Irrigation with municipal wastewater as a suitable solution for safflower cultivation in arid regions

In order to study the effect of different manure and chemical fertilizer levels on qualitative and quantitative characteristics of safflower in the condition of irrigation with municipal wastewater, an experiment was conducted as split plot basis of randomized complete design in Lakhshah region locate in Zahedan city, Iran. The treatments were comprised of two levels of irrigation, W1= Well water and W2= Treated wastewater, in main plots and sub plots consisted of F1: control (without consumption of manure and chemical fertilizer), F2: Recommended manure, F3: Half of recommended manure and chemical fertilizer (N, P and K), and F4: Recommended chemical fertilizer (N, P and K). The results showed that Treatment of treated wastewater had a positive and significant influence on all yield components, and the most influence was shown on 1000 seed weight. Also, irrigation with wastewater significantly increases the dry and fresh yield and grain yield of safflower than ordinary water. Among the fertilizer treatments, complete treatment of chemical fertilizer N, P and K had the greatest effect on increase of yield and grain yield components. In this experiment, water treatment hadn’t significant effect on accumulation of Cr, pb, Fe and Mn in safflower grain, and soil. While, fertilizer treatment had only a significant influence on the accumulation of Fe and Mn in safflower grain, but between these treatments wasn’t saw any significant difference on the accumulation of Cr and pb. In general, the results of this experiment showed that irrigation with wastewater and application of complete fertilizer with manure is recommended

Evaluation of comparative advantage on production and export of saffron

With due attention to facilities, and different potentials and sources in agriculture of Torbat Heydarieh city, this region is suitable for cultivation and production of saffron. In this study comparative advantage of saffron production in Torbat Heydarieh investigated using DRC index and policy analysis matrix (PAM) during 2012-13. Also in this study evaluated comparative advantage of saffron export using RCA and RSCA index. The Results showed that saffron production in Torbat Heydarieh has a comparative advantage. According to the NPC price index is higher than market price and so producers benefited from subsidies and market support. According to the EPC standard, government interventions has a positive effect on production of this crop, so was supported from input and production markets this crop. In result, NSP index was positive in all sectors. Results of these two indexes showed that Iran, Spain and Greece had preferences on export relative advantage in the world during 2004-2012. While value added of Iran saffron export is not considerable, therefore, for improving this condition, joining Iran to the WTO in order to reduce tariffs on exports, paying more attention in marketing and supplying necessary facilities such as foreign exchange support in the country was suggested

Pricing strategies of saffron: strategic factors analytical

Saffron is considered as an important crop for farmers of the Khorasan Razavi province due to the ability to create high employment and generate appropriate income. Problems of saffron producers in marketing and export has caused this product not to be in a good position in the world market despite its high quality. Therefore, the study of marketing mix as one of the most important factors affecting marketing of saffron in the region seems to be necessary. In order to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of marketing mix of saffron, a strategic factor analysis approach was used in this study. The required information was collected through face-to-face interviews and completing a questionnaire with managers and experts of saffron producing and exporting companies in Mashhad and Torbat Heydarieh cities in 2015. To investigate the validity of the questionnaire, the questionnaires were reviewed by supervisors and consultants and several experts. At first, some initial questions were completed and using the Cronbach's alpha method, the reliability coefficient was 0.79. The results of the internal factor matrix showed that the weaknesses overcome the strength and, according to the results of external factors matrix, the points of opportunity are superior to the threat. The results of the study showed that the increase in the value added due to saffron processing with a score of 0.57 and export value with a score of 0.54 are the most important strength and low purchase price of farmers with a score of 0.13 and a lack of knowledge of the price of competitors with a score of 0.11 are the most important weaknesses in marketing mix price. Also, the export of the product with different qualities based on the financial ability of target customers with a score of 0.32 and price determination based on the competitive and economic environment with 0.23 are most significant opportunities, and the volatility of the exchange rate with a score of 0.4 and a price fluctuation in the export market with a score of 0.36 are the most important current threats of saffron marketing. The general results obtained from the status analysis matrix indicate that the saffron processing factor strategies are defensive. Therefore, according to the results, the strategies of establishing a regional exchange market for saffron and long-term control of prices in export markets with the aim of paying attention to pricing and fair purchase are suggested

An Optimization Model for Kardeh Reservoir Operation Using Interval-Parameter, Multi-stage, Stochastic Programming

The present study investigates water allocation of Kardeh Reservoir to domestic and agricultural users using an Interval Parameter, Multi-stage, Stochastic Programming (IMSLP) under uncertainty. The advantages of the method include its dynamics nature, use of a pre-defined policy in its optimization process, and the use of interval parameter and probability under uncertainty conditions. Additionally, it offers different decision-making alternatives for different scenarios of water shortage. The required data were collected from Khorasan Razavi Regional Water Organization and from the Water and Wastewater Co. for the period 1988-2007. Results showed that, under the worst conditions, the water deficits expected to occur for each of the next 3 years will be 1.9, 2.55, and 3.11 million cubic meters for the domestic use and 0.22, 0.32, 0.75 million cubic meters for irrigation. Approximate reductions of 0.5, 0.7, and 1 million cubic meters in the monthly consumption of the urban community and enhanced irrigation efficiencies of about 6, 11, and 20% in the agricultural sector are recommended as approaches for combating the water shortage over the next 3 years

Developing management strategies in the saffron institute of the university of Torbat heydariyeh

The purpose of this study is to designing the strategic plans of the Saffron institute of the university of Torbat-e Heydarieh. The research method is analytical–descriptive. The size of the statistical sample for this research was n=50 including, principal and associate principal of the university and the institute, staff, professors and experienced researchers who were selected by purposive sampling. Review of literature, study of documents, interviews, questionnaire, surveys, forms for determining strategic issues and strategic meetings were used for collecting data. The validity of the SWOT questionnaire was approved by several professors of sport management and experts and the reliability was confirmed according to Cronbach's alpha (α=0.91). For analyzing the data, descriptive statistics, Friedman test, Internal and External factor matrixes, SWOT analysis based on intuition and brainstorming were used for developing strategies. The results of this research showed saffron institute, university of Torbat-e Heydarieh has 7 strengths, 18 weaknesses, 7 opportunities, and 11 threats. Accordingly, subjects such as mission statements, vision statements, and long – terms objectives, core values, strategic situation, strategies and plans were determined. In addition, the analysis of internal and external matrix showed that this office is located in the Weakness-Opportunities (WO) position

Use planning objective in determining optimal cropping pattern in the central city Torbat Heidarieh

Giving the importance to management of agricultural units, politics decision based on cultivation method containing the goals  priority of agricultural units will get important and selecting a method which can include variety of managers goals and guide them to optimum goals is so important and serious.Therefore, in this study to determine the optimum model using linear programming method (single goal) and planning CGP (Multi choice goal) have placed. Information required through completing 188 questionnaires from farmers functions two-stage cluster sampling Torbat-of-classified to 1394, respectively. The results showed that the cultivation of wheat to the primary level increased and decreased alfalfa product. Barley in small and medium-scale crop farms and large farms without change to the primary level has increased and sugar beet in small-scale farms and in the fields of medium and large scale increase is unchanged means pattern is removed. The cotton crop in small farms and farms of medium and large scale unchanged compared to the initial level decrease

Investigating the Effect of Membership in the Agricultural Production Cooperatives Regarding Cropping Pattern Sustainability

This study determined the optimum model using linear programming model (single objective) and planning Lexico and CGP (multi-objective) and discussed the optimum model by using the method of choice in normal use genetic algorithms. Information required through a questionnaire which were completed by 270 (down villages provinces) farmers in the Torbat-e Heydarieh Township. A two-stage cluster sampling was executed. The results of comparing changes in the land acreage of farmers, agricultural cooperatives can be inferred members and non-member farmers' cooperatives in agriculture, generally lower than cropping pattern changes are sustainable, Therefore,  it can be concluded that membership in agricultural cooperatives due to the cropping pattern with the objective of sustainable agriculture cropping pattern and water efficiency is appropriate in order to extend and expand the facility to recruit farmers to non-agricultural cooperatives was recommended

Estimation of greenhouse unit’s efficiency for planning sustainable culture pattern (The case study: Zabol city, Iran)

Iran due to specific climatic conditions and water restriction is a country that requires substantial revision in the structure of culture and development; in this regard greenhouse cultivation can be presented as a suitable way. In this study the technical efficiency units of cucumber greenhouse in Zabol and the following sections were calculated using data envelopment analysis and application of linear programming models. Data needed to complete the study questionnaire 42 cucumbers greenhouse units were collected in the city of Zabol. Results showed that the average efficiency of Zabol city was equal to 71 percent. Technical efficiency was estimates equal to one for 38 percent of the greenhouses, too. Greenhouse technical efficiency in subsectors of Zabol (Shibab, central, Miankangi and Postab) was 88, 81, 64, 50 percent, respectively