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Achieving sustainable development is one of the most important agricultural resources. Therefore, the overall purpose of this study is to investigate the factors affecting farmers' desire to change the cultivation pattern to cultivation of medicinal plants. The research method is allowed as a field-library. After determining the variables through questionnaires and software SPSS. The statistical population of this study is rural producers in Targabah district in Khorasan Razavi Province in Iran. The statistical sample for this study was 204 rural households. The sample was calculated using random sampling based on Cochran formula. The results show that the farmers' desire to change the cultivation pattern to cultivation of medicinal plants has a significant positive correlation with its level of economic, social, technical and environmental awareness. Also, it has a significant and positive relationship with his understanding of the production of medicinal plants which can enhance the protection of the environment. The results of the diagnostic analysis showed that the level of economic awareness and awareness of processing plants and product packaging can affect the farmers' desire to change the cultivation pattern to cultivation of medicinal plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the recent years chemical control of weeds has become a dominant method of weed control. The heavy use of these chemicals has had a negative impact on the environment and human health. So this study tries to investigate the analysis paddy farmers' knowledge about integrated weed management (IWM) in Iran. The study was done by a descriptive-surveying method that including field and documentary data. The population of the study consisted of selected Dooreh - CHegeni farmers that cultivation wheat and rice together. Sample population was selected by using the Cochran formula (n=198). The main instrument used in this study was a questionnaire. The validity of research tool was obtained by the idea of experts and for reliability of questionnaires a pilot test was conducted. The Cronbach' Alpha coefficient of higher than 0.7 showed that research tool was reliable (learning style (0.818), economic characteristic (0.700) and social characteristic (0.723) respectively). The result of correlation analysis showed that the variables such as: belief in discussion with other farmers about sustainable weed management, the importance of dialogue and implement the recommendations of experts, quality and quantity of extension programs, attitude towards the impact of SWM (Sustainable Weed Management) on healthy crop production and farmers 'attitude toward the effects of this type of management on increasing production has a significant effect on farmers' awareness of integrated weed management in the field The results also showed that farmers' use of appropriate seed (weed-free) and farmers' appropriate attitude toward discussion with other farmers about integrated weed management in the field is the most important variable could be predicted the rice farmers' knowledge of IWM(Integrated Weed Management) in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Development is a process involving major changes in social structures, popular attitudes of the people, national institutions, accelerating economic growth, reducing inequalities and eradicating absolute poverty. Social development is one of the four dimensions of sustainable development. Direct and indirect impacts of the social development can affect the other dimensions of sustainable development. Hence, it is important to understand the factors affecting social development. The aim of this study was to investigate the social development of rural women by ICTs processes in rural areas. The statistical population of this study consisted of 5018 women that have been lived in rural areas in Shahreza Township in Iran, to be using Cochran formula, 190 rural women selected and the satisfied random sampling used for select of samples. This study was conducted to examine the validity of the questionnaire using Cronbach's Alpha Coefficients for the different sectors after a preliminary study for each of the indices greater than 0.7 were calculated separately. Regression analysis results obtained show that the three variables: rural women's economic independence, awareness about ICT services and the amount use of the ICT services that provided for rural women by rural ICT offices, entered in the regression analysis and explain 59% of the variable affect the social development of rural women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]