Modeling the Farmers’ Psychological Empowerment Indicators in Mazandaran Province, Iran

مجله اقتصاد و توسعه کشاورزی

Article 9, Volume 26, Issue 4, January 2013, Pages 307-314   

Document Type: Research Article

DOI: 10.22067/jead2.v1391i4.19899

Author

M. Charmchian Langerodi^*

Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Islamic Azad University, Sari Branch

Abstract

During recent years the concept of farmer empowerment has been considered as an important part of many development organizations’ and NGOs’ policies for supporting agricultural and rural development. The overall goal of this study was modeling the farmers’ psychological empowerment indicators in Mazandaran province, Iran. To achieve this goal, farmers’ psychological empowerment indicators and affecting factors on farmers’ empowerment were identified in Mazandaran province. The statistical population included 1368233 farmers living in the Mazandaran province, Iran. The sample size was determined using Cochran’s formula. Stratified sampling with proportional allocation was used in this study. Research methodology applied in this study was a combination of descriptive-analytical and quantitative methods. To run the appropriate analyses, SPSS and LISREL softwares were employed. Cronbach’s alpha and ordinal theta were 0.91 and 0.91 respectively. The mean of farmers’ age and their farming experiences were respectively 49.31 and 25.58 years. 22 percent of farmers’ psychological empowerment variance was determined through four factors of farmers’ loan sources, solutions (positive factors), training methods and obstacles. The bank was found the primary source of loan fund for farmers. Among the solutions (positive factors), providing credits and loans to farmers was the most important in the farmers’ psychological empowerment in Mazandaran province. Low literacy level was found the main obstacle in empowering farmers. Participating in farmer field school was found the most useful method to empower the farmers.

Keywords

Psychological Empowerment indicators; farmers; Mazandaran