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.
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. Molaei; M. Kavoosi Kalashami
Abstract
AbstractResearches of preservation valuation of natural resources and environment were done in order to create necessary awareness for making optimal decisions in the field of the ways of economic management of these resources and helping to establish sustainable regional development strategy. In this ...
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AbstractResearches of preservation valuation of natural resources and environment were done in order to create necessary awareness for making optimal decisions in the field of the ways of economic management of these resources and helping to establish sustainable regional development strategy. In this study, preservation value of Lilium ledebourii estimated using single bounded dichotomous choice contingent valuation method. Required data were obtained through face to face survey and gathered from 177 respondents. Results showed that respondent’s willingness to pay is equal to 6540.33 Rials annually using linear functional form and 9675.22 Rials annually for logarithmic functional form. Also, comparing confidence intervals of estimated willingness to pays showed that the estimated WTP using linear model is more precise. Present study can provide proper framework for precise estimation of preservation value through applying different functional forms and precise estimation of WTP, so the estimated WTP shows the importance of preservation of distinct plant varieties. It’s proposed that economic researchers to calculate the level of the significance of WTP in addition to using several functional forms in contingent valuation method. Also, it is proposed to policymakers that it is necessary to pay attention to society’s participation in preserving environment in addition to annual government budget.
S. Paroon; A. Esmaieli
Abstract
The main objective of this research is to estimate non-market (preservation) value of mangrove forest in Hormozgan Province. Non-market value to be obtained by the mean of willing to pay (WTP) for preservation in mangrove forest. Contingent valuation method (CVM) and double dichotomous choice (DDC) questionnaire ...
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The main objective of this research is to estimate non-market (preservation) value of mangrove forest in Hormozgan Province. Non-market value to be obtained by the mean of willing to pay (WTP) for preservation in mangrove forest. Contingent valuation method (CVM) and double dichotomous choice (DDC) questionnaire are used to measure WTP for mangrove forest in Hormozgan Province. Logit model and maximum likelihood methods are used to estimate WTP. The result showed that 92%, of persons beneath to examination in this research, agree to pay for preservation of mangrove forest. The mean of WTP for preservation value of mangrove forest calculated 450000 Rial/person. Non market value of mangrove forest calculated mean of WTP for preserve forest. Finally, the results lend support to calls for greater policy emphasis on conservation of unique and irreplaceable mangrove forest.
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.