production and dual cost functions in Qazvin plain’s irrigation network in 2007-8 crop year. Results revealed that the economical value of water is 609 and 586 Rials for cubic meter based on the estimated production and cost functions, respectively.
B. Haiati; M. Ehsani; M. Ghahremanzadeh; H. Raheli; M. Taghizadeh
Abstract
AbstractDevelopment of economic activities, population growth, people’s daily increasing business, and improvement of life standards has caused to increase in the demand for natural environments and tourism. The scarcity of these resources and insufficiency of capital resources for the reviving ...
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AbstractDevelopment of economic activities, population growth, people’s daily increasing business, and improvement of life standards has caused to increase in the demand for natural environments and tourism. The scarcity of these resources and insufficiency of capital resources for the reviving and establishing of the proper recreational environment, have orientated the management of natural resources to appraise the resources and to use people's participation. This study determines factors motivating visitors’ willingness to pay for Elgoli and Mashrouteh parks in Tabriz city. To this end, the contingent valuation method and two-stage Hekman approach are utilized. Also their willingness to pay to visit these parks is estimated. The required data gathered in summer 2008 through questionnaire and interviewing 261 visitors. The results revealed that monthly income, number of family members, sexuality, and degree of individual’s satisfaction from social security status, and the number of times that they visit the park over one year, are the effective factors. Moreover, the variables of duration each visit, monthly income, education and age of the visitors is identified as effective variables on the individual’s willingness to pay. The results showed that average of the willingness to pay is 2231 Rls for per visitor. Based on the results, the most effective variable is the satisfaction of social security. Therefore increasing the social security condition can be highly influence the attractive of these parks.
