Agricultural Economics
M. Shabanzadeh-Khoshrody; E. Javdan; K. Shemshadi
Abstract
IntroductionDuring the last decade, due to the increase in food prices, the cost of a healthy diet in Iran has greatly increased. Although the government's support policies have aimed at improving the living conditions of households, but the cost and income information of the Iranian Statistics Center ...
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IntroductionDuring the last decade, due to the increase in food prices, the cost of a healthy diet in Iran has greatly increased. Although the government's support policies have aimed at improving the living conditions of households, but the cost and income information of the Iranian Statistics Center shows that due to inflationary conditions and its impact on real income and purchasing power of consumers, these programs have not had the necessary effect in reducing poverty and food insecurity. Reducing poverty and increasing the food security index is a requirement for independent countries like Iran. In this regard, knowing the current situation of poverty, food insecurity and factors influencing it, is not only the main condition for preparing future plans, but is necessary to continue this work with the aim of monitoring and evaluating the results of implemented plans and actions. Materials and MethodsIn the present study, the spatial distribution of poverty and food insecurity in the urban areas of Iran in 1401 has been investigated and then the factors affecting food insecurity have been identified. In order to achieve these goals, the nutritional performance matrix was drawn and calculated per capita calories in 1401 using the household income-expenditure information of Iran Statistics Center. The Aggregate Household Food Security Index (AHFSI) and the Foster, Greere and Thorbeke (FGT) poverty index were calculated and based on these indices, the spatial distribution of poverty and food insecurity in urban areas of Iran was analyzed. Finally, the impact of economic and demographic variables on food insecurity was analyzed in the framework of the logit model. Results and DiscussionAccording to the results, the urban areas of the country are in low food security conditions; so that, only 45% of people have food security and about 55% of the residents of urban areas are either facing food insecurity or are on the border of food insecurity. On the other hand, the per capita calorie intake in the urban areas of the country is 2540 kcal, and generally these calories are supplied from cereals. In addition, there is inequality in the intake of calories in different provinces of the country, and the average intake of calories varies between 1988-3196 kcal among the provinces. Examining the status of food poverty indicators also shows that the average head count, gap and intensity of poverty in urban areas are 55.1%, 15.2% and 6% respectively. Based on these indicators, it can be said that 55.1% of the population of the urban areas of the country had food poverty in 1401 and the calorie intake of the poor households in these areas was 15.2% less than the minimum required daily calories; therefore, to eliminate poverty, the caloric intake of poor households should be increased by 15.2%. Finally, the results of the logit model estimation showed that the variables of age, employment status, working hours of the head of the household, subsidy, income and food diversity have a positive and significant effect on the food security of the households, but the Family size has a negative effect on the food security. In addition, the two variables gender and literacy of the head of the household did not have a significant effect on the food security in urban areas of Iran. ConclusionIn this regard, although the long-term solution is to increase household purchasing power, stabilize and reduce commodity prices through strengthening production and supply, but in the short-term, increasing salaries and wages in line with the inflation rate and increasing social support programs for the low income deciels and weak society should be taken into consideration. In other words, income policies that can directly or indirectly increase the level of income and thus the purchasing power of the household, can be considered as a scientific and effective solution for food security. Moreover, the social support and poverty alleviation programs should be targeted and applied according to the needs and deficiencies in different geographical, demographic and income conditions. Finally, it should be acknowledged that improving the nutritional literacy of households can increase the nutritional knowledge and awareness of households, and therefore, by improving the variety and quality of the food they consume, it can lead to an increase in food security in urban areas of Iran.
O. Javanbakht; S. Esmaili
Abstract
Considering the clarification of negative effects of chemical medicine on human beings, tendency to use herbal medicine has been increasing. Herbal medicines provide an important alternative to health the conventional medicines. The combination therapy, using both herbal medicine and conventional medicine, ...
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Considering the clarification of negative effects of chemical medicine on human beings, tendency to use herbal medicine has been increasing. Herbal medicines provide an important alternative to health the conventional medicines. The combination therapy, using both herbal medicine and conventional medicine, caused the herbal medicine to become more important than ever before. The present study examines the individual preferences for different herbal medicines. The data was obtained from questionnaires filled in by respondents selected through random sampling from citizens of Tabriz city in the year 2011. A Logit model was estimated. The results showed that a direct relationship between individuals' awareness about therapeutic effects of herbal medicines and their consumption exists. Furthermore, women's tendency to consume herbal medicines was more than men. In addition, the people around the ages of 45 to 50 years showed fewer tendencies to consume herbal medicines whereas the consumption increases after the age 50. In conclusion, raising people awareness about therapeutic effects of herbal medicines not only improve the general health of consumers but raise consumers’ economic power due to less cost of herbal medicine to the chemical medicine.
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.