Analyzing Sustainability Factors of Wheat Cultivation Systems in Fars Province

مجله اقتصاد و توسعه کشاورزی

Article 5, Volume 24, Issue 2, July 2010   

Document Type: Research Article

DOI: 10.22067/jead2.v1389i2.3932

Authors

Kh. Kalantari^* ; A. Asadi; H. Shabanali Fami; A. Arabiun

Tehran University

Abstract

Sustainability of wheat farming systems depends on various ecological, economic and social factors. Identifying these factors can be most effective to formulating sustainable agricultural analysis policies and strategies. According to this, the purpose of this paper is to identify sustainability factors of wheat cultivation system in Fars province. Statistical population of this research includes all wheat farmers of Fars province. Sample was selected by using multi stage random sampling method and questionnaire was used for data gathering. Validity of questionnaire confirmed by selected experts and researchers of agricultural development, and Coronbach Alpha coefficient (0.77 to 0.94) was used to confirm its reliability. According to descriptive finding of the study on average irrigated farm land for each landholder was 10.29 ha, With 6.23 ha, allocated to wheat cultivation, annually. On average production per hectare were 6.84 ton and average annual income of each wheat farmer was 120 million Rails. From the view point of landholding system 30.34 percent of the farmers are small landholding. About 88.57 percent of farmers were owner of the farm, 22.65 percent have continuous in cultivation and 67.52 percent have rotational farming in wheat cropping. In total 80.3 percent of farmers do not have sufficient professitional knowledge and 90 percent of them do not enjoy an appropriate agricultural support services. In respect of social participation, 55.6 percent of them are in intermediate level and 67.5 percent do not have sufficient satisfaction from agricultural activities. The results of factor analysis showed that, 5 factors of ecological sustainable cultivation activities, Agricultural extension service, social and participation situation and economic factor explained 72.56 percent of sustainability of wheat cultivation system in Fars province

Keywords

Sustainable agriculture; Agricultural development; Wheat cultivation system; Fars province