Designing a community-supported agriculture model for increasing food security.

The institutionalization of participation is a topic that has been discussed in different ways over the last few decades. There are many diverse aspects of the agricultural sector and rural communities that can be identified and used to bring about a major change in agriculture. Community supported agriculture (CSA) is one of the participatory and sustainable approaches that can be used in this regard. CSA is a relatively new socioeconomic model for producing food materials, increasing food security, improving the quality of food materials and conserving agricultural land, plants and animals. This research aimed to design a CSA model that was operationalized in Markazi province, Iran, with the aim of increasing food security. It was a survey study applied through a questionnaire. The statistical population (N=110) consisted of all active farmers in Ghazel Dareh village who were selected through the census method. The necessary information was collected through a questionnaire (84 of which were completed and returned) and analyzed using SPSS v. 25 and LISREL. The results showed that economic, socio-institutional, policy-making, educational and infrastructural factors significantly influenced the development of CSA. Infrastructural and socio-institutional factors with impact factors of 0.88 and 0.54 had the largest and smallest effect on CSA, respectively. Finally, since all impact factors were positive, we can say that improving each of these factors could improve the development of CSA in the study area.

A comprehensive model for the implementation of agricultural land levelling and consolidation plan in the Abu Fazel region of Ahvaz / Modelo abrangente para a implementação do plano de nivelamento e consolidação de terras agrícolas na região de Abu Fazel, de Ahvaz

It has been shown that land fragmentation can negatively impact the efficiency of farming. Therefore, experts recommend land consolidation process, as a logical and workable solution to solve the problems and complications caused by land fragmentation. Land levelling and consolidation is a process of land reform that changes the construction of agricultural lands which leads to rural development through reforming farm management. However, a single plan cannot be applied to different regions, even though they might be in the same country. Hence, it is vital to investigate multiple factors in a certain region to devise the perfect consolidation plan. The present study, which is a survey-exploratory research, is conducted to provide a comprehensive model to implement the plan for levelling and consolidation of agricultural lands in the Abu Fazel region of Ahvaz, Iran. This research is an applied field research which uses both library and field methods to collect the required data. The study population is in Abu Fazel in the northeast of Ahvaz in Zargan region. The results of the study show that cultural, social, economic, policy-making, educational, agricultural and managerial factors have an effect on the participation of farmers in the levelling and consolidation of agricultural lands in the study area (p≥0.01). Also, there is a strong positive relationship between these factors and the farmers' participation in levelling and consolidation of agricultural lands (p≥0.01). Among these factors, it is observed that policy is main factor. Policymakers can play an effective role in land consolidation and macro development on the one hand and agricultural and rural development. On the other, by accurately assessing the interactive effect of land consolidation and related factors, along with the effects of this process on the evolution of agronomic systems.

Tem sido demonstrado que a fragmentação da terra pode impactar negativamente a eficiência da agricultura. Portanto, os especialistas recomendam o processo de consolidação de terras como uma solução lógica e viável para resolver os problemas e as complicações causadas pela fragmentação de terras. O nivelamento e a consolidação da terra são processos de reforma agrária que alteram a construção de terras agrícolas, o que leva ao desenvolvimento rural por meio da reforma da gestão agrícola. No entanto, um único plano não pode ser aplicado a diferentes regiões, mesmo que estejam no mesmo país. Portanto, é vital investigar vários fatores em determinada região para elaborar o plano de consolidação perfeito. O presente estudo, que é uma pesquisa exploratória de levantamento, é realizado para fornecer um modelo abrangente para implementar o plano de nivelamento e consolidação de terras agrícolas na região de Abu Fazel, de Ahvaz, no Irã. Trata-se de uma pesquisa de campo aplicada que usa métodos de biblioteca e de campo para coletar os dados necessários. A população do estudo está em Abu Fazel, no nordeste de Ahvaz, na região de Zargan. Os resultados do estudo mostram que fatores culturais, sociais, econômicos, políticos, educacionais, agrícolas e gerenciais influenciam a participação dos agricultores no nivelamento e na consolidação das terras agrícolas na área de estudo (p ≥ 0,01). Além disso, há forte relação positiva entre esses fatores e a participação dos agricultores no nivelamento e na consolidação das terras agrícolas (p ≥ 0,01). Entre esses fatores, observa-se que a política é o principal deles. Os formuladores de políticas, por um lado, podem desempenhar um papel efetivo na consolidação da terra e no macrodesenvolvimento e desenvolvimento agrícola e rural e, por outro, avaliar com precisão o efeito interativo da consolidação de terras e fatores relacionados, juntamente com os efeitos desse processo na evolução dos sistemas agronômicos.

The role of skill development in improving the performance of agricultural extension agents in Iran using structural equation modeling and grounded theory.

Performance improvement is the main concept of development policy. Belief in strengthening and improving the performance of individuals and institutions in developing countries for success in development policy has gradually formed among development agents. Performance improvement at the individual level pays attention to individual needs in order to enhance performance. Development requires developed and trained people. Therefore, the better the human resources as wealth and national capital are cultivated, the smoother the development path will be. The dimensions of improving performance at the individual level include things such as abilities, needs, attitudes, psychology, motivations, talents and skills, which also raises the need for skill development. In this regard, the current research seeks to investigate the relationship between skill development and performance improvement in extension in Iranian agriculture. The statistical population includes agricultural jihad centers in five regions of the country (the division of the country's provinces according to the Ministry of Agricultural Jihad, where each region includes 6 provinces) which is 8142 people, and accordingly, Cochran's formula was used to determine the sample size and the number of sample size 366 people were obtained. A structured questionnaire was developed to collect data. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the skill development measurement model, the performance improvement measurement model, and the skill development model. The research results show the significant relationship of all the indicators extracted from the interview in the structural equations.

The role of skill development in improving the performance of agricultural extension agents in Iran using structural equation modeling and grounded theory / O papel do desenvolvimento de competências na melhoria do desempenho dos promotores agrícolas no Irã usando modelagem de equações estruturais e teoria fundamentada

Abstract Performance improvement is the main concept of development policy. Belief in strengthening and improving the performance of individuals and institutions in developing countries for success in development policy has gradually formed among development agents. Performance improvement at the individual level pays attention to individual needs in order to enhance performance. Development requires developed and trained people. Therefore, the better the human resources as wealth and national capital are cultivated, the smoother the development path will be. The dimensions of improving performance at the individual level include things such as abilities, needs, attitudes, psychology, motivations, talents and skills, which also raises the need for skill development. In this regard, the current research seeks to investigate the relationship between skill development and performance improvement in extension in Iranian agriculture. The statistical population includes agricultural jihad centers in five regions of the country (the division of the country's provinces according to the Ministry of Agricultural Jihad, where each region includes 6 provinces) which is 8142 people, and accordingly, Cochran's formula was used to determine the sample size and the number of sample size 366 people were obtained. A structured questionnaire was developed to collect data. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the skill development measurement model, the performance improvement measurement model, and the skill development model. The research results show the significant relationship of all the indicators extracted from the interview in the structural equations.

Resumo A melhoria do desempenho é o principal conceito da política de desenvolvimento. A crença no fortalecimento e na melhoria do desempenho de indivíduos e instituições nos países em desenvolvimento para o sucesso da política de desenvolvimento tem se formado gradualmente entre os agentes de desenvolvimento. A melhoria do desempenho a nível individual presta atenção às necessidades individuais, a fim de melhorar o desempenho. O desenvolvimento requer pessoas desenvolvidas e treinadas. Portanto, quanto melhores forem os recursos humanos cultivados como riqueza e capital nacional, mais suave será o caminho de desenvolvimento. As dimensões da melhoria do desempenho no nível individual incluem coisas como habilidades, necessidades, atitudes, psicologia, motivações, talentos e habilidades, o que também levanta a necessidade de desenvolvimento de habilidades. Nesse sentido, a presente pesquisa busca investigar a relação entre o desenvolvimento de habilidades e a melhoria do desempenho na extensão na agricultura iraniana. A população estatística inclui centros de jihad agrícola em cinco regiões do país (a divisão das províncias do país de acordo com o Ministério da Jihad Agrícola, onde cada região inclui 6 províncias) que é de 8142 pessoas e, nesse sentido, a fórmula de Cochran foi utilizada para determinar o tamanho da amostra e o número de tamanho amostral de 366 pessoas foram obtidas. Para a coleta de dados foi elaborado um questionário estruturado. A modelagem de equações estruturais foi usada para examinar o modelo de medida de desenvolvimento de habilidades, o modelo de medição de melhoria de desempenho e o modelo de desenvolvimento de habilidades. Os resultados da pesquisa mostram a relação significativa de todos os indicadores extraídos da entrevista nas equações estruturais.

A comprehensive model for the implementation of agricultural land levelling and consolidation plan in the Abu Fazel region of Ahvaz.

It has been shown that land fragmentation can negatively impact the efficiency of farming. Therefore, experts recommend land consolidation process, as a logical and workable solution to solve the problems and complications caused by land fragmentation. Land levelling and consolidation is a process of land reform that changes the construction of agricultural lands which leads to rural development through reforming farm management. However, a single plan cannot be applied to different regions, even though they might be in the same country. Hence, it is vital to investigate multiple factors in a certain region to devise the perfect consolidation plan. The present study, which is a survey-exploratory research, is conducted to provide a comprehensive model to implement the plan for levelling and consolidation of agricultural lands in the Abu Fazel region of Ahvaz, Iran. This research is an applied field research which uses both library and field methods to collect the required data. The study population is in Abu Fazel in the northeast of Ahvaz in Zargan region. The results of the study show that cultural, social, economic, policy-making, educational, agricultural and managerial factors have an effect on the participation of farmers in the levelling and consolidation of agricultural lands in the study area (p≥0.01). Also, there is a strong positive relationship between these factors and the farmers' participation in levelling and consolidation of agricultural lands (p≥0.01). Among these factors, it is observed that policy is main factor. Policymakers can play an effective role in land consolidation and macro development on the one hand and agricultural and rural development. On the other, by accurately assessing the interactive effect of land consolidation and related factors, along with the effects of this process on the evolution of agronomic systems.

Effects of 1.25-Dihydroxycholecalciferol and Hydroalcoholic Extract of Withania Coagulans Fruit on Bone Mineralization and Mechanical and Histological Properties of Male Broiler Chickens

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Withania coagulans (WC) fruit and 1.25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1.25-(OH)2 D3) on bone mineralization, mechanical and histological properties of male broiler chickens at 21 and 42 d of age. A total of six hundred male day-old Ross 308 broiler chickens were randomly distributed according to a completely randomized experimental design in a 2×3×2 factorial arrangement with 12 treatments of five replicates of 10 birds each. Treatments consisted of two basal diets (positive control with adequate Ca level and negative control with 30% less Ca), three levels of WC (0, 100, or 200 mg/kg diet), and two levels of 1.25-(OH)2 D3 (0 or 0.5 µg/kg diet). Birds were housed in floor pens. The diets were fed ad libitum from one to 42 days of age. On day 21 and 42, one bird per replicate was sacrificed and its tibiae were removed. Both Ca and P retention increased when dietary Ca level was reduced (p 0.001). The addition of 200 mg WC/kg to positive control diet increased Ca retention (p 0.01). Except for tibia diameter, no significant main effects of experimental treatments were observed on tibia physical characteristics or on bone mineralization. The diet with 30% Ca reduction decreased tibia diameter at 42 days of age (p 0.05). The dietary addition of 1.25-(OH)2 D3 increased tibia fracture energy, width of tibia mineralized zone, and serum Ca at 42 days of age (p 0.05). At 21 days of age, supplementation of 100 mg WC/kg increased cortical thickness (p 0.05). At 42 days of age, supplementation of 100 mg WC/kg increased tibia shear force (p 0.05) and fracture energy (p 0.01). The results of this experiment showed that supplementation of 100 mg/kg hydroalcoholic extract of WC fruit increased tibia cortical thickness, shear force, and fracture energy.

Effects of 1.25-Dihydroxycholecalciferol and Hydroalcoholic Extract of Withania Coagulans Fruit on Bone Mineralization and Mechanical and Histological Properties of Male Broiler Chickens

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Withania coagulans (WC) fruit and 1.25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1.25-(OH)2 D3) on bone mineralization, mechanical and histological properties of male broiler chickens at 21 and 42 d of age. A total of six hundred male day-old Ross 308 broiler chickens were randomly distributed according to a completely randomized experimental design in a 2×3×2 factorial arrangement with 12 treatments of five replicates of 10 birds each. Treatments consisted of two basal diets (positive control with adequate Ca level and negative control with 30% less Ca), three levels of WC (0, 100, or 200 mg/kg diet), and two levels of 1.25-(OH)2 D3 (0 or 0.5 µg/kg diet). Birds were housed in floor pens. The diets were fed ad libitum from one to 42 days of age. On day 21 and 42, one bird per replicate was sacrificed and its tibiae were removed. Both Ca and P retention increased when dietary Ca level was reduced (p 0.001). The addition of 200 mg WC/kg to positive control diet increased Ca retention (p 0.01). Except for tibia diameter, no significant main effects of experimental treatments were observed on tibia physical characteristics or on bone mineralization. The diet with 30% Ca reduction decreased tibia diameter at 42 days of age (p 0.05). The dietary addition of 1.25-(OH)2 D3 increased tibia fracture energy, width of tibia mineralized zone, and serum Ca at 42 days of age (p 0.05). At 21 days of age, supplementation of 100 mg WC/kg increased cortical thickness (p 0.05). At 42 days of age, supplementation of 100 mg WC/kg increased tibia shear force (p 0.05) and fracture energy (p 0.01). The results of this experiment showed that supplementation of 100 mg/kg hydroalcoholic extract of WC fruit increased tibia cortical thickness, shear force, and fracture energy.(AU)

Effect of different levels of methionine, protein and tallow on the productive performance and egg quality of laying hens in the late-phase production

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of different levels of methionine, protein and tallow on productive performance and egg quality of laying hens in the late phase of production. A completely randomized design with a 3×2×2 factorial arrangement, with three levels (0.34, 0.31, and 0.27%) of methionine (MET), two levels (12.8 and 14.7%) of protein (PRO) and two levels (1 and 3%) of tallow (TAL) with constant level of linoleic acid (1.55 ± 0.02%), was used. A number of 144 Hi-Line W-36 layers from 70 to 76 wk of age was randomly distributed into 12 treatment groups with 4 replicates of 3 hens each. Egg production and egg weight were daily recorded and feed intake and egg quality traits were recorded every 2 wk. There was a significant interaction between PRO levels and TAL for egg weight. Low levels of TAL and PRO decreased egg weight throughout the experiment. High levels of MET and TAL with concomitant reduced PRO, increased eggshell thickness, and a significant interaction between levels of MET, PRO and TAL was observed during the experiment (70 to 76 wk). Low level of protein (12.8%) significantly decreased albumen weight in the third 2-wk period. Yolk color increased when hens were fed low levels of PRO and TAL. Results of this experiment indicated that the simultaneous reduction of dietary PRO and MET in diets of Hi-Line W-36 laying hens in the late phase of production, reduced egg weight (P<0.05). Productive performance and egg quality were not affected by 12 and 20% reduction of PRO and MET, respectively. It seems that decreasing the levels of MET and PRO to lower than the recommended values can decrease egg weight without negative effects on productive performance and egg quality of laying hens in the late phase of production.(AU)