Analysis of the Capabilities and limitations of the Agricultural Sector in East Azarbaijan to Achieve the Sustainability

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Abstract

Sustainable agriculture pursues three main objectives of environmental health, economic profitability and social and economic equality and in the long run, improves the quality of the environment and natural resources. In order for agriculture to move towards sustainable development, its concepts and details in the agricultural sector must be understood in a practical and real sense, which can be achieved through desirable studies and the recognition of potentialities and constraints in different regions. Identifying strategies in the agricultural sector is necessary to counter threats and address weaknesses, on the other hand, to strengthen the system and make use of opportunities. In this paper, the aim is to determine the capabilities and limitations of the agricultural sector of East Azarbaijan province in order to be sustainable using the SWOT model. The research method is a descriptive-survey research in terms of objective, applied and based on nature. The statistical population of this research is experts who have sufficient knowledge and experience in agricultural fields. In order to select the statistical sample, a non-probabilistic and targeted sampling method was used. The results showed that among the strengths of "the existence of good agricultural development capacity in the province for stability" with a weight of 3.95 and "diversity of vegetation in the region" with a weight of 3.67, the most important strengths and weaknesses The weaknesses of "lack of adequate supervision over the allocation and utilization of excess water resources" with a weight of 4.17 and a "shortage of conversion and supplementary industries in the region" with a weight of 4.07 are the most important weaknesses for the development of the sector. Agriculture in the East Azarbaijan Province. Also, the priorities of "Agricultural priority in terms of food security in the national program" weighing 4 and "the possibility of taking advantage of technical and national and international technical assistance" with a weight of 3.97. The most probable time and place among the threats is "increasing the probability of occurrence of drought" with a weight of 4.90 and "Reduction of active population in agriculture in rural areas" with a weight of 4.2 million. The most important threats for the development of agricultural sector in East Azarbaijan province in the direction of sustainability. The results of the internal and external factors evaluation matrices indicated that, considering the final score obtained for the internal and external factors of agricultural development strategies in East Azarbaijan, is a W-O strategy.

 

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