Extension of Basic Preparation Pattern to Control against Frost (Homaijan Region, Sepiedan City, Fars Province)

مجله اقتصاد و توسعه کشاورزی

Article 5, Volume 26, Issue 1, April 2012   

Document Type: Research Article

DOI: 10.22067/jead2.v1391i1.14103

Authors

Z. Fozouni Ardekani^{* 1}; M. Shahvali²

¹Dept. of Agricultural Extension & Education, College of Agriculture, Shiraz University

²Dept. of Agricultural Extension & Education, College of Agriculture, Shiraz University

Abstract

In the recent decade, to ajust the process of agricultural products to ongoing changes, farmers need to structure their plans. The structured plans emphasized mainly on the importance of wise decision-making of farmers. Climate change is one of the most important changes. To define effective strategies to deal with these changes, recognition of decision-making behaviors of farmers about producing agricultural products as well as identification of obstacles and affecting factors are required. Frost is an issue associated with climate change that damaged a huge area of the gardens of Fars province and Sepiedan in the recent years. Due to a sudden decrease in temperature in the growing season, the sensitive organs of a plant were injured and damaged. Thus far, this phenomenon has caused a lot of damage to garden products of Sepiedan city where is located in the Homaijan region. The city has a very cold weather and was known for having the highest rank of frost among the coldest cities of Fars province. This study used a qualitative method and exploratory case study to explore farmers ‘decisions as well as factors that influence the defined decisions techniques of “archival research”, “interview” and “focus group interview” were used to collect the study data. Validity of study was confirmed by expert professors. Results showed that farmers ‘ decisions under frost condition were affected by the five structural elements including "Demographic", "Cognitive", "Network and Group", "Awareness - Trainig - Learning" and " evaluation of the consequences of information and decisions". Ultimately, based on a Preparation Pattern, the study suggests some solutions to protect the study gardens against frost.

Keywords

Agricultural; Decision-making; Frost; Preparation pattern; Homaijan region of Fars province