نوع مقاله : مقاله پژوهشی
عنوان مقاله English
نویسنده English
Agricultural extension systems in arid regions must respond simultaneously to resource scarcity, fragmented institutions, market volatility, and the limited bargaining power of smallholders. This study designed a context-specific Market-Oriented Agricultural Extension (MOAE) system for Yazd province, Iran, using Soft Systems Methodology (SSM). Empirical material was generated during a two-day participatory workshop with 29 agricultural extension and development experts purposively selected for their professional experience. Workshop statements were thematically organized and examined through rich-picture development, CATWOE analysis, root definition, conceptual modeling, comparison with the perceived real-world situation, and identification of feasible and desirable changes. The analysis identified interdependent needs related to local needs assessment, market and value chain development, multi-actor coordination, human and social capital, knowledge integration, private advisory services, institutional continuity, investment, and market risk management. The resulting design comprises three interacting subsystems: extension–farmer–market–consumer interaction; policy, regulation, and support; and research, education, and adaptive learning. Five implementation principles connect these subsystems: human and social capital development; market responsiveness and value-chain orientation; decentralized and accountable governance; multi-actor networking and adaptive learning; and risk management and smallholder inclusion. The study contributes a system-design perspective to the MOAE literature by showing how SSM can translate an ill-structured regional problem into a locally differentiated institutional architecture. The model remains conceptual and should be validated with farmers, value-chain actors, financial institutions, and consumers before pilot implementation.
کلیدواژهها English