Designing a paradigm model for extension of GAP standard in the rice fields of Mazandaran province

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

• Fatemeh Razzaghi

Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Faculty of Crop Sciences, Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University, Sari. Iran

Abstract

Keywords

• Sustainable Agriculture
• Saftey Product
• GAP Standard
• Certified Product
• Rice Fields
• Grounded Theory

Main Subjects

• Agricultural Economics, Extension and Education, Development, , ....

Extended Abstract

Context and Purpose

The rapid increase in environmental pollution, health concerns and people's health, the challenge of food security and groth of new technology to increase the demand for greener, healthier and fairer food production. Good agricultural Practices, with consideration of economic sustainability, environmental sustainability, and social acceptability, lead to food safety and quality, development and extension of sustainable agriculture. Considering the strategic position of Mazandaran in the country's agricultural production and the importance of food security and health of the country's people, as well as the importance of the export of agricultural products, it is important to pay attention to the standard of Good Agricultural Practices. This research was carried out with the general purpose of designing and explaining the optimal model for extension and developing the GAP standard in the rice fields of Mazandaran province.

Research Methodology

The research was qualitative. Data analysis was done with the method of qualitative content analysis of scientific and semi-structured interviews by extracting codes, concepts and categorizing categories, during a three-step process of open coding, central coding and selective coding through Maxqda software. The decision to select the sample was completed by theoretical sampling during the research process.The statistical population of the research was 18 experts and specialists of the Agricultural Jihad Organization and rice farmers' cooperatives of Mazandaran province and the academic staff of Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University,  who were selected by purposeful sampling. To determine the validity and reliability of the research, the accuracy of the researcher in theoretical orientation and self-control and self-revision of the researcher during the process of data collection and analysis, and to ensure the reliability of the accurate guidance of the flow of interviews, the creation of a structured process for the execution and interpretation of interviews, and the formation of an expert committee have been used. In this research, after conducting face-to-face and in some cases face-to-face and telephone interviews, the materials were carefully reviewed and the content analysis of the conceptualization process was done to explain the model.

Findings

In this research, after conducting face-to-face and telephone interviews, the materials were carefully reviewed.Analysis of semi-structured interviews was done through the technique of qualitative content analysis with an inductive approach. The interviews were studied line by line and 250 initial concepts were extracted. After extracting concepts, initial coding was done. In the first stage of coding, 56 contents among 250 conceptual codes were identified, and after refining and merging, the codes were classified into 19 subcategories. Coding of categories was determined with coherence and logical order and accurate connection with axial coding. And it led to the paradigm model of explaining the pattern of extension and development of GAP standard in rice fields of Mazandaran province. The obtained pattern of causal conditions (exploitation system, psychological behavior and effective drivers), It shows strategies (system of group certificates, development of government GAP programs and development of private GAP standard), intervening conditions (supporting and facilitating factors, motivating and stimulating factors, limiting and inhibiting factors), background conditions (legal, institutional and political requirements and technological and innovative capabilities) and consequences (environmental, social and economic sustainable development) for the promotion and development of GAP standard in the rice fields of Mazandaran province.

Conclusion

In parallel with the research of the practical proposals for the establishment of a new system to promote the contract for the production of healthy and certified rice, the development of the value chain of the healthy rice product with branding, the creation of a healthy product production bank, the provision of reducing the risks and hazards of product production with the GAP standard, subsidizing the production of healthy products and adopting policies such as low-interest loans, eliminating and reducing taxes, developing healthy agricultural products insurance and increasing the role of private and public educational and consulting services are important.