Sustainable agricultural attitudes and behaviors: a gender analysis of Iranian farmers

Abstract

This article presents the findings of a study that compares the perspectives of male and female rice farmers in Kazeroon, Iran concerning environmental sustainability. The study site was selected because the region is a major agricultural producer and because rural women have a significant role in agricultural and horticultural production as well as contributing financially to the household with non-agricultural activities. Personal interviews, questionnaires with open-ended and closed questions, and field observations were used to obtain data. Four villages were selected based on female participation in agricultural production. The villages of Fatabad and Amrabad were selected because women were very active in agricultural production. The villages of Anarestan and Amoee were chosen because women tend to be less involved. From those four villages, 181 households were randomly selected to participate in interviews. Men and women were interviewed separately, resulting in a total of 362 interviews that were conducted. The results from the study demonstrated that female farmers have a more positive attitude about sustainability, implying that the adoption of sustainable agricultural methods could have an increased chance of success if women's attitudes and potential impacts are addressed.