Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1
Professor, Department of Agricultural Management and Development, Faculty of Agricultural Economics and Development, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
2
gricultural Development & Management Department ,Agricultural Economic & Development college,Agriculture & Natural Resources Faculty, University of Tehran, Iran
3
Professor, Department of Agricultural Management and Development, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
4
Assistant Professor, Agricultural Planning, Economic and Rural Development Research Institute (APERDRI)
10.22059/ijaedr.2022.337924.669126
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the level of commercialization of agricultural products the household farming system and the factors affecting it in Khalkhal County. This study was performed from the preliminary data collected using a questionnaire from a stratified random sample of 368 smallholder farmers. The Household Commercialization Index was used to assess the level of commercialization. A multiple regression model was used to estimate the factors associated with small-scale agricultural commercialization. The average household commercialization index is 39.94%. The results of multiple regression showed that the variables that significantly and positively affect commercialization are the number of available markets, membership in cooperatives, non-agricultural income, and amount of livestock production, crop production, and horticultural production. On the other hand, the variables that significantly and negatively affect commercialization are the age of the head of the household, production costs and distance from the market. This study showed that the farmers of this region are mostly subsistence. In order to increase the commercialization of smallholder farmers, special attention is recommended to educate farmers to look at agriculture as a business and equip farmers with marketing and negotiation skills.
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