Analyzing factors affecting unsustainably of agricultural lands in East Azerbaijan Province (case of Malekan County)

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Faculty member of Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources

Abstract

Unsustainably of farmland has received much attention in recent years. Hence, there is a need to assess the unsustainably factors of different land management systems. Understanding these factors is critical to formulate appropriate policies and programs to achieve sustainable agriculture. Therefore, this research aimed to analyses the factors affecting unsustainably of agricultural lands within wheat farmers in Malekan County. Sample size was estimated by using Cochran formula (n=162). Samples have been selected by stratified random sampling method. Validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by a panel of agricultural extension and education professionals and some experts from Jihad-e Keshavarzi Management of Malekan County. The reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed based on pilot study and calculating Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.71. The collected data was analyzed by SPSS21. The results of factor analysis showed six factors named: characteristics of water and soil, inappropriate climate, economic poverty of farmers, chemical inputs, weakness in technical knowledge and the structure of land, explained more than 71 percentage of variance of unsustainably of agricultural lands in study area.

Keywords

References

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Iranian Journal of Agricultural Economics and Development Research
Volume 48, Issue 4
March 2018
Pages 611-619

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