Factors Affecting Farmers' Willingness Regarding Access to Weather Forecast (Case Study: Golestan Province)

In the developing countries, where introduction and subsequent adoption of improved technologies is too slow to counteract the adverse effects of varying environmental conditions, there are increasing demands for meteorological information by farmers who are seriously in need of weather forecast information for their prompt operational decisions. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors affecting the farmers' willingness regarding their access to weather forecasting in Golestan Province. The research method was one of a descriptive survey type. The target population of the study consisted of total farmers in Golestan Province, Iran (N=130000). By using Multistage Random Sampling technique, 322 farmers were chosen. Data were collected through a questionnaire and analyzed through SPSS, V.11. Content and face validity of the instrument were ascertained by the faculty members of agricultural extension as well by meteorological specialists. The reliability analysis was conducted through a completion 30 questionnaires for which Cronbach's Alpha was calculated 0.80, 0.85 and 0.90. The results obtained from analytical statistics indicated that there are significant relationships between independent variables of: rate of wheat production, farmers' beliefs in climate change in their residential areas, global warming (99%), total cost vs income obtained from their cultivations and land area under a farmers' ownership (95%) and the dependent variable of: farmers' willingness regarding his access to weather forecast. The study has recommended definite other forecasts for farmers and more serious attention to broadcast of such seriously needed information preparation such as rainfall, number of sunny days and extent of cloud covering.