Agricultural Economics
S.M. Seyedan; M. Motaghed
Abstract
IntroductionEffective measures in grape production and processing are essential for understanding market needs. By leveraging acquired knowledge, products should be aligned with market demand, which requires a thorough understanding and application of the value chain. The value chain is a network of ...
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IntroductionEffective measures in grape production and processing are essential for understanding market needs. By leveraging acquired knowledge, products should be aligned with market demand, which requires a thorough understanding and application of the value chain. The value chain is a network of actors who are involved in the supply, production, processing, marketing, and consumption of a product or service, and its actors seek to realize added value in each of the links of the chain and add value as a whole. It is for the activities that take place along the chain. An efficient value chain plays a key role in reducing poverty and food security in the country and has inherent potential for the development of job opportunities. The benefits of the value chain include reducing production costs, increasing productivity, providing valuable services to farmers, a variety of new services with added value, innovation at a faster speed, creating new circles, creating more jobs, reducing rural poverty, transparency in the price of agricultural products, balance of supply and demand, improvement of quality and health of agricultural products, reduction of product waste, increase of product health quality, increase of real profit, consumer satisfaction, reduction of mediation and brokerage, increase of flexibility power and sustainability in production and export. Materials and MethodsIn this research, data was collected from each agent (link in the chain) using a questionnaire. Various methods exist for analyzing the value chain, with the SWOT analysis (identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, as well as determining strategic positioning) being the most significant. This method was utilized in the study and will be briefly explained in relation to the SWOT matrix analysis process. However, since the SWOT analytical matrix generates multiple strategies without prioritizing them, the QSPM matrix was employed to establish priorities. This matrix is used in the last stage of strategy development and for selecting and prioritizing strategies. This matrix prioritizes different strategy options according to their attractiveness score. Results and DiscussionIn the present study; 74 components in the template (15 strengths, 23 weaknesses, 19 threats and 17 opportunities) were extracted and categorized. To evaluate the internal factors of the grape value chain with an emphasis on its yield, the internal factors evaluation matrix (IFE) was used. In this matrix, the strengths and weaknesses were listed and scored using special coefficients and ranks to determine the final score of the evaluation of internal factors. The analysis of internal factors revealed a total score of 61.2, indicating that the grape value chain in Hamedan Province is in a strong position. In other words, its internal strengths outweigh its weaknesses. Similarly, the analysis of external factors showed a weighted score of 2.87. Therefore, the grape value chain in Hamedan has an external opportunity. In other words, the opportunities of the grape value chain are more than its threats. Conclusion and SuggestionsTo improve this situation, the raisin value chain model was designed based on observations and research findings. This model is an executive model that has five main actors including 1- Input supply link (without timely supply of inputs and without creating a basis for the development of a competitive environment in this link, one cannot hope for sustainable production and export), 2- The link of grape growers is 3- the circle of packaging and processing factories, 4- the circle of distribution and marketing, and 5- the circle of consumption and communication with customers. This model also has a support link (providing consulting, training, and support services to investors to help create and launch new businesses within the chain) that supports all the links in terms of structure, design, research, training, financial management, and resource management. Humanity supports. These measures attract investment, create employment, develop chain links and growth, and help to achieve the goals of economic and social development of the region. The most significant missing link in the grape value chain is the production and processing of the product under a specialized brand. Establishing these processes is essential for attracting foreign markets. Given the high quality of grapes in Hamedan Province and their potential to compete with international products, it is crucial to transform this potential into reality. This requires the development of high-quality processed products to gain a competitive edge and capture market share from competitors.
M.H. Karim; A. Dadras Moghadam; S.M. Hosseini; S.M. Seyedan
Abstract
Introduction and Aim: Agriculture is a risky occupation. The different natural, social, and economic hazards have created handicaps and problems for agricultural producers, which result in the instability of income for producers. In general, the nature and environment of agricultural activities are at ...
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Introduction and Aim: Agriculture is a risky occupation. The different natural, social, and economic hazards have created handicaps and problems for agricultural producers, which result in the instability of income for producers. In general, the nature and environment of agricultural activities are at high risk. The risks of agricultural activities are often associated with low performance, increased cost, and time lag. In order to from the perspective of risk management, studies can be categorized into three types including product hazards, price risks, and natural hazards. Major economies in the rural areas of south Khorasan province is based on the planting and selling three products of barberry, saffron and jujube, which are resistant to water deficit and drought, and at the same time all have the high economic value. This province in Iran accounts for about 96 to 98% of the barberry and jujube production. Therefore, this study aims to examine the factors affecting the barberry and jujube production in the South Khorasan province, Iran. .Materials and Methods: Genetic function approximation (GFA) algorithm describes the basic problem of approximating the function. Many factors affect the response variable and primary input correlated with best response. The GFA algorithm works with a range of strings called population, developed for the purpose of searching. The selection, crossover, and mutation operators also run appropriately. New members were given scores according to the estimator’s criteria. In the GFA, the criteria scoring is obtained for fitted regression models. The selection probabilities should add each new member to the population again. This method continued for a specified number of generations until the point of convergence. GFA algorithm can be used to produce a generation with respect to the evolution charts according to the achieved time. This graph shows the number of events for each variable about the population, which has evolved for each generation. GFA algorithm converges as no progress in population occurred. At this time, the model is significant which means the best choice for all models of population. Using GFA and MS modeling software, modeling is used to identify the factors affecting the knowledge of barberry and jujube producers in order to determine which one of 15 independent variables were effective on the risk management information of barberry and juvenile producers in South Khorasan province.Results and Discussion: The results showed that frostbite risk had the lowest risk, affecting the risk index of barberry producers. Awareness of hail hazards exerted the greatest effect on the risk index of jujube producers in south Khorasan region. The least effective factor was the awareness of fire hazards in the jujube gardens.Conclusion: The results suggest that most jujube and barberry producers use traditional knowledge and experience and do not acquire the necessary training that are needed for dealing with natural hazards due to poor knowledge and non-compliance with the principles of agricultural education in dealing with hazards. Therefore, it is recommended that the system of agricultural extension and education and agricultural meteorology must have been improved the knowledge of the farmers' risk management and skills in the southern Khorasan region by presenting appropriate training programs to address these risks (drought, , storm, sudden precipitation, etc.). Accordingly, the information and promotion system, accompanied with appropriate training in relation to new innovations, will increase the awareness among the male and female producers and government support should be taken in this area. So producers can use modern methods for better managing natural hazards in the Jujube and Barberry gardens of South Khorasan province.
