Educational Needs of Fig Growers in Optimal Water Storage Management on Drought Conditions, Case: Estahban County

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Faculty member of Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources

Abstract

This descriptive and survey study aimed to identify educational needs of Fig growers in optimal water storage management on drought conditions.  The statistical population of the study consisted all of the 4440 Fig growers in Estahban County. Using systematic randomized sampling method and Cochran formula, 350 Fig growers were selected as research samples. Data gathered through a questionnaire and its face validity was confirmed by research committee and researchers of Fig research center of Estahban. Reliability was determined by conducting a pilot study project and Cronbach''s alpha coefficient for the main part of the questionnaire namely educational needs of Fig growers in optimal water storage management was 0.77. Data were analyzed using SPSS/Win19 software. The results showed that educational needs of Fig growers in optimal water storage management were soil texture amendment using sandy-clay soils, proper method of pruning and proper pruning time and determine the volume of any irrigation cycle. Also the correlation results showed that there were significant correlation between variables such as: education, participation in social activities, number refer to the Agricultural Service Center, attendance in extension classes, relationships with friends and neighbors and model farmers, Fig cultivation area, number meet with extension worker, the number of hours reading general newspapers during the day, the average age of the Fig trees, Fig garden distance to Agricultural Service Center, number of hours listening to the radio during the day and optimal water storage management. Also, the mean comparison results showed that there was significant difference between Fig grower’s information about optimal water storage management in terms of gender and main job. This study recommended continuing holding educational classes and attention to the provision of the necessary measures to more communicate and interact between Fig growers and experts and their benefit from expert advice with the centrality of optimal water storage management issue.  

Keywords

References

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Iranian Journal of Agricultural Economics and Development Research
Volume 48, Issue 2
July 2017
Pages 311-321

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