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BACKGROUND: The active participation of farmers in adopting eco‐friendly practices is vital to mitigate the environmental and health risks linked to pesticide usage. Farmers' awareness of these risks significantly influences their adoption of integrated pest management (IPM) methods over traditional pesticide applications. This study sought to explore the range of understanding on pesticide effects, categorize IPM strategies employed in pest management, and examine the correlation between knowledge levels and IPM strategy choices. Data was gathered through structured questionnaires from 391 rice farmers in Sari County, Mazandaran province, Northern Iran. RESULTS: Exploratory factor analysis revealed three distinct dimensions of pesticide risk knowledge: personal risk of pesticide, environmental risk of pesticide, and community risk of pesticide. Furthermore, the study identified three primary categories of IPM strategies: high familiarity, intermediate familiarity, and low familiarity. The results of the regression analysis indicated that the personal risk of pesticides (β = 0.556; P < 0.01) and the environmental risk of pesticides (β = 0.262; P < 0.01) are significantly correlated with the adoption of high familiarity IPM strategies. Furthermore, the study revealed that there was no significant statistical evidence to support the notion that different types of pesticide risk knowledge had any influence on the adoption of intermediate and low familiarity strategies. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study imply the critical importance for agricultural extension programs to focus on enhancing farmers' knowledge of pesticide risks and various IPM strategies. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractTo create effective policies for promoting Integrated Pest Management (IPM) it is crucial to comprehend farmers’ attitudes toward IPM. A survey of 306 rice farmers was conducted to assess the perceived advantages and disadvantages of IPM practices and explain variations in perceptions among different groups of farmers. Through factor analysis, the primary advantages and disadvantages of utilizing IPM in farm field were categorized into six factors, namely: low efficacy in pest control, personal drawbacks, weak technical and support services (as disadvantages of IPM), as well as health benefits, cost effectiveness, and social advantages (as advantages of IPM). The cumulative percentage of variance accounted for by these six factors was 71.052%, with 36.78% of the variance stemming from positive aspects and 34.28% from negative aspects of IPM practices. Educated farmers showed a preference for IPM advantages (p < .001), while affluent farmers leaned towards IPM disadvantages (p < .020). Farmers with high rice production prioritized IPM disadvantages (p < .001), with those perceiving pesticides as harmful showing less preference for IPM drawbacks (p < .001). Training recipients favored IPM benefits (p < .000) and less so the drawbacks (p < .013). Farmers at health risk due to pesticides prioritized IPM advantages (p < .030) and lessened emphasis on disadvantages (p < .041). Additionally, farmers implementing IPM practices valued IPM advantages more (p < .000013) and disadvantages less (p < .000004). Using the scale from this research, agricultural extension services can tailor education efforts to emphasize the benefits of IPM practices and how to address their drawbacks, promoting widespread adoption of IPM among farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract For many years, official agricultural policy efforts in Iran have focused on promoting the adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices among farmers. Despite the major advantages of this system for human health and the environment, the adoption rate and implementation of IPM practices at the farm level has been slow. This study explores factors influencing farmers’ behaviour in the use of IPM practices, based on an expanded version of the Social Practice Theory (SPT). A sample of 325 tomato farmers in 30 villages of Golestan province in northeastern Iran participated in the study. The adoption of IPM practices among tomato farmers was less than average. The most common IPM practices adopted by the farmers were some simple and well-known practices such as collection and removal of contaminated parts of the plant and using resistant cultivars. Using factor analysis, four large groups of items were identified as key SPT constructs, i.e. materials (tools, technologies and infrastructure), competences (knowledge, skills, and abilities), meanings (values and commitments) and institutional support (support from government, local institution and market supply chain) for the use of IPM practices. Multiple linear analysis showed that the total effects of materials (β = 0.190), competences (β = 0.214), institutional supports (β = 0.324), education (β = 0.258) and tomato growing income (β=-0.102) on the use of IPM practices were significant. Thus, the SPT framework was found to be a useful tool for explaining farmers’ adoption of IPM practices. Further design of IPM development programs should be based on a holistic approach, which must supply materials, enhance competence and improve commitment of local and national institutions to provide requirements for use of IPM practices at farm level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving the livelihoods of local people has received growing attention during last two decades and is one of the main goals of national government. This research aimed to investigate the effect of migration on the sustainable livelihood of Sistanian immigrant households in the rural area of Golestan province. The research method is a descriptive survey based on a questionnaire. The target population includes 25,000 heads of migrant households from Sistan and Baluchestan province to Golestan province. Using Cochran's formula, 250 persons were selected as the research sample. Samples were selected from 12 counties of Golestan province by multi-stage cluster sampling. Validity of the questionnaire was verified based on expert's view and reliability was confirmed based on the calculation of Cronbach's alpha coefficient. The results of the one sample t-test showed that the natural and financial capital were less than average (inappropriate). The results of investigating livelihood strategies showed that, the most important livelihood strategies are farming, livestock, horticulture, stockpiling forestry resources and being worker. The results of assessing vulnerability trends showed that items such coherence and solidarity of households, income-earning job opportunities, numbers of livestock and poultry, income level and household purchasing power were more important in reducing vulnerability. While items such as inflation and high pollution of air and water were more important in increasing vulnerability. The results of assessing the immigration impacts showed that the economic, natural, cultural-social and service-welfare impacts of immigration were more than average. These results indicate that immigration has led to changes and improvements in the households' life, and expected positive effects such as improved welfare and access to services and employment have been achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this research was to investigate the absorption and integration of rural migrant workers in urban enterprises. This qualitative research was done by descriptive phenomenological method. Data were collected using semi-structured in-depth interviews. The statistical population of the research included rural migrant workers as well as employers and labor market participants in Gorgan. The participants were selected purposefully using convenience and snowball sampling techniques (n=24). The data collection process continued to the level of theoretical saturation and the usefulness threshold of the available information. In addition to content analysis and coding of the findings, Nvivo10 QSR software was used to classify qualitative data and codify the themes that emerged in the interviews. As a result, six conceptual clusters were drawn. A set of indicators related to the absorption of rural migrant workers in urban enterprises was identified at two levels of work environment (30 indicators) and host community (32 indicators). Also, the findings of this research showed that a set of factors at three levels: individual (20 factors), organizational or business environment (24 factors) and social or host community (18 factors) affect the absorption of rural migrant labor in urban enterprises. Therefore, it can be concluded that in addition to individual characteristics, the provision of a favorable working atmosphere as well as integration in the host community is effective in attracting rural migrant workers in urban work environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the involvement of several companies in joint activity, the supply chain is an appropriate object for entrepreneurship. Considering the development of entrepreneurship in the supply chain, it is necessary to provide a conceptual model of the supply chain. In this research, the effective components on the entrepreneurial supply chain are identified and the integrated model of the entrepreneurial supply chain is presented. In terms of the purpose and in terms of data collection, it is qualitative in terms of data collection and in order to collect data from a closed questionnaire and semi - structured interview. Statistical sample of this study consists of 15 experts from university professors, experts and managers of the selected department of dairy industries in Golestan province. In order to analyze data from content analysis and fuzzy Delphi method. Due to the results, trading partners, business partners, uncertainties in demand, change management components, market share growth and productivity dimensions, cloud computing, cloud share growth, macroeconomic dimensions were selected via an average of thresholds among components. According to the findings, special attention to customers, the use of appropriate technology and the use of macroeconomic data in the supply chain leads to the growth and development of the supply chain of dairy industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the involvement of several companies in joint activity, the supply chain is an appropriate object for entrepreneurship. Considering the development of entrepreneurship in the supply chain, it is necessary to provide a conceptual model of the supply chain. In this research, the effective components on the entrepreneurial supply chain are identified and the integrated model of the entrepreneurial supply chain is presented. In terms of the purpose and in terms of data collection, it is qualitative in terms of data collection and in order to collect data from a closed questionnaire and semi - structured interview. Statistical sample of this study consists of 15 experts from university professors, experts and managers of the selected department of dairy industries in Golestan province. In order to analyze data from content analysis and fuzzy Delphi method. Due to the results, trading partners, business partners, uncertainties in demand, change management components, market share growth and productivity dimensions, cloud computing, cloud share growth, macroeconomic dimensions were selected via an average of thresholds among components. According to the findings, special attention to customers, the use of appropriate technology and the use of macroeconomic data in the supply chain leads to the growth and development of the supply chain of dairy industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today, the role of start-ups in the new approach to the modern economy has received much attention. The purpose of this study was to present a model for identifying entrepreneurial opportunities for technology start-ups in agriculture in Northern Provinces of Iran. The statistical population consisted of 318 founders and executives of tech start- ups. Using stratified random sampling method, 130 samples were selected. The data collection tools in this section included a researcher-made questionnaire containing a set of identified markers for effective factors in identifying opportunities. The face and content validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by experts' opinions and its reliability was on firmed by Cronbach's alpha (0.958). The dominant statistical method was structural equation modeling using partial least squares method implemented with Smart PL S software. The results showed that in the process of opportunity recognition, individual capability and previous knowledge on social network and social network on entrepreneurship ecosystem as well as entrepreneurship ecosystem have positive effect on opportunity recognition performance and on opportunity recognition performance on opportunity development, but the impact of prior knowledge and individual capability on the entrepreneurial ecosystem and the impact of the entrepreneurial ecosystem on opportunity development were not confirmed. According to the results, a model has been resented to identify the entrepreneurial opportunity of tech start-ups in agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological control (BC) through the release of BC agents is regarded as a potential strategy for achieving sustainable pest control and provides a way to substantially reduce pesticide use without sacrificing crop yield. Despite all its potential, understanding attitude and intention to use BC still remains low, especially among smallholder farmers. This study explored the extent to which knowledge of the adverse effects of pesticides and two components of the Health Belief Model (i.e., belief in the efficacy of BC and perceived barriers to BC) are related to: (i) farmers' attitude towards BC as a pest control method and (ii) farmers' intention to use BC in the future as a pest management practice. A random sample of 381 citrus farmers from Sari County in Mazandaran Province of Iran was used. The majority of the farmers (71.1%) had a positive attitude towards BC, while 60.1% agreed that they would use BC in the future as a pest management practice. Farmers were not well aware of the adverse effects of pesticides used in citrus fields, such as pyriproxyfen, buprofezin, and chlorpyrifos. Knowledge of the adverse effects of pesticides was not significantly associated with either dependent variable (i.e., belief in the efficacy of BC and perceived barriers to BC). However, farmers who believed in the efficacy of BC as a pest management method were more likely (P < 0.01) to have a positive attitude towards BC, while those who perceived more barriers to BC use were less likely (P < 0.01) to have a positive attitude towards BC. Findings support that (i) the promotion of the BC effectiveness is a worthy goal for providers of extension services for the promotion of BC adoption and (ii) if the perceived barriers to the adoption of BC are overcome, the rate of BC use among farmers would increase. Overall, extension programs aiming only at increasing awareness and knowledge of pesticide impacts may not succeed in promoting BC adoption. Efforts should target farmers' views of BC, promoting farmers’ belief in the efficacy of BC and lessening perceived barriers to BC use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical pesticides have been widely overused by farmers in Iran, but farmers' criteria for pesticide selection and use are not well understood. A field survey of 411 farmers was carried out in Mazandaran, Iran, to study farmers' criteria for selecting and using pesticides in the pest control process and explaining differences in selection criteria among farmers. From a list with a total of 25 criteria, five main groups were identified as key decision criteria for pesticide selection and use, using factor analysis. These groups included: (i) performance and effectiveness criteria, (ii) awareness and information criteria, (iii) technical and operational criteria, (iv) environmental criteria, and (v) financial and accessibility criteria. Performance and effectiveness criteria had the highest importance for farmers when selecting and using pesticides (mean 3.45), followed by financial and accessibility criteria (mean 3.28). Farmers who received training regarding pesticide use (mean 2.23 vs. 1.90) and farmers who had experience with integrated pest management (IPM) practices (mean 2.46 vs. 1.79) tended to consider environmental criteria when selecting and using pesticides. Similarly, farmers who experienced health risks related to working with pesticides (mean 2.0 vs. 1.77), farmers who used protection when spraying (mean 2.58 vs. 1.87), and farmers who knew about natural enemies of pests (mean 2.11 vs. 1.85) tended to consider environmental criteria when selecting and using pesticides. Farmers without off-farm income tended to consider financial and accessibility criteria more than farmers with off-farm income (mean 3.40 vs. 3.18). Farmers with college education favored awareness and information criteria, whereas experienced farmers favored the criteria of performance and effectiveness. Farmers with a high income showed a tendency to prefer performance and effectiveness criteria more than farmers with less income. Farmers who thought that pesticides are hazardous preferred environmental criteria more than farmers who thought that pesticides are not hazardous. Farmers who believed in the effectiveness of alternatives to chemical pest control (e.g., use of biological control, pheromone traps, or cultural control) preferred performance and effectiveness criteria less than farmers who believed no effectiveness or slight effectiveness of alternatives to chemical pest control. The findings provide useful information for better understanding factors affecting farmers' choices of pesticides and for improving future extension courses related to farmers' decisions about pesticide use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Personal protective equipment (PPE) can substantially reduce the risk exposure from pesticide spraying, but compliance is rather low, particularly among small-scale farmers. In this study the connection between farmers' willingness to use PPE in pesticide handling and perceptions of PPE usefulness was examined through a survey of 341 small-scale farmers in Gorgan county of Golestan Province, Iran. Farmers who were not using PPE when working with pesticides were purposively selected to better serve the objective of the study. Multinomial logit regression models were employed to examine differences in farmers' willingness to use PPE in the future. Almost four out of ten farmers (38.1%) showed willingness to use PPE. However, 36.7% of the farmers showed unwillingness and 25.2% were unsure about using PPE. The average score of farmers' perceptions of PPE disadvantages (x = 0.55) was significantly higher than the corresponding score of PPE advantages (x = 0.38). Low availability and high price were considered the most important constraints in PPE use by the majority of farmers (75.4% and 74.8% of the farmers, respectively). Farmers who perceived usefulness of PPE, such as effectiveness, safety, and ease of use, were more willing to use PPE in the future. Those who perceived non-usefulness of PPE, driven by unavailability, high price, lack of use by neighbors or colleagues, and ignorance of PPE in extension trainings, were less likely to use PPE in the future. Findings revealed that willingness to use PPE among small-scale farmers when working with pesticides is strongly linked to their perception of PPE usefulness. Findings raise our understanding of the important role of farmers' knowledge in PPE acceptance and use and can motivate policy-makers to pay more attention to the role of farmers' perceptions and awareness in the success or failure of health and safety programs. It is necessary to incorporate farmers' preferences in extension programs to promote safety measures during working with pesticides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Integrated pest management (IPM) is recognized as a sustainable approach to pest control. However, adoption rates among farmers in Iran have been observed to be low. This study investigates the adoption of IPM practices among citrus farmers in Iran and assesses the applicability of the protection motivation theory (PMT) in explaining farmers' behavior towards IPM., Results: Overall, farmers reported poor levels of IPM use, paying attention only to monitoring practices among the three groups of IPM practices examined (prevention, monitoring, and suppression). The perceived severity of the consequences of chemical pest control (β = 0.389, P < 0.001), the response efficacy of IPM practices (β = 0.254, P < 0.001), and the perceived self-efficacy of using IPM practices (β = 0.199, P < 0.001) positively predicted adoption of IPM practices, while response cost/barriers of IPM practices (β = -0.355, P < 0.001) negatively predicted adoption of IPM practices., Conclusion: The PMT model presents a unique and interesting perspective to understand if and how IPM practices against the threat of pests are motivated. The perceived severity of the consequences of chemical pest control showed the strongest positive effect, whereas the response cost/barriers of IPM practices showed the strongest negative effect on IPM adoption. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.)