Agrarian Industry Research Articles

Лексико-семантичні особливості німецькомовної терміносистеми аграрної сфери

Introduction. The article deals with lexico-semantic and stylistic aspects of the agrarian language specialty, specifies the peculiarities of the use of stylistic means in agrarian texts in German. Purpose is to determine lexico-semantic features of the german-language terminosystem of agrarian sphere. Results. It has been found that the enrichment of the industry's lexical system, in particular terminological units, occurs in two ways. It has been determined that the agro-industrial complex is characterized by a large number of terms that define land-related concepts. They denote the most common concepts of agroeconomic science, which came into existence long before its full development. Such terms are modifications of the original meaning of ordinary common words. In the language of agriculture and the economy of the agro-industrial complex, an important place is occupied by terms, which are the second time in the term system, acquiring updates due to changes in economic, social or political situation. It should be noted that in the new terminological environment they are used together with the clarifying word - adjective land or noun land, so they have already acquired the status of terminological phrases, which are usually used in the mature form. Many common words have become agro-economic terms, combined with the dependent component. However, some of them are recorded in German dictionaries, while others are not. It has been found that the semantics of terminological units also require in-depth research. On the basis of the commonality of the content of a semantically organized system of linguistic units, the semantic fields of terms of this branch in language are formed. The structure of the field outlines the understanding of language as a system of subsystems characterized by interaction and interpenetration. The subsystems of the field are semantic groups - paradigmatically linked units, united by a community of meanings, regardless of belonging to different parts of the language. Various lexical-semantic groups are considered, examples are given. At the present stage of development of agrarian terminology, it has been found that transformational changes in terms of the content of the names under study are often related to the emergence in the semantic structure of a number of terms of individual lexical-semantic groups that refer them to other thematic groups. It is established that the structure of terms of agrarian industry and, in particular, sub-branches of agricultural engineering is represented by two groups: monolex and multilex terms. The terms of mechanical engineering and their division into those between the constituent parts of which are meaningful, copulatory and signifier-copulative relations are considered. It is established that the terms in both languages have a large percentage of borrowings, and each term can be considered by its belonging to lexical-semantic groups, thematic groups, source of origin, primary or secondary nomination, mono- or multilexity, etc. A number of main features of the discourse of the scientific and technical literature of agrarian subjects are determined.It is also determined that the plant term system is marked by a large number of terms-abbreviations or truncated words-terms. Some of the abbreviations (full or partial) are translated into Ukrainian, either directly or through calculations. Acronyms are no less commonly used, the abbreviations formed from the initial letters that are part of a multicomponent name. Acronyms, along with acronyms, are quite common in reducing-contamination formed by the compilation of two bases, which are translated by descriptive method and calculation. It is established that acronyms resulting from the truncation or omission of a part of a word are translated by the method of calculating and explication. It has been found that these short names are used both in writing and in oral language. And most of the shortened German-speaking composites are translated by calculus - by replacing the components with their lexical correspondences, and their full name is translated by explication - explaining the meaning of the word. Conclusion. It is determined that in the agrarian discourse of the German language, such abbreviations are used which have no corresponding in the Ukrainian language, so they are always translated in the full form of the word. It is determined that the discourse of the scientific and technical literature of agrarian subjects has a number of defining features that characterize its thematic orientation and determine the functional features. Among them: truthfulness, scientific creativity, anthropocentrism, seclusion, clear normality, as well as high terminology. There is a large percentage of borrowing terms in both languages. Each term can be considered by its affiliation to LSG, TG, source of origin, primary or secondary nomination, mono- or multilexity, etc. For this reason, unification, selection of scientific term, use of dialect material with consideration of all needs and requirements of terminology are the main tasks of terminology.

ЕКСПОРТНА ОРІЄНТАЦІЯ ТА ПОЄДНАННЯ ГАЛУЗЕЙ СІЛЬСЬКОГОСПОДАРСЬКОГО ВИРОБНИЦТВА В АГРАРНИХ ПІДПРИЄМСТВАХ

The research is devoted to substantiation of theoretical, methodological and practical principles of managing the process of combining agrarian industries. Its practical importance lies in the formulation and implementation of an export-oriented strategy for agricultural enterprises. One of the key factors of increasing agricultural export potential is the sectoral structure of agriculture. The strategic orientation of agricultural enterprises to the foreign market actualizes the combination of agricultural production within one economic unit, and therefore raises the issue of production specialization. Within the framework of scientific analysis of the diversification degree of production activity in accordance with reasonable specialization, deepening of integration processes and cooperation of activity, the agricultural enterprises typology by specialization criterion has been proposed by allocating deeply specialized, specialized and non-specialized enterprises on the basis of setting the parameters of their division of enterprise production market potential and its products. The indicators system of the specialization level of agricultural enterprises, the efficiency criterion of agricultural production specialization are presented. The comparing method the effectiveness of several specialization options in the long run is presented. Strategic directions of rationalization of export orientation processes on the basis of effective commodity specialization and combination of agrarian enterprises branches are revealed. The conclusion is made that the choice of the optimal export-oriented strategy of agricultural enterprises should be evaluated taking into account the advantages of combining the agricultural production branches, their successful combination, adequacy to regional natural and climatic conditions of management. This will allow to realize the influence of agro-climatic and agro-technological potential on the products quality, will provide enterprise competitive advantages by reducing the production cost, which in turn will allow to win price competition in the market. Keywords: agricultural enterprises, specialization, agricultural production, export orientation, competitive advantages.

Territorial Structure and Organization of Agriculture in Tyumen Oblast in 1973 and 2014: Comparative Analysis

The reduction in agricultural areas is a vivid manifestation of the spatial contraction of post-Soviet Russia’s socio-geographical space. Based on a case study of Tyumen oblast, the author examines the changes in the territorial structure of agriculture. He compares agricultural indicators in two time slices: 1973 and 2014. The sources for the work were the 1976 Atlas of Tyumen Oblast, Rosstat statistical materials, and also freely accessible Rosstat data on the accounting statements of enterprises. The results of the study showed that individual elements of the spatial structure of agrarian industry established in the Soviet period have been preserved and reproduced in modern conditions. The transition to the market led to the spatial contraction of agrarian production; however, the structure of sown areas remains close to the early 1960s model, where in terms of farm distribution, the prior cores and confinedness to large landscape and transport axes remain. Major shifts have been revealed in how the contribution of individual territories to gross regional product is distributed. The main revenue in the region’s agricultural sector is concentrated with a small number of agroindustrial enterprises located close to the regional capital. This indicates (1) an increased dependence of the location of production on the accessibility to a large city as a source of qualified personnel and a market outlet, and (2) an altered model of organizing production, towards its greater centralization and strict specialization, as well as a functional distinction between head (processing) and subsidiary (raw materials) companies united in a closed production chain.

Przetwarzanie informacji i danych osobowych w rolnictwie w ramach Big Data

With the development of IT tools and systems, as well as the free transfer, reception, processing and collection of data, the enormous possibilities offered by the analysis of the collected data have been discovered. The agrarian industry is also under the influence of new technologies, which change the existing mechanisms. The use of ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) tools combined with large data sets and the possibility of creating processes and analysis of these data by appropriate software and hardware creates great opportunities for effective shaping of the agrarian industry. Processing agricultural data within Big Data is also associated with risks. The aim of the paper is to present the functioning of new technologies in agriculture, with particular emphasis on information processing in large data sets and to analyse the risks associated with the use of information and personal data in agriculture and to discuss the regulations that reduce these risks.

Agroindustrial Complex in the Eastern European Countries in the Context of Sustainable Development

The research paper deals with the formation of new scientific solutions concerning evaluation of the development of the agroindustrial complex, its role in ensuring sustainable development of the national economy, identifying problems and developing ways to solve them in the current conditions of the functioning of agrarian production in the countries of Eastern Europe. The research emphasizes the key importance of agrarian production to ensure the food and economic security of Eastern European countries. It has been revealed that the agroindustrial complex plays a significant role in the countries of Eastern Europe, especially as concerns Ukraine, Belarus, Poland, Moldova, Bulgaria and Romania. There are problems with the formation of effective state support of agrarian production in the countries selected for study, especially as regards the countries of Eastern Europe, which are not members of the European Union. The methodology for assessing the development of the agroindustrial complex in Eastern European countries was developed and proposed for use, as well as calculations on its basis were made, which allowed to divide all countries of this region into three groups: countries - outsiders (Ukraine, Moldova, Russia); countries, where the development of agrarian industry is of concern (Belarus, Romania, Bulgaria); countries that need to improve the agrarian sector of the national economy (Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland). A complex of agrarian production problems was identified for each of the Eastern European countries, and the key ways of their elimination were proposed, which are aimed at: reforming the market of agricultural land; stimulating the development of farms; increasing efficiency of state support of agrarian production; intensification of development and introduction of innovations in the agrarian sector; the transformation of the structure of the agro commodities market, including the optimization of their export and import.

Структурні реформи в агровиробництві і зовнішня торгівля продовольством: український досвід 1950–1960-х років

The article is devoted to the problem of revealing peculiarities of mutual influence and interdependence of changes in the economic structure of Ukraine and its participation in international economic relations at different stages of historical development. The purpose of the study is to summarize the historical and economic generalization of the experience of structural transformation in domestic agriculture from 1950 to 1960 in the context of foreign trade in food. It was revealed that the political need to resume bread exports after World War II was an important reason for the beginning of the reform of Soviet crisis-hit agriculture. The main directions of reforms are identified, such as the increase of public investments in the development of agrarian industry, reduction of taxes on producers, increase in state procurement prices for agricultural products, expansion of the acreage through the development of virgin lands, sharp increase in corn output, and advanced development of animal husbandry. It was found that the reduction of administrative pressure on producers, their increased material incentives and improvement of technical support of the enterprises caused a temporary economic recovery in the agrarian sector. It is proved that the curtailment of this policy due to the lack of domestic sources of financing and the predominance of extensive forms of management led to a slowdown in the development of agriculture, an increase in its crisis phenomena and the formation of dependence on food imports. Proposals are made on possible directions of using elements of historical experience gained in contemporary economic policy of Ukraine.

Agroindustrial Complex in the Eastern European Countries in the Context of Sustainable Development.

The research paper deals with the formation of new scientific solutions concerning evaluation of the development of the agroindustrial complex, its role in ensuring sustainable development of the national economy, identifying problems and developing ways to solve them in the current conditions of the functioning of agrarian production in the countries of Eastern Europe. The research emphasizes the key importance of agrarian production to ensure the food and economic security of Eastern European countries. It has been revealed that the agroindustrial complex plays a significant role in the countries of Eastern Europe, especially as concerns Ukraine, Belarus, Poland, Moldova, Bulgaria and Romania. There are problems with the formation of effective state support of agrarian production in the countries selected for study, especially as regards the countries of Eastern Europe, which are not members of the European Union. The methodology for assessing the development of the agroindustrial complex in Eastern European countries was developed and proposed for use, as well as calculations on its basis were made, which allowed to divide all countries of this region into three groups: countries - outsiders (Ukraine, Moldova, Russia); countries, where the development of agrarian industry is of concern (Belarus, Romania, Bulgaria); countries that need to improve the agrarian sector of the national economy (Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland). A complex of agrarian production problems was identified for each of the Eastern European countries, and the key ways of their elimination were proposed, which are aimed at: reforming the market of agricultural land; stimulating the development of farms; increasing efficiency of state support of agrarian production; intensification of development and introduction of innovations in the agrarian sector; the transformation of the structure of the agro commodities market, including the optimization of their export and import.

Landscape Agroecology. The Dysfunctionalities of Industrial Agriculture and the Loss of the Circular Bioeconomy in the Barcelona Region, 1956–2009

The paper analyses how between 1956 and 2009 the agrarian metabolism of the Barcelona Metropolitan Region (BMR) has become less functional, losing circularity in biomass flows and in relationship to its landscape. We do so by adopting a Multi-Energy Return on Investment (EROI) and flow-fund (MuSIASEM) analyses and the nexus with landscape functional structure. The study of agricultural flows of Final Produce, Biomass Reused and External Inputs is integrated with that of land use, livestock, power capacity, and population changes between 1956 (at the beginning of agrarian industrialization) and 2009 (fully industrialized agriculture). A multi-scale analysis is conducted at the landscape scale (seven counties within the Barcelona metropolitan region) as well as for the functions deployed, within an agroecosystem, by the mutual interactions between its funds (landscape, land-uses, livestock, and farming population). A complex nexus between land, livestock, dietary patterns, and energy needs is shown; we conclude that, from the perspective of the circular bioeconomy the agrarian sector has gone worse hand in hand with the landscape functional structure. Therefore, a novel perspective in landscape agroecology is opened.

Проблемы развития сельскохозяйственной потребительской кооперации в Чувашской республике на современном этапе

One of the most important forms of management in the agro-industrial complex, which shows high rates of its development, is agricultural consumer cooperation. Statistical data of monitoring of the domestic agrarian industry for 2010-2016 testify to increasing the importance of the subjects of small agribusiness in it. Nowadays it is small forms of farming in the countryside, that currently ensure the production of a significant part of agricultural production. In this regard, there are questions on state support for agricultural consumer cooperatives, as well as on the need to develop strategic plans for the development of agricultural cooperation in the regions.
 The article gives an assessment of the state of modern agricultural consumer cooperation, presents a set of problems, that agricultural consumer cooperatives face in the course of implementing its statutory activities and offers in the state support of such cooperatives, and a plan of measures to stimulate their creation in the territory of the Chuvash Republic for the period 2018-2020 years.

The application of statistical methods in the study of unprofitable organizations’ activities

Unprofitable organizations rarely fall under the monitoring of the economic development of territorial entities. Rather, they are the object of study of forensic economic examination, appointed, for example, to establish the facts of false bankruptcy. Is the unprofitability identical to the failure of investment projects, and is it possible to put an equal sign between these categories and phenomena? Unprofitability of organizations is not always associated with criminal aspects or incompetent management. Often, the reasons can be so independent of managers that one just has to watch how a firm or business rolls down. These are economic reasons, for example, the appearance of powerful competitors-producers or substitute goods; this is also administrative reasons, caused by an imbalance in the relationship between business and government, the needs of officials and the “cashier” of entrepreneurs. In addition, a huge number of organizations, especially in mining and agrarian industries are planned loss-making: it relates to all industrially developed economies in the world. Thus, from the perspective of investment research, the question of their effectiveness and profitability is legitimate. The ratio of planned and unplanned unprofitability is a delicate matter, relative to the budget system. The problematic nature of these issues is manifested, both in theoretical and practical-management aspects. The adoption of any decisions on these issues is impossible without proper and adequate quantification of such a phenomenon in the economy, as the unprofitability of organizations. A comprehensive quantitative assessment is in the competence and theoretical and methodological field of statistical science. It is the application of statistical tools for the study of unprofitable organizations that this research is devoted to, as presented in the article

Agrarian Change, Industrialization and Geopolitics

AbstractThis article takes issue with the common view that the early Turkish Republic (1920-1940) followed a “special” route to modernity characterized by “state capitalism.” It argues that such a view, rooted in theSonderwegparadigm, obscures the historical-comparative specificity of Turkish state formation, leading to problematic conclusions about the character of Turkish modernization. Based on insights derived from Karl Polanyi’s notion of “economistic fallacy” and Political Marxism’s conception of capitalism, I offer a new interpretation of the early Republican project in Turkey, which, in turn, provides a deeper understanding of the social content, tempo and multi-linearity of world historical development.

Sustainability of Governing Structures in Bulgarian Farming Industry

The issue of assessment of absolute and comparative sustainability of major governing structures in agrarian and farming industries is among the most topical issues for researchers, farmers, investors, administrators, politicians, interests groups, and the public worldwide. Despite this issue, practically there are no assessments on the sustainability level of the major types of Bulgarian farming enterprises in the conditions of European Union Common Agricultural Policy implementation. This study applies a holistic framework and assesses the absolute and comparative sustainability of major governing structures in Bulgarian farming industry�unregistered holdings, sole traders, cooperatives, and companies of various types. In this paper, the method of the study is outlined, the inclusion of a novel “governance aspect” of sustainability is justified, and the overall characteristics of the surveyed farming enterprises are presented. Then, the integral, governance, economic, social, and environmental sustainability of the farming structures of different juridical types is assessed. Next, the structure of farming enterprises with different sustainability levels is analyzed. Finally, the conclusion from this study and the directions for further research and amelioration of sustainability assessments are presented.

METHODOLOGICAL INSTRUMENTS FOR FORMING THE MARKETING STRATEGY OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION ECOLOGIZATION

The purpose of the article is the investigation of the nature, objectives, and strategic categories of ecologization marketing strategy, development of algorithm of this strategy and determination of environmental, economic, and ecological instruments of implementation of this strategy in the agricultural sector. Methodology. The basis of the formation of a marketing strategy for the ecologization of agrarian production is the systematic approach, which is based on the existence of implementation mechanisms that ensure system consistency, its purposefulness; interdependence; and complexity of its elements, which determines the integrity of the system; all tasks that execute individual elements of the system are interconnected; system elements and their associated actions have a certain subordination that builds a hierarchy; the system changes under the influence of specific factors, which determines its dynamism; the ability of the system to adapt to the variability of the external environment, while not losing its own individuality. Methods for strategic analysis of macro- and micro-environment factors were used to form the marketing strategy of ecologization. This process involves an analytical evaluation of the parameters of the external and internal environment with the help of general scientific and applied methods of strategic analysis. Results. The article explored the ecologization strategy, presented its objectives in the field of agriculture, the basic categories of strategic directions and implementation of ecologization marketing strategies. An algorithm of environmental marketing strategies in agricultural production is developed, environmental, economic and environmental and economic tools to implement them are determined. Practical implications. It is determined that marketing strategy of ecologization of agrarian production is a strategy of innovative development that can solve problems of economic growth, an increase of competitiveness of the agrarian industry, provide a high quality of life, national security, environmental protection, and high technical level of agricultural production in Ukraine. Value/originality. This marketing strategy is capable of ensuring the principle of unity for economic and ecological processes in the management of agricultural production and promoting radical restructuring of the relationship of the production process from the environment. This strategy takes into account the environmental factor in the economic activities of agrarian enterprises and aims at creating environmental products and services in agricultural production.

Tobacco, Eurasian Trade, and the Early Modern Iranian Economy

This article focuses on the development of the tobacco industry in Iran during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. It uses this discussion as an entry point to inquire about the early modern Iranian economy. Using a wide range of primary and secondary sources, it makes several historiographical interventions. In explaining what the development of a completely new agrarian industry means in Iranian society, the paper suggests that innovation and intensification may not have been completely absent in agriculture and that in contrast to the way some of the available literature tends to argue, the Iranian economy may not have experienced continuous decline in all sectors throughout the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. In addition, this article contends that the tobacco industry helped bring about the rise of merchants and landowners in Iranian society, and with that the further development of mass consumption and ever-increasing cycles of production and accumulation that expanded the commercialization of agriculture, domestic and international trade networks, and Iran's agrarian economy.

Strategic Priorities in Development of the Agro-Industrial Complex of the Krasnodar Region

The paper gives the agro-industrial complex characteristic of the Krasnodar Krai, analyzes the condition of its branches and defines key problems. It emphasizes such strategic development priorities of the agro-industrial complex of the Krasnodar Krai as the reclamation of land, development of the elite seed industry, intensive development of the animal industry, support of the small forms of economic management. The paper also considers the possibilities of the state support for regional agroproducers taking into account the entry of the Russian Federation in the ranks of the World Trade Organization. In compliance with that the paper offers the measures of the state regulation that is aimed to stimulation of key directions of the agrarian industry development of the region where the matter concerns a creation of the logistic basis and formation of the rural cooperation. As an example a model of the contract relations system concerning production, processing and sales of the pig-breeding products between the agricultural organizations, farm enterprises and farms of the population which can be used during the organization of productive processes both in other subsectors of the animal industry and in the branch of the plant industry. There is a conclusion that now a concentration of the state regulation on the oblique support measures for strategic development directions that is capable to provide a stimulation of independent mechanisms of the inner potential of the agro-industrial complex of the Krasnodar Krai. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n5s3p176

Russia and the USA: An Axplanation of Necessity of Sanctions as Participants of the World Trade Organization

The analysis of consequences of the introduction of the Russian Federation in the World Trade Organization (WTO), first of all in agricultural aspect is carried out. The question of provision of food safety of the Russian Federation in a context of an estimation of consequences of accession to WTO is researched. It is shown that the expected effect of joining to the WTO has as a whole negative connotation, especially with reference to agrarian sphere of economy that proves to be true the historical data characterising consequences of accession to WTO of the state nearest to Russia - Ukraine. After occurrence in a railroad train of the WTO production of some names of agricultural goods has decreased and in such areas as sugar production - is considerable. Considering similarity of considerable number of economic realities in Russia and in Ukraine, it is possible to assume that joining to the WTO will have for Russia more likely negative a consequence than positive at average and long-term prospect while in near-term prospect to estimate all consequences it is represented inconvenient. At the same time there is also an opposite point of view that joining to the WTO will give Russia a conclusive economic prize, including, in agrarian industry. The clause is devoted an actual problem for today of economic sanctions by pushed participants of the World Trade Organization - the USA and Russia. In the clause the problem urgency is proved. Necessity of sanctions is specified from the United States of America and response measures of the Russian Federation are designated. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n3s7p275

The Main Labor-Forming Factors and the Assessment of Labor Efficiency in Agriculture (By the Example of Kemerovo Oblast)

Abstract: A system of factors that affect the formation of labor resources is considered. At present, quite unrelated indicators that reflect individual aspects of the labor potential are used to characterize labor efficiency. In new economic environment, it is necessary to elaborate a system of indicators that would more fully reflect the use of labor. Keywords: labor resources, efficiency, competitive labor compensation, nominal compensation, criterion, labor productivity, demography UDC 331.53:631 DOI 10.12737/4143 INTRODUCTION The reorganization of ownership patterns and the formation of a mixed economy in the agrarian sector require adequate changes in labor relations. An important cause of the production decline in the agrarian sector was the inability of the rural population to adapt to market conditions due to its specific mentality. The substantial drop in overall production and the deterioration of the demographic situation have led to a decrease in the absolute number of employees and, what is more important, to changes in their qualitative composition. In our opinion, an increase in the performance of the agrarian industry is primarily determined by the availability of highly professional and economically competent human resources who are able to use new technologies in production. We see a decrease in real labor compensations of agricultural producers, late payments, unpaid vacations, dismissals, and reduced productivity and labor motivation. The goal is to propose and substantiate a system of labor-forming factors and to assess the efficiency of labor. The development of market mechanisms in the agrarian sector in the absence of efficient state incentives for agricultural producers has led to deterioration in socioeconomic conditions in the industry and in rural communities as a whole. Thus, it is necessary to analyze in detail the existing situation and to elaborate measures of increasing efficiency in the use of labor. Market relations introduce changes to the organization, distribution, and use of labor, which manifest themselves in different ways in agricultural businesses of different forms of incorporation. At present, agricultural production practices require new approaches to make the use of labor efficient. We used data of the Russian Federal State Statistics Service and the Kemerovo oblast territorial statistics body for our analysis. The paper employs the following methods: - economic–statistical; - monographic; and - abstract–logical [8].

The canal system and Tiber delta at Portus. Assessing the nature of man-made waterways and their relationship with the natural environment

Results of the ongoing archaeological survey and excavations at Portus and the surrounding hinterland of the Tiber delta have revealed a system of large artificial canals and associated structures relating to the Imperial and Late Antique port, and associated agrarian practice and secondary industries practiced in the delta area. These man-made features have demonstrable links to the geomorphology of the Tiber delta, with canals making use of the dune cordons and variations in the sediments across the wetland. The methodology used to map the archaeological and geomorphological features in the study area has included topographic survey, geophysical survey, using magnetometry, and Ground Penetrating Radar, and analysis of air photographic evidence together with other sources of data including satellite imagery. To these non-intrusive techniques have been added borehole data collected by colleagues as part of the Portus Project (www.portusproject.org), and evidence for canal and waterfront construction relating to excavation at the site of Portus. This paper presents a detailed methodology of the fieldwork to date, and assesses some of the preliminary results of the archaeological survey, focusing on evidence for the system of large canals linking the port with the river Tiber, and the Tiber to the coast. It also focuses upon a reassessment of some of the canal features by comparing coring evidence collected during the excavation seasons at Portus by colleagues at the CNRS-Lyon with results of the geophysical survey. The paper also advances possible avenues for future investigation and research, and draws upon the results of the survey to provide an overview of evidence for the organization of land in the delta and wetland surrounding the port complex, including a system of smaller canals and land divisions.

An exploration of tourist motivation in rural settings: The case of Troodos, Cyprus

Following the decline of traditional agrarian industries, tourism has become one of the most popular rural development strategies adopted by destinations. Rural tourism has been regarded for years as a means of economic and social development in rural areas; particularly, in destinations where tourism has been concentrated in coastal areas, rural tourism development has been considered as a means of diversification of the tourism product. The popularity of tourism as a means of development in rural areas is reflected in academic research; nevertheless, vagueness still exists over what constitutes rural tourism. Whilst several studies have been undertaken investigating the reasons for rural tourism development, little is known about what attracts visitors to rural areas. The aim of this research paper is to enhance understanding of rural tourism by examining rural tourists' motivations. Qualitative research, in the form of unstructured interviews, was performed with both the supply-side and the demand-side sectors of the Cyprus tourism industry to identify the factors that motivate people to visit rural areas. Research findings reveal that different types of rural tourists exist as respondents expressed different levels of interaction with the rural environment and varying interest in rural activities. Also, it was found that people travel to rural areas for various reasons, whereby often the main motivation is not related to the rural setting. Hence, the findings verify the complexity of defining rural tourism and create implications for tourism planners and managers regarding the interaction of destination-specific and personal-specific attributes in attracting tourists to rural settings.

Sericulture extension structural equation modeling to revitalizing silkworm cocoon production in Iranian sericulturists’ view

Sericulture as an agrarian small-scale industry suits both marginal and small land holders because of its high returns, and it creates opportunity for family employment. Iran has long history in cocoon and silk production, but the demand for rearing silkworm during recent years has had a significant reduction. This study examines sericulture extension as a strategy for revitalizing silkworm cocoon production from sericulturists’ view in Iran. Research methodology applied in this study was a combination of descriptive-analytical and quantitative methods and statistical methods included correlation and multiple regression analysis as data processing methods along with structural equation modeling (SEM). Sample size included 316 sericulturists in Iran. The results of structural equation modeling have appeared that effective training is the most important effective factor on revitalizing silkworm cocoon production. Marketing had most effect on attitude about extension. The method of acquiring sericulture information had effect on effective training. The effective training had effect on presenting technologies and participation and also the method of acquiring sericulture information had effect on effective factors of technologies adoption. On the basis of structural model, we can conclude that extension education is necessary for revitalizing silkworm cocoon production in Iran, human capital development and to mobilize sericulturists with valuable knowledge and technology through the formation of partnerships. Key words: Structural equation modeling (SEM), sericulture extension, revitalization, Iran.