A Comparison of Healthy Crop Cultivation Behavior based on Demographic Variables (Case study: Rural Beneficiaries in Kermanshah Province in Iran)

Abstract

As the world’s population grows, food supply for the human community faces severe constraints, making farmers use chemical pesticides for two goals: first, to increase their production, and second, to fight against plant pests. Using toxins and chemical fertilizers has put people at a greater risk. Safe crop cultivation is a way to cope with this problem. In the present study, researchers compare the cultivation behavior of healthy crops based on demographic variables. This research was a quantitative, ex-post facto (causal-comparative research), and non-experimental study whose statistical population consisted of 80,304 rural stakeholders in Kermanshah province, out of whom 385 people were selected as the sample. Because of the dispersion of the statistical population, 400 questionnaires were distributed through multi-stage cluster sampling among the users. The results showed a significant difference between the mean scores of the stakeholders’ behaviors regarding the cultivation of healthy products in Kermanshah province based on the variables of participation in educational and extension classes, role models, age, work experience, educational level, and monthly income. Only marital and gender variables were not significantly different. Success can be achieved by holding extension classes in this field, introducing exemplary and successful farmers as role models, and giving financial rewards to them. The government and the Agricultural Extension and Education Organization play a significant role in achieving this goal.