Agricultural Economics
F. Razzaghi Borkhani; T. Azizi Khalkheili; A.A. Barati
Abstract
IntroductionThe shortage of freshwater resources is one of the primary crises the world faces, despite the constant availability of renewable water sources. As a result, the rising risks associated with water scarcity are a critical concern. The water crisis reduces crops production and negatively affects ...
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IntroductionThe shortage of freshwater resources is one of the primary crises the world faces, despite the constant availability of renewable water sources. As a result, the rising risks associated with water scarcity are a critical concern. The water crisis reduces crops production and negatively affects food security. Due to the increase in demand for food, agriculture section is under more pressure because of both water crisis and more demand for food. Agricultural sector has been also facing with water shortage due to climate changes caused by the more global warming and low precipitation. Water crisis and climate changes leading to a decrease in the crops production. Now, agriculture and livelihood of villagers has become unstable more than any time. Considering the importance of irrigated farming in Mazandaran province in the country's food security, the present study was conducted with the aim of identifying the most important variables that affecting water security in Mazandaran province. Materials and MethodsThe statistical population of the research included 16 subject experts with research or executive experience in the fields related to water studies, water security and climate change. The selection of them was done in a purposeful way. The data collection tool was a researcher made questionnaire and the data collection method was face-to-face interview. At first, to identify the variables involved in water security a subject literature review and several semi-structured interviews with subject experts were conducted. Then, the experts were asked to evaluate the cross-effects of the identified variables through pairwise comparisons and in the form of the MICMAC questionnaire. Finally, the data were analysis using MICMAC software. Results and DiscussionAccording to the results, among the studied variables, "knowledge and environmental literacy of villagers" and "reduction of precipitation due to climate change" (input variables) are two important key variables that directly and indirectly affect water security and therefore should be considered. The variables "best management of appropriate farm operations", "volume and diversity of water resources" and "good management and governance of agricultural water" are intermediate variables, with high impact and high dependence. Based on the direct influence network intensity of the key variables involved in water security, variables such as “best management of suitable farm operations”, “good management and governance of agricultural water”, “the degree of resilience of farmers to adapt to climate change” play a central and sensitive role. Based on the indirect relationships, “best management of appropriate farm operations”, “the degree of resilience of farmers to adapt to climate change”, “risk management of ecological hazards and climate change” have the greatest indirect effect on other variables and should be considered by policy makers and planners in this field. ConclusionWater crisis is a major challenge for agricultural activities and consequently for food security. Considering the vital role that Mazandaran province plays in the agricultural products production and as a result food security, the present study examined the most important variables affecting food security. The findings of this study showed that "good management and governance of agricultural water" has the most direct impact on water crisis management. Good water governance can be taken into consideration with the relative strengthening and synergistic participation of public and private sectors and non-governmental organizations in line with the planning and implementation of food security policy with the water-energy-food nexus approach. The role of increasing the environmental knowledge and literacy of villagers by providing effective educational-promotional services such as farm filed school is very important on the farmer's resilience and adaptability. On the other hand, variables such as good water management and governance, development of new irrigation systems and technologies, zoning of agricultural lands and the explanation of the appropriate cultivation pattern for each zone (such as planting crops with low water demand and high added value include medicinal plants) are undeniable impact on the livelihood resilience of the farmer's family and adaptation to climate change conditions. Diversify the livelihood resources of farming households with the participation of household women, promoting climate-oriented businesses that are compatible with climate changes (such as agricultural tourism and handicrafts), using drought-resistant species, changing the date of cultivation, developing greenhouse cultivation, medicinal plants and modernization of irrigation, change of history and cultivation pattern play important roles on the resilience of farmers to adapt climate change.
T. Azizi Khalkheili; Gh.H. Zamani; E. Karami
Abstract
Introduction: Human activities have induced change and variation in world climate. Climate change and variability are important issues because of their effects on agriculture, environment, public health and total society. Developing countries are generally more vulnerable to the consequences of these ...
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Introduction: Human activities have induced change and variation in world climate. Climate change and variability are important issues because of their effects on agriculture, environment, public health and total society. Developing countries are generally more vulnerable to the consequences of these changes, as they tend to rely more on climate-sensitive sectors, such as subsistence agriculture where lack the resources to buffer themselves against the changes. Researches have been done in Iran indicate the occurrence of climate change and variation. The agriculture sector is one of those that seriously affected by climate change and variation therefore to maintain their livelihood farmers need to adapt to climate change and variation. Agriculture is a risky job inherently, and climate change with unexpected future worsens the situation. These changes are a serious threat, especially for smallholder farmers’ livelihood, because they lack sufficient resources such as credit or crop insurance to adapt to this change and to cope with challenges. Adaptation involves the action that people take in response to, or in anticipation of, projected or actual changes in climate to reduce adverse impacts or take advantage of the opportunities posed by climate change. There is very uncertainty about how farmers will respond to the climate change and variation, so more understanding of social and economic factors that affect farmers’ perception of climate change and variation and their response to these changes is needed. This research was conducted in three phases to investigate farmers’ barriers to adaptation to climate change and suggest solutions to improve the situation in Marvadasht County, Fars Province.
Materials and Methods: In phase one, consulting Marvdasht Jihad-Agriculture experts two villages purposefully selected as research sample. One village with highest climate variation and one village with lowest climate variation. A qualitative research using focus group depth interview technique was implemented in selected villages and farmers perspectives about main obstacles and barriers of farmers adaptation to climate variation was investigated. In phase two, based on phase one results also literature review, eight barriers recognized as a farmers main problem. Then to rank the importance of these barriers from farmers perspective a survey research was conducted on 307 farmers selected by multistage stratified random sampling from four sections of Marvdasht County. In phase three, based on the results of the previous phases as well library research, suggested solutions for improvement of the situation of farmers adaptation were determined. Perceptions of Marvdasht Jihad-Agriculture experts’ perspective was investigated about suggested solutions in an expert group session. Then, using a general question and open discussion experts perspective about farmers barriers to adaptation to climate variation and their suggested solutions were investigated.
Results and Discussion: Based on research findings, in phase one, eight barriers of farmers adaptation were recognized in two villages with a different situation in a focus group depth interview. These barriers include financial constraints and lack of saved money, lack of credit and loan problem, inequitable distribution of governmental facilities, unsuitable programing to distribute facilities, organizational bureaucracy, insurance problems, lack of a suitable market to sale products, and land fragmentation. In phase two, based on survey results barriers ranked in two groups of individual and institutional barriers, and in phase three based on Marvdasht Jihad-Agriculture experts’ viewpoints, the present and ideal condition of solutions to face the challenges of adaptation were presented in three dimensions (providing information, farm management, as well administration and financing). Based on experts’ perspective, these solutions ranked regarding their necessity and importance of attention. More essential solutions were: presenting information and consultation about whether situation and forecast to farmers in radio and television as well as agricultural extension service centers, decreasing bad usage of water resources and deeping the well, preventing the crops like rice with high water need and cultivating crops with low water need and drought resistant, improving the credit supply system to decrease farmers’ financial problems and lack of capital (include low interest loans, crop insurance, production subsidies…). According to experts’ view points, there are 12 barriers and obstacles for farmers’ adaptation to climate variation and they suggested some recommendations to reduce these barriers.
Conclusion: Agriculture is highly dependent on weather situation and alteration in weather parameters such as temperature, precipitation and CO2 as a result of climate change influence farming system outputs. Adaptation to climate change and variation is a prerequisite for sustainable development. Farmers to maintain their livelihood also coping and adapt to climate variation face different barriers and obstacles, they need support from related organizations to overcome these barriers. In this regard the first action of organizations and individual that have responsibility is suitable recognition of farmers’ situation and their problems. As research findings reveal there are various problems and obstacles regarding the perspective of farmers and experts. Considering these problems and suggested solutions from different stakeholders, it could be hopeful to see better adaptation to climate variation in the future.
T. Azizi Khalkheili; Gh.H. Zamani
Abstract
AbstractThe main portion of water is consumed by agricultural section in the world. With regards to drought crisis, farmers' participation (FP) in irrigation management can play important role in increasing irrigation water productivity. Farmers' participation decreases public costs for building and ...
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AbstractThe main portion of water is consumed by agricultural section in the world. With regards to drought crisis, farmers' participation (FP) in irrigation management can play important role in increasing irrigation water productivity. Farmers' participation decreases public costs for building and maintaining irrigation networks, furthermore, increases their responsibility and ownership feeling towards protecting and use of irrigation networks. This research was conducted to determinate the factors affecting FP in irrigation management by use of path analysis technique on Doroodzan Dam Irrigation Network in Fars province, Iran. Descriptive research method with survey technique, for collecting data, was applied. Multi-stage stratified random sampling was used to select 270 farmers as the research subjects. The research findings showed that farmers' attitude towards participation and problem perception had the greatest direct affect on FP in irrigation management. Farmers' sociability and attitude towards personnel of Extension and Agricultural Service Centers had the greatest indirect affect on FP in irrigation management, and showed the greatest direct affect on farmers' attitude in this regards. Based on the research findings, applicable recommendations were made such as: inducing positive attitude toward participation as well as toward executive organizations by meaningful performance and offering feedback of activities to the farmers; and also increasing their perception toward problems through delivering training sessions and direct contacts.
