In the lush, rice-fringed landscapes of Mazandaran Province, a critical study is reshaping how we think about agricultural productivity and rural employment. Led by Somayeh Shirzadi Laskookalayeh from the Department of Agricultural Economics at Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University, the research delves into the factors driving the prosperity of rice production—a cornerstone of the region’s economy and a vital player in Iran’s food security.
Mazandaran, often dubbed the “rice bowl” of Iran, produced 1.6 million tons of paddy in 2022, accounting for nearly half of the country’s total output. Yet, despite its prominence, the sector faces challenges in optimizing resource use and boosting productivity. “The inadequacy of the supply of agricultural inputs with the demand for various products of this sector reveals the need for the optimal use of resources and increasing productivity,” Shirzadi Laskookalayeh explains.
The study, published in the journal “Strategies in Agricultural Entrepreneurship” (راهبردهای کارآفرینی در کشاورزی), identifies and prioritizes key factors affecting rice production’s prosperity. Using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method, the research pinpoints water, mechanization, and land as the most critical input factors, with weights of 0.36, 0.2, and 0.14, respectively. “Water has been determined as the most important input affecting the productivity of this product,” Shirzadi Laskookalayeh emphasizes, highlighting the need for measures to promote water storage and reduce consumption.
The research also underscores the importance of management and policy-market factors. Benefiting from agricultural experts’ opinions, implementing optimal crop cultivation patterns, and adopting new technologies emerge as crucial management strategies. Meanwhile, financial, economic options, and improving the marketing structure of rice products are identified as key policy-market subcriteria affecting productivity.
The study’s findings have significant implications for the energy sector, particularly in water management and irrigation systems. With water scarcity becoming an increasingly pressing issue, the research underscores the need for innovative solutions to enhance water use efficiency in rice production. This could open avenues for investments in advanced irrigation technologies and water storage infrastructure, ultimately contributing to sustainable agricultural practices and energy conservation.
Moreover, the research highlights the role of mechanization in boosting productivity. While mechanized cultivation reduces labor costs and saves time, it also increases the uniformity and accuracy of work, minimizing seedling damage. However, Shirzadi Laskookalayeh cautions against ignoring the role of the workforce. “It is recommended to train skilled and specialized human resources to benefit from mechanization for the long-term stability of the rice production business and stable rural employment,” she advises.
The study also employs Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and the Malmquist Index (MI) to measure production efficiency and examine productivity changes over time. The results indicate that the productivity of different rice varieties has increased during the studied period, with the Malmquist Index values of 1.155 and 1.094 for high-quality and high-yielding rice, respectively.
As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change and resource depletion, studies like Shirzadi Laskookalayeh’s offer valuable insights into sustainable agricultural practices. By optimizing resource use and boosting productivity, the research paves the way for a more resilient and prosperous future for Mazandaran’s rice production sector and beyond. The findings not only inform policy decisions but also present commercial opportunities for the energy sector to innovate and invest in sustainable solutions.