Evaluation and Prioritization of Strategies to Improve the Current Situation of the Agricultural Sector of Mazandaran Province Using the Fuzzy TOPSIS Method

Extended Abstract Background: The recent developments of human societies in terms of population growth, science and technology, and environmental issues have doubled the importance of the agricultural sector. The importance of paying attention to the strategies of the agricultural sector in development plans is due to the increasing importance of this sector in the national economy of Iran. In the meantime, Mazandaran province has been considered an agricultural hub for a long time due to its rainfall and fertile soil. To realize the development of the agricultural sector, identifying the challenges and potentials facing this sector seems to be one of the important factors. This study aims to identify the current situation and determine the challenges, strategies, and solutions for the development of the agricultural sector and their prioritization in Mazandaran province. Methods: Considering the capabilities of producing agricultural products in the province, in this study, the challenges and explanations of sustainable agriculture development mechanisms and strategies were discussed in the most important sub-sectors of agriculture and horticulture, animal husbandry, and fisheries. Data were collected by completing a questionnaire from users and experts in 2018. The options were weighted according to economic, social, environmental, and technical criteria, and infrastructure as the most key aspects of sustainable development. The strategies were ranked using the TOPSIS Fuzzy method. Results: Mazandaran province has the first rank in the production of citrus fruits, rice, kiwi, ornamental seedlings, olive seedlings, oyster mushrooms, fodder plants, white meat, and day-old chickens, which shows the high potential of this province in providing food for the country. Based on the studies, farmers in the future will have to deal with issues such as competition in the market, reducing budgets, risk management, combating climate change, water management, and using the opportunities that have arisen due to the existence of demand in the field of bio-energy along with the conservation of various species. The transformation and diversity of agricultural products, changing consumer tastes, the need to increase efficiency, the globalization of the economy, and the intensification of global competition are among the factors that have caused more emphasis on knowledge-based agriculture. Based on the results, the main and important challenges of the agricultural sector in Mazandaran province include non-implementation of the land preparation document, weak economic, social, and managerial attitudes toward the agricultural position of the province at the national level, lack of participation and sufficient investment of the private sector, and lack of infrastructure. To develop agriculture according to the new conditions, there is a weakness in the integrated management of knowledge and information in the agricultural sector according to the needs of the province and non-compliance with the optimal cultivation pattern due to the effects of climate change. The results showed that the strategy (providing credit services for equipping and modernizing production methods) in the cultivation and gardening sector was given the highest priority with a final score of 0.47. In the livestock, poultry, and fisheries sectors, the strategies (export development and entry into global markets) and (aquaculture development), with final scores of 0.57 and 0.68, obtained the highest amount, respectively, and were ranked first. Conclusion: To realize the goals of the agricultural sector development in the province, the development of knowledge-based companies is emphasized in this study. From this point of view, the agricultural commission of the provincial chamber of commerce can try to speed up the development of these technologies and capacities in the provinces in the form of a resolution. Solutions such as the use of agricultural researchers and graduates and support and development of transformation and complementary industries of agricultural products are suggested according to the results of this research. Although there are fertile lands and suitable climates in most areas of the province for a variety of agricultural and garden crops, there is a serious threat to the products with relative advantage and necessary in the province with the change of cultivation patterns toward inappropriate crops and even changes in use from agriculture to other activities. In this context, "laws limiting the change of land use" are considered necessary. The low productivity in the agricultural sector due to old and inappropriate technologies, which also leads to an increase in the total cost, causes the low quality and the high price of products. Considering the excessive import of agricultural and horticultural products, the government should take an important step in the development of this sector by "providing credit services for equipping and modernizing production methods in the agriculture and horticulture sectors." One of the most important threats, especially in recent years, has been the reduction of fodder due to climate changes, as well as the lack of access to some imported inputs because of economic sanctions. Accordingly, a solution such as "investment to produce high-yielding and resistant varieties of forage plants" can be presented through the existence of study and research institutions. Moreover, the country is prone to the threat resulting from the reduced consumption of livestock products including dairy products, a reason for which can be the increase in the price of these products. Therefore, the strengths such as the presence of favorable conditions in the province and having the top ranks in producing livestock products, can be utilized to present the strategy of "optimizing production and reducing the cost of products" to deal with the aforementioned threat.