Assessment of Sustainability Trend of Apicultural Industry: Evidence from Beekeepers in Iran

Document Type : Original Research

Authors
M. K. Rahimi 1
E. Abbasi 1
M. Bijani 1
G. Tahmasbi 2
A. Azimi Dezfouli 3
1 Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
2 Animal Science Research Institute (ASRI), Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Islamic Republic of Iran.
3 Agricultural Planning, Economic and Rural Development Research Institute (APERDERI), Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
10.22034/JAST.27.1.63
Abstract
This study was designed to analyze the sustainability trend of the apicultural industry. The present investigation was conducted with a focus on quantitative aspects and employed the methodology of quantitative-qualitative trend analysis. The statistical population consisted of all beekeepers in Iran. Using multi-stage random sampling method, 453 beekeepers were selected and studied as a sample. The primary instrument employed to gather data is a questionnaire developed by the researcher. The sustainability of Iran's apiculture industry was evaluated based on four environmental, economic, social, and institutional dimensions. The evaluation of the beekeeping industry's sustainability in terms of the environmental aspect involved the assessment of eleven criteria across two categories, both of which exhibited a declining trend. Sustainability was evaluated in the form of 24 criteria and 5 categories in the economic aspect, of which two categories had a negative trend and three categories had a positive trend. The assessment of the social aspect's sustainability was conducted through examination of 19 criteria organized into three distinct categories. These categories represented different trends: one with a negative trend category, another with a stable trend category, and the third with a positive trend category. Finally, sustainability of the institutional dimension was evaluated by 16 criteria in the form of 3 categories, and all three categories had a negative trend. Therefore, reforming the process of environmental and institutional criteria shall be of priority for the planners and policy makers of Iran's apiculture industry. The results of this study can be used as basic information in the foresight of the beekeeping industry, the preparation of the vision document, as well as the strategic planning of the development of this industry.

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References
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Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology
Volume 27, Issue 1
January and February 2025
Pages 63-79