Introduction and Theoretical Framework
The adoption of improved horticultural cultivars is crucial for enhancing agricultural productivity and food security. However, Iran faces a significant research-practice gap, where the innovations developed by research institutions are not being effectively applied at the farm level. Although Iran’s Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO) has introduced over 70 new horticultural cultivars in recent years, evidence from rural areas indicates that these varieties have failed to achieve significant cultivation levels (Abyar et al., 2018). This disconnect represents a critical challenge, as the effective transfer of agricultural research is essential for increasing yield, improving crop quality, and ensuring food security (Shahpasand, 2017). The failure to bridge this gap has severe consequences. The substantial investment in research becomes inefficient if the resulting innovations are not adopted, leading to a waste of financial and human resources and fostering distrust between farmers and researchers (Heidari Soreshjani et al., 2016). This ultimately hinders technological growth and the nation’s overall agricultural development. Given the high annual expenditure on agricultural research in Iran, this study is essential to diagnose the barriers preventing the diffusion of these valuable cultivars. This research is theoretically grounded in Rogers’ (2003) Diffusion of Innovations Theory, focusing on the initial “Knowledge” and “Persuasion” stages and the perceived attributes of innovations, such as their compatibility with local climate conditions (Aryal et al., 2022).
Purpose and objectives
The primary objective is to identify and analyze barriers to the dissemination and adoption of new horticultural cultivars from the perspectives of extension experts and farmers in Iran. A secondary objective is to propose effective, evidence-based solutions.
Methods and Data Sources
This study employed a survey research design in nine strategic provinces of Iran. The statistical population of this study consisted of orchardists in the selected provinces, as well as extension field experts and agricultural extension coordination managers in the Agricultural Jihad Organizations of the selected provinces. The research population included 550 experts and approximately 5,650 orchardists in the studied provinces.
Using a stratified random sampling method, a sample of 709 farmers and 231 experts was selected. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS software. The content validity was confirmed based on the expert opinions of agricultural extension and education specialists, and its reliability was calculated with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.93. After collecting the data, for the analysis of the “barriers and solutions” section, an expert group from each province was used to review and categorize the data over two rounds. In the first round, they categorized the high-frequency data. In the second round, they weighted them, and based on the obtained weights, they determined the rankings and priorities.
For the weighting, experts were asked to assign an “importance score” for each barrier and solution on a scale of (1 = very low; 2 = low; 3 = medium; 4 = high; 5 = very high). (This importance score represents the factor’s level of impact on the entire system’s performance).
Next, the mean score for each item was divided by the overall mean (of all items) to derive the “importance coefficient.” Finally, this mean score was multiplied by its “importance coefficient” to obtain the “weighted score,” which represents the overall effect of that component.
|
Provinces |
Experts Number |
Farmers Number |
Products |
|
West Azerbaijan |
18 |
24 |
Apple |
|
Qazvin |
20 |
56 |
Grapes |
|
Fars |
10 |
116 |
Almond, Olive |
|
Isfahan |
10 |
64 |
Quince, Apple |
|
South of Kerman |
40 |
66 |
Melon, Spinach |
|
Zanjan |
9 |
42 |
Olive |
|
Semnan |
3 |
73 |
Apricot |
|
Gilan |
47 |
165 |
Hazelnut |
|
Kerman |
38 |
63 |
Walnut |
|
East Azerbaijan |
33 |
178 |
Almond, Apricot |
|
Total |
231 |
709 |
|
Table 1. Statistical population and number of horticultural product samples
Findings and Conclusions
The survey results indicate that access to updated information on new cultivars remains limited, as 63% of experts reported not receiving such information within one year of introduction. Furthermore, 64% stated that no training sessions are organized following the release of new cultivars. However, once experts do receive the necessary information, 61% of them conduct training sessions to inform and guide farmers about the new varieties, Figure1.
Figure1. Summary of expert responses on access to information and training related to new cultivars
The results show that a majority of horticultural farmers are well-informed and positive toward improved crop varieties. About 54% of them reported receiving information about new varieties on time, while 56% believed that these new varieties are superior to traditional ones. Moreover, 59% expressed a clear willingness to adopt and cultivate these improved varieties once they become aware of them, indicating a generally favourable attitude toward innovation and modernization in horticultural production, Figure2.
Figure2. Summary of farmers’ responses on access, perception, and willingness to adopt new cultivars.
Most farmers (40%) receive information through agricultural service centers, followed by training programs (33%), extension publications (17%), and virtual media (10%), Figure3.
Figure 3. Main sources of information used by farmers to learn about new horticultural varieties.
Ranking Barriers to the Cultivation of Improved Horticultural Cultivars
Based on the results, barriers were classified into four categories: informational, economic, knowledge-based, and managerial. The most significant barriers to cultivating improved horticultural cultivars are periodic and long-term cultivar shortages, lack of model orchards to familiarize operators with new cultivars, lack of brochures or publications introducing new cultivars in nurseries, lack of educational films about introducing new cultivars, absence of credit facilities for purchasing cultivars being planted and low scientific and practical knowledge among experts and extension agents.
|
Category |
Barriers |
Importance Score (1=Very Low; 2=Low; 3=Medium; 4=High; 5=Very High) |
Importance Coefficient |
Weighted Score |
|
Informational |
Lack of brochures or publications introducing new cultivars in nurseries |
4 |
0.097 |
0.38 |
|
Lack of educational films about introducing new cultivars |
4 |
0.097 |
0.38 |
|
|
Economic |
Absence of credit facilities for purchasing cultivars being planted |
4 |
0.097 |
0.38 |
|
Knowledge-based |
Lack of access to the cultivars’ supplementary needs (e.g., required fertilizers, planting equipment) |
1 |
0.024 |
0.02 |
|
Lack of precise study of cultivars in different regions and climates to observe their productivity |
3 |
0.073 |
0.21 |
|
|
Experts’ failure to accurately assess the full advantages and disadvantages of new vs. old cultivars |
3 |
0.073 |
0.21 |
|
|
Low scientific and practical knowledge among experts and extension agents |
4 |
0.097 |
0.38 |
|
|
Managerial |
Lack of communication with leading countries on these issues |
2 |
0.048 |
0.09 |
|
Lack of a basic strategy for direct producer-to-consumer sales without intermediaries |
3 |
0.073 |
0.21 |
|
|
Lack of follow-up on operator issues and problems after new cultivars enter production |
4 |
0.073 |
0.21 |
|
|
Periodic and long-term cultivar shortages |
5 |
0.12 |
0.6 |
|
|
Lack of model orchards to familiarize operators with new cultivars |
5 |
0.12 |
0.6 |
|
|
Total |
41 |
1 |
3.74 |
|
Ranking of Solutions for the Cultivation of New Improved Horticultural Cultivars
Based on the results, solutions were categorized into three groups: supportive, incentive-based, and communicational. Solutions such as establishing model orchards with new cultivars to familiarize growers with them, free seeds for trial cultivation, visits to successful model orchards.
|
Category |
Solutions |
Importance Score (1=Very Low; 2=Low; 3=Medium; 4=High; 5=Very High) |
Importance Coefficient |
Weighted Score |
|
Supportive |
Close communication with and observation of leading countries |
2 |
0.04 |
0.09 |
|
Increasing public investment in agricultural innovation through responsible national-level institutions |
4 |
0.09 |
0.37 |
|
|
Supporting farmers with low-interest (low-return) or grant-based credit |
4 |
0.09 |
0.37 |
|
|
Conducting multiple training classes on the cultivation of new cultivars |
3 |
0.06 |
0.20 |
|
|
Raising the scientific and practical knowledge level of experts through necessary visits to leading regions |
3 |
0.06 |
0.20 |
|
|
Establishing model orchards with new cultivars to familiarize growers with them |
5 |
0.1 |
0.58 |
|
|
Incentive-based |
Free seeds for trial cultivation |
5 |
0.1 |
0.58 |
|
Visits to successful model orchards at the national level |
5 |
0.1 |
0.58 |
|
|
Distributing extension publications introducing new cultivars to nurseries and displaying brochures (introducing new cultivars) in view of seedling buyers |
3 |
0.06 |
0.20 |
|
|
Distributing educational publications |
3 |
0.06 |
0.20 |
|
|
Communicational |
Timely information dissemination about newly introduced cultivars |
3 |
0.06 |
0.20 |
|
Creating accessible social networks for all farmers regarding agricultural technology and information on high-yield cultivars |
3 |
0.06 |
0.20 |
|
|
Total |
43 |
1 |
3.44 |
|
Theoretical and practical implications and recommendations|
This research empirically confirms a profound research-practice gap in Iran’s horticultural sector. To address this, an “integrated management approach” is proposed, requiring a more dynamic and inclusive innovation system (Klerkx & Begemann, 2020):
- Strengthening Communication and Training (Targeting Knowledge & Persuasion): Utilize digital platforms for rapid dissemination to enhance farmer knowledge (Westermann et al., 2021). Focus training content on the relative advantage and compatibility of new cultivars to effectively persuade farmers, leveraging social networks and trusted peers to build confidence (Ma & Abdulai, 2021).
- Developing Technical and Demonstration Infrastructure (Targeting Trialability & Observability): Establish a network of “model orchards” and “demonstration farms” to increase the observability of results. Provide small-scale seed/seedling packages to improve trialability. Create certified “mother orchards” to ensure a reliable supply of high-quality seedlings.
- Providing Economic and Supportive Measures (Reducing Risk at the Decision Stage): Offer “lowinterest credit” and “subsidies” for purchasing certified seedlings. Create “guaranteed markets” for produce from new cultivars to mitigate the economic risks associated with adoption.
Keywords: Horticultural Cultivars, Adoption Barriers, Innovation Diffusion, Farmer Perceptions, Agricultural Extension
References
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Aryal, J. P., Rahut, D. B., & Maharjan, S. (2022). Factors influencing the adoption of climate-resilient farming practices in the Indo-Gangetic Plains of India. Land Use Policy, 113, 105919.
Heidari Soreshjani, S., Mobasheri, M., Darbas, F., & Kazemi, A. (2016). A survey on the existing barriers in preparing, implementing and applying research findings from the perspective of faculty members and experts active in the research field. Journal of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, 18(1), 72-81.
Rogers, E. M. (2003). Diffusion of innovations (5th ed.). Free Press.
Klerkx, L., & Begemann, S. (2020). The contribution of publicly funded agricultural innovation projects to food system transformation: A framework for a more dynamic and inclusive evaluation. Global Food Security, 26, 100455. https : / /doi . org/10.1016/ j . gfs .2020.100455
Ma, W., & Abdulai, A. (2021). The role of social networks in the adoption of agricultural technology:
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545–562. https://doi.org/10.1111/agec.12637
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