Management Strategies of Agricultural Production Units to Deal with Ecological Changes of Urmia Lake (Case Study: Azar Shahr)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Abstract

Climate change and global warming has caused environmental problems in many areas of the world. The critical situations of Urmia Lake resulted from these factors, also improper management of human and natural resources, Therefore, had a significant impact on agricultural business. If the farmers don’t have the capacity for dealing with the risks posed by climate change, irreparable damages to the agriculture sector will be entered. So identify management strategies in the agricultural division to deal with the threats and eliminate weaknesses and strengthen the system and opportunities is essential. This research in the Azar-Shahr region as one of the important agricultural areas in East Azarbaijan province, In order to identify the strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats, as internal and  external environment of agricultural production unit in the face of ecological changes in Lake Urmia was carried out. This research in terms of goal is applied and methodology is Descriptive and analytical. The statistical society will comprise experts in the field of agriculture and the status of the Urmia Lake with sufficient knowledge and experience. Reagard to select the samples, non-probability and purposive method was used. Targeted selecting of samples as snowball sampling method was utilized. In this study, the SWOT model was used to analyze strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, and IEF and EFE matrix formation and development of strategies was conducted. Based on the results, management strategies, and so proper and compatible patterns with the ecological and climatic condition were determined.
 

Keywords


Astani S, Lorestani B, Cheraghi M and Ranjbar Zarabi A. 2011. Study of tourism and ecotourism in wetlands as masterpieces of creation. National conference on Tourism and Sustainable Development. Hamedan Azad University. (In Persian).
Burns N and Grove S. 2001. The Practice of Nursing Research: Conduct, Critique and Utilization. 4th Edition. Philadelphia: WB Saunders.
Bryman A. 1989. Research Methods and Organization Studies. London: Unwin Hyman.
Cavallo E, Galiani S, Noy I and Juan P. 2010. Catastrophic Natural Disasters and Economic Growth. IDB Working Paper Series IDB-WP-183. Washington, D. C.: Inter-American Development Bank.
Ganjali S, Ghasemi H and Hosseini Qomi M. 2014. Environmental and Strategic Analysis of Integrated Management Program of Urmia Lake Basin. Quarterly Journal of Wetland Ecosystems, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz Branch, 6 (22): 41-48.
Golkar K. 2005. Applicability of SWOT analytical technique for application in urban design. Journal of  Soffeh, 15:44-65. (In Persian).
Heaven S, Koloskov GB, Lock AC and Tanton T W. 2002. Water Resource Management in the Aral Basin: A River Basin Management Model for Syr Darya. Natural Resources and Infrastructure Division, United Nation, Santiago Chile.
Hsu CH and Sandford BA. 2007. The Delphi Technique: Making Sense of Consensus. Practical Assessment, Research and Evaluation, 12 (10): 1-8.
Landeta J. 2006. Current Validity of the Delphi Method in Social Sciences. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 73 (5): 467-482.
McKenna H, Hasson F and Smith M. 2002. A Delphi Survey of Midwives and Midwifery Students to Identify Non-Midwifery Duties. Midwifery, 18 (4): 314-322.
Mitchell VM. 1991. The Delphi technique: an exposition and application, Technology Analysis & Strategic Management, 3 (4): 333.
Moradi Masihi V. 2002. Strategic Planning in Metropolitan Cities, Urban Planning and Publication, Tehran, First Edition. (In Persian).
Nazari Doost A. 2002. Protection of Wetlands; Adapting to climate change, conservation of Iranian wetlands project, World Wetlands Day, Bulletin7. (In Persian).
Nouri J, Karbassi A and Mirkia S. 2008. Environmental Management of Coastal Regions in the Caspian Sea. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 5 (1): 43-52.
Okoli C and Pawlowski SD. 2004.The Delphi Method as a Research Tool: an Example, Design Considerations and Applications. Information and Management, 42 (1): 15-29.
Pezeshki Rad G and Modir Shanechi M. 2000. Measurement and Analysis in Descriptive Research. Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Research and Development Research Organization, Tehran. (In Persian).
Powell C. 2003. The Delphi Technique: Myths and Realities. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 41 (4): 376–382.
Rachid G and Fadel ME. 2013 .Comparative SWOT Analysis of Strategic Environmental Assessment Systems in the Middle East and North Africa Region. Journal of Environmental Management, 125: 85–93.
Salimi Torkmani H. 2011. Surveying the environmental problem of Lake Urmia in terms of international environmental law. Strategic Quarterly, 20: 117-202. (In Persian).
Sasanpour F, Sadiq M and Dadashz-e Zadeh A. 2012. Evaluation of Human Hazards in Environmental Crisis of Lake Urmia. 2nd national conference on combating desertification and sustainable Development of Iran's Desert Mines. (In Persian).
Smalley SW and Retallick MS. 2011. Purposes, Activities, and Documentation of Early Field Experience in Agricultural Teacher Education: A National Delphi Study, Journal of Agricultural Education, 52 (3): 100-109.
Walters D and Shrubsole D. 2003. Agricultural Drainage and Wetland Management in Ontario, Journal of Environmental Management, 69: 369–379.
Wetland International (WI). 2005. http:// www.wetlands.org.
Windle PE. 2004. Delphi Technique: Assessing Component Needs. Journal of Perianesth Nurs, 19 (1).