Nima Nejadrezaei

The main purpose of this study was to investigate effective factors on adopting technologies among trout fish farmers in Guilan province by Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). The statistical population of this research contained all managers of trout fish farms of Guilan province (N=170) that base on the limitation of structural equation modeling in determining sample size, 97 of them were chosen as a sample. The study tool was contained Vankatesh and et al. information technology questionnaire in six items. To obtain validity of the questionnaire; content, face, convergent, and discriminant validity were used. As well, to obtain reliability of the questionnaire; principal component analysis, Cronbachs alpha, Dillon-Goldstein’s ʃ and reagent stability were used. To accomplish analysis of data, SPSSV19 and SmartPLSV2 software were used in descriptive and inferential statistics. For testing hypothesis, structural equation model (SEM) and partial least squares (PLS) that focus on reagent variance were used. The results showed that there was a significant relationship between performance expectancy and behavioral intention. Also, there was a significant relationship between intention to use and use behavior of aquaculture technologies. The model explains 28.8 percent of behavioral intention variance and 7.9 percent of use behavior of aquaculture technologies variance among trout fish farmers. To increase willingness to accept the technology among trout fish farms in Guilan province, it is suggested that extension-education courses for raising knowledge and awareness of aquaculture technology to be held by organizations. Providing financial resources and adequate knowledge will enable trout fish farms to equip with aquaculture technologies.

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the application level of new technologies among trout fish farmers of Guilan Province. The present study was applied and conducted with the descriptive method by using a questionnaire. The statistical population of this research contained all 170 managers of trout fish farms of Guilan province that 97 of them were chosen as a sample to fill questionnaires. Content and face validity of the research tool was obtained by a panel of experts. To obtain the reliability of questionnaires, Cronbach’s α coefficient was used (0.70). The results show that 86.6 percent of trout fish farmers, Use at least one of aquatic beast growing technologies.  Results of t-test and F-tests showed that there is a meaningful difference in the use of technology in terms of rate of study, source of water, farm capacity and use of loan. Rate of using weathering technologies, biotechnology, and structure engineering has had the most usage and physical filter technologies, food production, and UV antiseptic case have had the least usage among Guilan’s trout fish farmers. As well, no use of fodder devices and automatic cleaners was seen. Results for investigation of usage level of technologies showed that most of the growers (57.1%) have been in the level of average acceptance and have used five to ten technologies in their farms.

The statistical population of this survey study consisted of all paddy farmers in Rasht township (N=84772) that used to analyze the level of sustainability Asset. The sample size determines by Krejcie and Morgan sample size (n= 401). The questionnaire included 42 indicators and 13 components for five sustainable livelihoods capitals (Physical, Human, Social, Financial and Natural). Content and face validity of the research tool was obtained by a panel of experts. To obtain the reliability of the questionnaire, Coder- Richardson was used (0.96). The results showed, in general, that none of six counties in Rasht was at a sustainable level in terms of sustainability assets, but social capital had a better condition in comparison with other capitals.  Sangar County had high levels of natural and physical capital, also financial and human capital in Central (Markazi) county and social capital in Khomam county had high levels in comparison with other counties.

The main aim of this paper was to investigate factors affecting the adoption of pressurized irrigation technology among Roudbar County olive farmers by path-structural modeling and Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology. Data were collected through an information technology questionnaire addressing a cross section of 210 managers of olive farms (4.18% of the statistical population) in the Roudbar County, Northern Iran. Validity of the questionnaire was proofed using several tests (content, face, convergent and discriminant). Likewise, reliability of the questionnaire was tested employing principal component analysis, Cronbach's alpha, Dillon-Goldstein's ʃ and reagent stability. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis of the data was accomplished using SPSS V19 and SmartPLS V3 software. For testing hypotheses, structural equation model and partial least squares that focus on reagent variance were used. Results show a significant relationship between: (a) performance expectancy and behavioral intention, (b) social influence and behavioral intention, (c) facilitating conditions and use behavior. A significant relationship was also observed between intention to use and use behavior of pressurized irrigation technology. The employed model explains 72% of behavioral intention variance and 42% of use behavior of pressurized irrigation technology variance among olive farmers. To increase willingness to accept technology among Roudbar County olive farmers, it is suggested to hold extension and education courses by organizations for raising knowledge and awareness of pressurized irrigation technology. Also, olive farmers can be provided with financial resources and knowledge to enable them to adopt this new irrigation technology.

The Sustainable Livelihoods Approach (SLA) is a useful framework to think about rural development. It refers to five capitals/assets (natural, social, physical, human, financial). A livelihoods strategy can be defined as a portfolio of activities and choices that people make to achieve their livelihood goals. These choices are reflected in the way people use their assets and as such are an important component of household behaviour. Sustainable agriculture is essential for sustainable livelihoods in rural areas. Livelihoods are eco-friendly when they conserve and/or increase natural capi al. Farmer en ironmen al beha io r i er impor an because their livelihoods depend on and directly impact natural resources and the environment. This study aimed to investigate the role of sustainable livelihood assets in environmental behaviour (EB) of paddy farmers in Koochesfahan County by using the Partial Least Squares (PLS) method and the SLA. The statistical population was composed of all 16037 paddy farmers of Koochesfahan County and 130 of them were chosen as a sample. The research tool was a questionnaire that included 35 parameters on the five livelihood capitals and nine parameters relating to environmental behaviour. Both the validity and reliability (e.g. Cronbach alpha, reagen abili) of he q e ionnaire ere checked. SPSSV19 and SmartPLSV3 software were used in descriptive and inferential statistics. For testing hypotheses, structural equation model (SEM) and PLS were used. The results showed a significant relationship between financial capital and EB, social capital and EB, and natural capital and EB. Among all moderators (age, experience and education), only education significantly moderates the relationship between social capital and EB. The model explains 96 percent of environmental behavioural variance among paddy farmers in Koochesfahan County. The study shows the importance of taking into consideration the livelihoods of farmers in the formulation and implementation of environmental strategies in agriculture and rural areas.