Agricultural Economics
Masomeh bahadori; Bita Rahimi Badr; Alireza Nikouei; Rooya Eshraghi Samani
Abstract
Extended AbstractThe seed control and certification process is considered as a key tool to confirm the quality of the produced seeds. Considering the unique position of wheat in the agricultural and consumption system of the country, this process plays a special role in the sustainability of healthy ...
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Extended AbstractThe seed control and certification process is considered as a key tool to confirm the quality of the produced seeds. Considering the unique position of wheat in the agricultural and consumption system of the country, this process plays a special role in the sustainability of healthy seed production and food security. The present study investigated factors affecting the development of the wheat seed control system and identified the most important components affecting it with the aim of designing a conceptual model.The current research used the grounded theory, and analytic network process. The results of the semi-structured interview in the qualitative stage of 20 cereal seed experts led to the identification of 47 concepts, 11 core categories and four broad categories in the form of six core classes of the paradigm model.In the following, a targeted sample was formed to perform pairwise comparisons with eight members of the academic staff specializing in seed control. The validity and reliability of the research was evaluated at the optimal level. Regarding the semantic interpretation of the conceptual model, regulatory factors and government support policies were identified as solutions with positive consequences, improving the quality of wheat seeds and the stability of the seed market.Moreover, the results showed that the quality of seed kernels and balancing the sale price of healthy seeds were more important than the costs of seed production among the components of technical and economic criteria. In addition, the ranking of seed producing units for providing incentive facilities in the top units and supporting the entry of knowledge-based companies in the supply of seed production were among the strategies developed for the development of this process.IntroductionThe seed industry is a growing industry in the world, and the role of processed seeds in increasing the production performance is undeniable. Due to the population growth, the importance of achieving food security is increasing. Healthy seed is one of the important factors in the development of agricultural production. Although agricultural production systems have increased their production, it does not seem to be enough, though. The basic problems of the seed market and insufficient supply of seeds required by farmers have made it necessary to identify samples of seed quality development. The current research was the first research at the national level dealing with the design of a conceptual model for the development of control and certification of wheat seeds using the grounded theory method and prioritization of effective factors.Materials and MethodsThis research had a fundamental-applicative goal and was applied in two stages. In the first stage, after designing the interview questions, the grounded theory was carried out in three stages of open, central, and selective coding using a systematic approach in order to design a conceptual model. After designing the paradigm model and identifying the factors affecting the development of seed control and certification, the prioritization of the components was done including technical, social, economic and structural criteria using analytic network process.Results and DiscussionAfter analyzing the interviews, 140 initial codes were identified and the initial codes were reduced to 94 and then to 47 concepts. In the following parts, 11 core categories including processed seed production standards, laws and regulations, environmental factors, regulatory factors, equipment and technology, stability in the seed market, government support policies, human factors, wheat seed quality, attitude and awareness, and economic infrastructure were identified. The results of prioritization among the four effective criteria on the development of seed certification indicated that the technical criterion was more important than the other three criteria. In terms of the prioritization of the components, the quality of the seed kernel having a weight of 0.49, the performance of the responsible expert having a weight of 0.44, the cost of producing processed seeds having a weight of 0.39 were the first priority of technical, social, and economic criteria. Applying the ranking of production units with a weight of 0.57 and making the seed market competitive with a weight of 0.26 were more important than other components of structural criteria.ConclusionAccording to the results of this study, and the first priority of the technical criterion, it is suggested to monitor the quality of seed kernels and select appropriate farm inspectors. Moreover, in order to strengthen the human resources system, it is recommended to hold continuous courses in the field of seed quality. To implement the solutions of the paradigm model, it is recommended to prevent buying and selling unhealthy seeds and balance the costs of producing and selling processed seeds.