Analysis of Sustainable Water Resources Management (SWRM) in Agriculture

The purpose of this research was analysis Sustainable Water Resources Management (SWRM) in agriculture of Khouzestan Province of Iran. The research method was quantitative research. Total population of experts in the study included all agricultural extension experts (N=96) of Agricultural-Jihad Organization of Khuzestan Province, Iran. Based on frequency of respondents about importance rate of supportive policies regarding SWRM in agriculture, 70.8% of respondents stated that encouraging farmers for using sustainable methods had very high importance. In reference to the frequency of respondents about extension system roles on realization of SWRM dimensions in agriculture, 52.8% of respondents stated conservation of water resources had very high importance for supporting SWRM in agriculture

Analyze of Predictive Model of Innovation Management in Processing and Complementary Industries of Livestock Products

The purpose of this study was designing predictive model for innovation management in processing and complementary industries of livestock products. The method of research was correlative descriptive. The population of this research was managers in processing and complementary industries of livestock products of Khouzestan Province (N=486). By stratified random sampling, a random sample (n=125) was selected for participation in the study. A questionnaire was developed to gather data regarding Innovation Management in processing and complementary industries of livestock products. Data collected were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). According to the results, the innovation management level in processing and complementary industries of Khuzestan province is not desirable. Therefore, practitioners should be required to provide increasing levels of innovation management. Results showed that variables such as income, competitiveness, accountability, risk taking, tend to be creative, level of education and attitude to innovation management played a critical role in improving innovation management

Social and economic factors for the adoption of biological control of Bracon parasitoid on corn Caradrina in Dezful Township, Khouzestan Province, Iran

The purpose of this study was to analyze the social and economic factors involved in the adoption of the  biological control of Bracon parasitoid on corn Caradrina in Dezful Township, Khouzestan province, Iran. The  method of research was causal comparative. A random sample of corn farmers from Dezful Township of  Khouzestan province, Iran (n=350) was selected for participation in this study. A questionnaire was developed to gather information regarding the adopted biological control of Caradrina by Braconidae in corn farms located in Dezful Township of Khouzestan province. The results of the t-test showed that there is a significant  difference between level of education, income, crop yield, farm size, mechanization level and participation in extension classes by adopters and non-adopters of biological control. The Mann Whitney U test (MW) showed significant differences between farmers’ awareness, attitude and access to information of adopters and  non-adopters. Regression model indicated that the overall predictive power of the model (72.7%) is quite high, while the significant Chi square (p<0.05) is indicative of the strength of the joint effect of the covariates on the probability of adoption among farmers in the zone. The results also showed that the decision on the application of biological control is determined by the educational level, income, mechanization level, extension activities, biological control awareness, social participation, attitude toward biological control and access to information sources which have significant influence.Key words: Adoption, Caradrina, Braconidae, corn farmers

Ahmad Reza Ommani. Strategies for Retaining Youth in Rural Communities

Abstract: The identify factors affecting on migration youths to urban centers is very important to rural program development. For develop strategies that attract and keep youth in rural communities, reasons youth migrate to urban centers must be closely examined and identified. The research method employed was correlativedescriptive. The population consisted rural youth in Shoushtar township of Khuzestan province in Iran. A random sample of rural youths (n=360) was selected. Data collected were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Appropriate statistical procedures for description (frequencies, percent, means, and standard deviations) were used. The main result of the study revealed that top reasons by youth for moving to urban centre including: employment, education, family-related and to get away. Also the top eight strategies for retaining youth to rural communities were: Improve career opportunities, Provide work experience opportunities , Improve opportunities for education after high school, Improve opportunities for social activities, Improve access to amenities, Promote the advantages of rural living, establishment of youth advisory committees establishment of youth priorities for local government, Promote youth involvement in community decision making. From a development perspective, the youth are the future for any country and the world. The potential of youth to transform rural communities needs to be recognized, especially in developing countries where the majority of citizens depend on agriculture as a source of livelihood. If rural development is to be sustainable, the rural youth need to be brought in the mainstream of the development process, no matter whether the development initiatives come from the public or private sector. Rural development in the long-term depends on how the youth are prepared to cope with the challenges they are likely to face as rural citizens

Designing a model to empower the educational system performance of agricultural vocational schools

This research aimed to compare the perspective of trainers and trainees at agricultural vocational schools in Iran regarding the empowerment of the educational system. It is an applied study in orientation, a hypothesis-testing study in goal, and a comparative causal study in strategy. Data were collected with a researcher-made questionnaire. The statistical population was composed of all trainers and trainees of the agricultural vocational schools in the 2020-2021 educational year amounting to 1119 trainees and 120 trainers, out of whom 169 trainees were sampled by simple randomisation and 120 trainers were sampled by the consensus method to participate in the research. The data were analysed in the Smart PLS3 and SPSS version 23 software packages. In addition to the descriptive statistics, the construct validity and the fit of the model were determined by confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modelling. The management process, the educational process, curriculum content, technical teacher training, and the supply of space, equipment, and technology have positive and significant effects on the empowerment of the educational system at the agricultural vocational schools in both the trainers' and trainees’ groups. The empowerment of the educational system at agricultural vocational schools is effective in achieving quality assurance in the educational system and subsequently, improving its quality continuously. This paper contributes to developing a theoretical framework by considering the dimensions and components underpinning an empowering educational system. This study is the first attempt to compare the perspective of trainers and trainees about an empowering educational system in agricultural vocational schools. The study provides a framework in which special attention is paid to the empowerment of the educational system at these schools so that the managers and trainers can work with more authority and play a role in improving the educational system of the agricultural vocational schools

Social, Economic and Farming Characteristics Affecting Perception of Rural Youths Regarding the Appropriateness of a Career in Production Agriculture

Abstract: The main objective of this article is to present the results of a study done about analysis the social, economic and farming characteristics affecting on perception of rural youths of Shoushtar Township, Khouzestan Province of Iran regarding the appropriateness of a career in production agriculture. The research design was a descriptive method. Rural youths of Shoushtar Township were the target population for this study. A random Sample of rural youths selected (n=360). Data collected were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Appropriate statistical procedures for description (frequencies, percent, means, and standard deviations and spearman coefficient of correlation) were used. The main result of the study revealed that overall rural youths tended to disagree and strongly disagree about appropriateness of a career in production agriculture and there exist correlation between the crop yield, income, land ownership, and mechanization with level of perception of rural youths of Shoushtar Township regarding appropriateness of a career in production agriculture were significantly positive. Income, Social participation, Mechanization level, Perception of rural youths' awareness with respect to agricultural practices and Crop yield may well explain for 79% changes (R 2 =0.790) in perception of rural youths regarding appropriateness of a career in production agriculture

Development of Entrepreneurship in Complementary and Processing Industries in Khouzestan Province, Iran

The main purpose of this study was to identify and analyze factors affecting development of entrepreneurship in complementary and processing industries of citrus products at Khouzestan province, Iran. The Statistical population of this study consisted of all managers in processing and complementary industries of citrus products in Khouzestan province (N=89). By census method all managers were selected for participation in the study. Return rate was 84% (N=75). The main instrument in this study was questionnaire which its validity was confirmed by a panel of experts and its reliability was established by calculating Cronbach Alpha Coefficient (α=0.87). Findings reveal that there were positive and significant relationship between willingness to creativity, risk oriented, responsibility, competitiveness, participation on education programs, attitude to entrepreneurship, income level, educational level and level of entrepreneurship. According to factor analysis, factors affecting development of entrepreneurship in complementary and processing industries were categorized into four groups consisting: development of cognitive and psychomotor domains, development of infrastructure equipments, improving economic policies and development of psychological characteristics that those factors explained 68.82% of the total variance of the research variables

Ahmad Reza Ommani. Favorable Content of Sustainable Agriculture Extension Programs In Khouzestan Province of Iran

Abstract: The purpose of research was identify favorable content of sustainable agriculture extension programs in Khouzestan province of Iran. A sample of 79 respondents was selected through simple random sampling technique. A survey study was applied as a methodology of research work. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that addressed to evaluate agricultural extension experts' responses regarding the necessity of attention on each extension system content to accomplish sustainable agriculture in Khouzestan province of Iran. For determining the validity of questionnaire, the face and content validity was used. Cronbach's alpha was used to measure reliability of the instrument, which was 0.80 and showed the instrument reliability. Descriptive findings revealed that "Food security", "Integrated management", "Biological control practices", "Quality of crops" and "Conservation practices" were the first contents for extension system toward sustainability, respectively. According to factor analysis, the contents of extension system for supporting of sustainable agriculture were categorized into three main components, which have been named Natural conservation, Human health and Economic contents. The obtained results from the factor analysis revealed that the three mentioned factors explained 75.231% of the variation of extension content for supporting of sustainable agriculture in agriculture

Analyze of Predictive Model of Innovation Management in Processing and Complementary Industries of Livestock Products

The purpose of this study was designing predictive model for innovation management in processing and complementary industries of livestock products. The method of research was correlative descriptive. The population of this research was managers in processing and complementary industries of livestock products of Khouzestan Province (N=486). By stratified random sampling, a random sample (n=125) was selected for participation in the study. A questionnaire was developed to gather data regarding Innovation Management in processing and complementary industries of livestock products. Data collected were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). According to the results, the innovation management level in processing and complementary industries of Khuzestan province is not desirable. Therefore, practitioners should be required to provide increasing levels of innovation management. Results showed that variables such as income, competitiveness, accountability, risk taking, tend to be creative, level of education and attitude to innovation management played a critical role in improving innovation management

Development of Entrepreneurship in Complementary and Processing Industries in Khouzestan Province, Iran

The main purpose of this study was to identify and analyze factors affecting development of entrepreneurship in complementary and processing industries of citrus products at Khouzestan province, Iran. The Statistical population of this study consisted of all managers in processing and complementary industries of citrus products in Khouzestan province (N=89). By census method all managers were selected for participation in the study. Return rate was 84% (N=75). The main instrument in this study was questionnaire which its validity was confirmed by a panel of experts and its reliability was established by calculating Cronbach Alpha Coefficient (α=0.87). Findings reveal that there were positive and significant relationship between willingness to creativity, risk oriented, responsibility, competitiveness, participation on education programs, attitude to entrepreneurship, income level, educational level and level of entrepreneurship. According to factor analysis, factors affecting development of entrepreneurship in complementary and processing industries were categorized into four groups consisting: development of cognitive and psychomotor domains, development of infrastructure equipments, improving economic policies and development of psychological characteristics that those factors explained 68.82% of the total variance of the research variables