Akbar Ranjgaran et al., AJBAS, 2019 2:7

Research Article AJBAS (2019) 2:7

American Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences (ISSN:2637-6857)

Influential Factors of Success Level of Agricultural Counseling and Technical Companies from Tabriz Farmers and Technical- Counseling Companies’Perspective Akbar Ranjgaran1, Javad Mahmoodi Karamjavan2 , Reza Montazer Sadeg3

1.Former M.Sc student, Slamic Azad , Tabriz, ; .Asistance professor, 2Department of Agriculture Economy, Slamic Azad University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran; 3.Executive Manager, Emdad Keshavarz Tabriz Co., Tabriz, Iran ABSTRACT The aim of current investigation was to study influential factors of *Correspondence to Author: success level of technical and counseling companies from Tabriz Akbar Ranjgaran Town farmers and technical-counseling companies’ perspec- tive. Present research is of applied type. Statistical population of Former M.Sc student, Slamic Azad current study involves 131 leading farmers of Tabriz city and 45 University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran technical counseling companies that are working at four districts of Khosroshahr,, Tabriz Suburban and Espiran. Most of the study farmers were male, married, able to read and write (graduation level), with average age 46. The highest percent of How to cite this article: the distribution was dedicated to lands 1-5 hectares with 56.48%. Akbar Ranjgaran, Javad Mahmoodi Most farmers showed their personal tendency of referring to the Karamjavan, Reza Montazer Sa- company expert’s office, announcing that personal referral has the highest advantage for them. Moreover, from these framers’ deg. Influential Factors of Success perspective, the most important barriers on the way of cooperat- Level of Agricultural Counseling ing with the companies are costs imposed to them by the com- and Technical Companies from panies. According to these farmers, the indexes of company’s Tabriz Town Farmers and Techni- help in solving farmers’ problems, feeling free in solving regional issues and the role of researches in solving their problems had cal-Counseling Companies’Per- the lowest effects in company’s success in the field of providing spective.American Journal of Basic service to the famers. Results of stepwise (multivariate) regres- and Applied Sciences, 2019, 2:7 sion from farmers’ perspective indicated that 11independent vari- ables remained in the final model. In this regression, the coeffi- cient of determination of the variables was 83%, F-value of the table was 7.23%and its level of significance was 0.0085. Results of stepwise regression from companies’ perspective indicated that three independent variables remained at final model. Here coefficient of determination of the variables was 0.96%, F-value eSciPub LLC, Houston, TX USA. of the table was 4.83 and its level of significance was 0.034. Website: http://escipub.com/

Keywords: Agricultural Counseling and Technical Companies, success, farmers

AJBAS: http://escipub.com/american-journal-of-basic-and-applied-sciences/ 1 Akbar Ranjgaran et al., AJBAS, 2019 2:7 Introduction: development services is bounded to their Agricultural development of a country is existence and working quality in the related discussed in the national development developmental fields (Shahbazi 1993). The framework of that country and agriculture and, expert of agricultural counseling and technical as an important economic sector;it plays a companies that requires leadership power can crucial role in the national development. promote learning and understanding power of Operation system and development section are their addressors. Appropriate management of among the most important sections of the educational environment, skill of penetration to agriculture which have been considered as one the learner, proper and duly use of educational of the most efficient economic activities since media and paying attention to weak and strong the past, in spite of less attention paid to them. points of the learners and addressors are Lack of appropriate investments, conditions and among the factors which can help agricultural lack of human resource development (such as counseling and technical companies’ experts to technical and counseling companies) are control and manage learning among the most important difficulties of the environment(Hejazi 1996). Lack of technical section , since knowledge, skill and production information and knowledge in the experts about organizing rely on empowering and pests, principles of ecology, investigation ways employingworking force of the section specially of pests and their population prediction ways technical and counseling companies of and also difficulty in transferring new agriculture (Kabiri 2005). Agricultural technology of plant protection to the traditional development is generally known by the activity society of farmers are among the main factors through which the expert (developer) teaches of unsuccessfulness in implementation of the farmers newly advanced technology, more Integrated Pests Management plans in the efficient technical methods or technical world(IzadiAmiri, 2002). Studying influential strategies through interactive relations. Most of factors of level of success and efficiency of such developers of counseling and technical agricultural experts, Nokhodchi et.al (1995) companies of agriculture are organized in an concluded that membership in the Islamic agricultural development system which Parliament of the State plays no role in the provides them, continuously, with efficient efficiency of agricultural experts. Moreover developmental, official-technical supervision there is no significant relationship between and logistical support massages (Auxin 1991). agricultural expert’s level of knowledge and his Agricultural counseling and technical efficiency. Also, there was no significant companies are the key connectors, being relationship among agricultural expert’s work deserved for highest accuracy, attention in field, his efficiency and work quality. Studying selection, training, supporting, job security and influential factors of agricultural experts’ economic security. Hence, it can be claimed unsuccessfulness , Karami (1983) concluded that agricultural counseling and technical that most agricultural experts and technicians of companies are the main factors in development organization (i.e86%) believe that, organizational entities for development in the although there has not been a determined plan villages. Moreover final success of rural and policy for agricultural activities after Islamic

AJBAS: http://escipub.com/american-journal-of-basic-and-applied-sciences/ 2 Akbar Ranjgaran et al., AJBAS, 2019 2:7 Revolution, the sporadic activities carried out in teaching new findings of agriculture to the the field have been influential in the agricultural farmers. development. Moreover most of the agricultural Research Method: experts and technicians (88%) believe that Current research investigation is ofdescriptive, although inappropriate policies of agricultural causal-relationship type. The survey was development organization have not been carried out by questioner. However, the influential in agricultural development, they research method is survey. In this study, the have played crucial rolein agricultural dependent variable is success level of developments with basic changes. It goes agricultural counseling and technical without saying that achieving such goals is not companies of Tabriz town. The statistical easily possible, except through paying attention population of the study involves all farmers of to the influential factors of the process, the Tabriz town and its districts (i.e. most important of which are private sectors Khosroshahr,Basmenj, Tabriz suburban and such as agricultural counseling and technical Espiran) which involve 36000 companies in the villages which act as agriculturalbeneficiaries. Most study farmers developmental message transferor factor are male, married and able to read and write (ShaabanaliFomi,2002). (level of education) with average age 46. The Methodology: highest percent of the distribution was Place Scope: dedicated to the lands between 1-5 hectares The place scope of the study is Tabriz town (56.48%). located at East of Iran. It involves all Sampling method: villages of Tabriz town where experts of There are two general methods in the sampling: agricultural counseling and technical non-probable sampling and probable companies are servicing. Tabriz town with an sampling(which can be overgeneralized). area of about 181236 hectares with Probable sampling selection should be logical geographical coordinates of 42’-46” to 47”-55’ till data and information to be closer to the East (in length) and width of 36”-37’ to 35”-53’ reality in the society (Mansourfar, 1995). The north with centrality of Tabriz involves four sampling was carried out in the villages where districts of Khosroshahr, Basmenj, Tabriz companies were acting in. hence based on Suburban, Espiran and 47 villages. The Morgan table, 131 leading farmers of the population of Tabriz is about 950000. 130000 of villages and 45 experts of the companies were the population live in those regions and 56000 selected as research sample. live in the suburban villages. In this research Results: study the term ‘agricultural counseling and Descriptive statistics: technical companies’ is referred tothose companies which act in the development According to the results 9.9% of the farmers section of agriculture organization, as a private knew expert’s relationship with the farmer at sector and relying on the rule 44 of law they are very good level and 15.3% of the farmers would working under supervision of agriculture believe in such relationship at” very much” engineering system, undertaking educational, level. 16% was aware of the issue at “very little” developmental, data transfer activities and level but 51.9% of them believed in the issue at

AJBAS: http://escipub.com/american-journal-of-basic-and-applied-sciences/ 3 Akbar Ranjgaran et al., AJBAS, 2019 2:7 “very much” level. Moreover 6.9 % had no idea of cooperating with the companies is about the issue. Moreover, according to these imposedcosts to them by the companies (table farmers, the most important barrier on the way 1).

Table 1: barriers and difficulties of cooperation between farmers and the companies from farmers’ perspective:

row item minimum maximum average Standard deviation

1 Form of relationship between 1 5 3.48 0.106 farmer and the experts

2 Costs imposed to the farmer 1 5 3.75 0.094 by the companies

3 Structure type of the company 1 5 3.51 0.086 in terms of experienced work force

4 Type of regulations 1 5 3.27 0.108 implemented by the companies in their services

5 Total average 3.50 -

According to the data of table 2, most farmers according to the farmers, the items of showed tendency to cooperate with the experts company’s help in doing agricultural issue, in the fieldof evaluating their agricultural feeling freedom in solving regional issues and problems and they have marked the item “very the role of researches in solving the problems much”. Similarly regarding other items such as had very low effect in company’s success in giving importance to farmers’ knowledge and providing service to the farmers. The experience from experts’ side, person’s referral experienced developers (experts of agricultural to the company to solve his problem and the companies), prefer group work to personal effect of the company in providing engineering contacts. Since farmers tend to talk more with and technical services out of state network, their colleagues than others. They also are they responded the item “very much”. Moreover more influenced by their colleagues or groups

AJBAS: http://escipub.com/american-journal-of-basic-and-applied-sciences/ 4 Akbar Ranjgaran et al., AJBAS, 2019 2:7 than people out of their group. Of course, there to obtain highest efficiency (Lionburgerand is an appropriate combination where both Guin 1995). influential farmers and innovators should attend

Table 2: frequency distribution of study people based on the index of level of satisfaction from the companies

row Item minimum Maximum average Standard deviation

1 How much do you tend to 1 5 2.27 0.097 cooperate with the company in agricultural issues?

2 How much do you tend to refer 1 4 2.62 0.089 to the company in solving your agricultural difficulties?

3 How much do you trust experts’ 1 4 2.17 0.073 advices regarding agricultural issue?

4 In your opinion, to what deal 1 4 2.53 0.068 have the experts solved your problems in the agricultural field?

5 To what extent, the experts care 1 5 2.68 0.095 about your knowledge and experience and use them?

6 How much do you like to take 1 4 2.84 0.095 part in the evaluation of your agricultural issues?

7 How much do you like to take 1 4 2.33 0.095 part in planning for your agricultural issues?

8 To what deal do the company 1 4 1.69 0.058 experts help you in doing agricultural issues?

9 To what extent you feel free in 1 3 1.64 0.048 cooperating at regional agricultural issue?

AJBAS: http://escipub.com/american-journal-of-basic-and-applied-sciences/ 5 Akbar Ranjgaran et al., AJBAS, 2019 2:7 10 How effective is the company in 1 5 2.51 0.092 providing technical and engineering services out of state network?

11 To what extent you feel 1 4 2.38 0.095 friendship with the experts?

12 In your own opinion, to what 1 4 1.95 0.064 extent you can identify and solve you agricultural problems?

13 To what deal you agree with 1 4 2.51 0.086 other farmers in the field of proposed agricultural issues?

14 How much you like agricultural 1 4 1.98 0.065 studies to be conducted in your gardens?

- Total average 2.25 -

In terms of level of successfulness of the counseling companies they have been companies form their members’ perspective, successful in employment for graduates, most members responded “very much” privatization, theoretical and practical trainings regarding the items privatization, graduates’ (table 3). In a general review of theoretical employment, theoretical and practical taught. principles of agricultural companies’ expert, This is while they responded “very little” Musavi and Asadi (2009) concluded that the regarding the item of coveringtechnical and content of developmental plans have been in counseling services among the beneficiaries. accordance with learners’ characteristic and Hence, according to members of technical and needs and different area’s conditions.

Table 3: frequency distribution of the study individuals based on the index of companies’ level of success form companies’ members perspective

row item minimum maximum average Standard deviation

1 How successful have been the 1 5 3.04 0.203 counseling and technical companies in privatization?

2 How effective has been the 1 5 2.68 0.164 counseling and technical companies in agricultural

AJBAS: http://escipub.com/american-journal-of-basic-and-applied-sciences/ 6 Akbar Ranjgaran et al., AJBAS, 2019 2:7 efficiency?

3 Have the technical and 2 5 3.71 0.144 counseling companies had positive effects on agriculture field graduates employment?

4 How much do you enjoy 1 5 3.26 0.169 theoretical and practical trainings in a year?

5 How much of the agricultural, 1 4 2.71 0.154 counseling and technical services cover the agricultural beneficiaries?

6 How qualitatively and 1 4 2.91 0.148 quantitatively has beenefficientamount of agricultural products with establishment of underlying companies?

7 How many of the companies have 1 4 2.62 0.146 been successful in developing demand-oriented, customer- oriented and farmer-oriented engineering services specially in positioning regional development?

8 How much have been successful 1 4 2.28 0.133 the companies in promoting agricultural counseling and technical services provision for agricultural beneficiaries?

- Total average 2.90 -

Multivariate Regression: variables was 0.83 and F-value of the table was Results obtained from multivariate (i.e. 7.23 and its level of significance was estimated stepwise) regression from farmers’perspective 0.008.According to coefficient of determination , showedthat 11 independent variables remained 83% of changes in the dependent variables are in the final model. Hence, considering table (4), explained by variables of level of satisfaction the coefficient of determination of these from income, annual income rate, clergymen’s

AJBAS: http://escipub.com/american-journal-of-basic-and-applied-sciences/ 7 Akbar Ranjgaran et al., AJBAS, 2019 2:7 level of popularity and their advices to the holding educational courses by the company in farmers, popularity level of members of Islamic the village, credibility and importance level of council and their advices for the farmers, telephone advices to the farmers, creditability agricultural land area, farmer’s level of level of television and its advices to the farmers education , following specified time plan of the and credibilitylevel of experts and their advices classes held by the company in the village, to the farmers.

Table 4: coefficients of variables entered in the regression equation:

Variable Standard Variable B Beta t Sig symbol deviation

Fixed number - 1.79 0.165 - 10.86 0.000

Satisfaction level of the income X1 -0.124 0.026 -0.287 -4.73 0.000

Credibility level of telephone X2 0.089 0.028 0.212 3.219 0.002 advices to the farmers

Income rate X3 -0.158 0.031 -0.287 -5.048 0.000

Following specified time plan of the classes held by the company X4 0.169 0.036 0.268 4.74 0.000 at the village

Agricultural land area X5 0.038 0.009 0.236 4.28 0.002

Holding educational courses by X6 0.146 0.035 0.241 4.14 0.000 the company in the village

Credibility level of the TV and its X7 0.155 0.034 0.273 4.49 0.000 advices to the farmers

Farmer’s level of education X8 -0.155 0.034 -0.300 -4.55 0.000

Credibility level of the Islamic council ‘ members and their X9 0.094 0.025 0.213 3.78 0.000 advices to the farmers

Credibility level of the experts and X10 -0.081 0.027 -0.198 -3.007 0.003 their advices to the farmers

Credibility level of the clergymen X11 0.057 0.054 0.214 4.36 0.000 and their advices to the farmers

AJBAS: http://escipub.com/american-journal-of-basic-and-applied-sciences/ 8 Akbar Ranjgaran et al., AJBAS, 2019 2:7 R2=83% Data obtained from multivariate regression from Regression Equation: the companies members’ perspective revealed that 3 independent variables were left in the Y=1.79-0.124 X1+0.089 X2-0.158 X3+0.169 final model. Hence, considering table (5) X4+0.038 X5+0.146 X6+0.155 X7-0.155 coefficient of determination of the variables was X8+0.094 X9-0.081 X10+0.057 X11 96%, F-value was 4.38 and level of significance Corrected equation: was estimated 0.034. According to coefficient of ' Y=-0.287 X1+0.212 X2-0.287 X3+0.268 determination, 96% of changes of independent X4+0.236 X5+0.241 X6+0.273 X7-0.300 variable can be explained by the expert’s X8+0.213 X9-0.198 X10+0.214 X11 gender, expert’s secondary job, working hours of the company’s members in the company.

Table (5): coefficients of the variables entered into the regression equation

Variable Standard Variable B Beta t sing indicator deviation

Fixed number - 0.494 0.148 - 3.33 0.002

Success in employment of the agriculture field X1 0.106 0.029 0.201 3.69 0.001 graduates

Success in privatization X2 0.104 0.021 0.278 5.05 0.000

Social position of the job X3 0.202 0.018 0.556 10.98 0.000

theoretical and practical X4 0.117 0.024 0.261 4.92 0.000 training

Continuing education X5 0.107 0.018 0.285 6.13 0.000

Quantitative and qualitative promotion of agricultural X6 0.131 0.042 0.256 3.12 0.003 products’ efficiency

Marriage (marital status) X7 -0.139 0.062 -0.10 -2.22 0.032

Increase in agricultural X8 0.072 0.033 0.156 2.19 0.034 efficiency

AJBAS: http://escipub.com/american-journal-of-basic-and-applied-sciences/ 9 Akbar Ranjgaran et al., AJBAS, 2019 2:7 R2=96% expert of the agricultural counseling and Regression Equations: technical companies) to play his crucial role.

Y=0.494+0.106 X1+0.104 X2+0.202 X3+0.117 References:

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