Geography

Geography

Explaining the Performance of Agricultural Production Cooperatives in the Development of Villages in Savojbolagh County

Authors
Elham Flahatkar 1
Nasrolah Molaei Hashjin 2
Mohammadbaset Ghoreyshi 3
Akbar Motamedi Mehr 4
1 PhD student in Geography and Rural Planning, Rasht Branch.Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran.
2 Professor of Geography and Rural Planning,, Rasht Branch.Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran.
3 Assistant Professor of Geography and Rural Planning,,Rasht Branch. Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran.
4 Assistant Professor of Geography and Rural Planning,, Rasht Branch. Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran.
Abstract
Extended Abstract
Introduction
Agricultural production cooperatives are an appropriate approach to achieve economic and social development and the realization of social justice. These companies are a good tool for improving agricultural conditions in terms of redistributing the benefits of agricultural sector growth, increasing job opportunities, developing people's participation, paying attention to rural women, lowering investment risk in agriculture, reducing production costs, and others
Explaining the performance of agricultural production cooperatives in the development of villages in Savojbolagh city was considered as the main goal of the study.

Methodology
Descriptive-analytical method was used to conduct this research. The statistical population included 708 cooperative villagers and cooperative managers. The sample size was estimated to be 250 for the survey using a questionnaire based on the Cochran method. This study was conducted as a case study in 28 villages with cooperatives. Data analysis method was the use of qualitative statistics (calculation of frequency, frequency percentage, weight average and deviation from the criteria of the questionnaire items) and the use of inferential statistics (chi-square test to test research hypotheses and Wilcoxon test to compare the results obtained from Surveys have been on the performance of agricultural production cooperatives before and after their establishment). The research area was villages with cooperative companies in Savojbolagh County of Alborz province.
Results and discussion: Agricultural production cooperatives, however, have been effective in increasing the participation, cooperation and teamwork of the villagers; However, due to the fact that the weight average was below the average in most of the items studied, this participation was not very tangible. According to the results of the Wilcoxon statistical test, the agricultural sector in the time after the establishment of the agricultural production cooperative was faced with more favorable conditions than before the establishment. In addition, it was found that the mean weighted values ​​of most of the items studied in the field of survival of the population of villages with agricultural cooperatives were less than the average of 3. Therefore, the activities of these cooperatives have not had much effect on increasing or maintaining the rural population.

Conclusion
Agricultural cooperatives have the ability to solve operational problems such as employment development, financing and expansion of mechanization of agricultural activities, but due to the economic weakness of the village and the limited resources and infrastructure in these areas, they have not had acceptable performance.

Keywords
Agricultural Cooperatives
Participation
Agricultural Production
Population Survival
Savojbolagh Rural Areas

Subjects

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Geography
Volume 19, Issue 70
Autumn2021, pp 1-173.
Autumn 2021
Pages 1-19