Abstract:
The aim of this study was to examine potato growers
' perceptions of risk sources and
risk management strategies and their risk managemen
t behavior. A Survey research
method was used in this study. The data originated
from a sample of potato growers (n=
128) of Ardabil Province in the cropping year of 20
13. The respondents were divided into
two groups of Less Risk-Averse (LRA) and More Risk-
Averse (MRA). Results show that
more than half of the respondents were MRA. In gene
ral, potato price, marketing and
yield were important sources of risk. The MRA farme
rs perceived price, yield, input costs
and subsidy elimination as highly important sources
of risk. Change in farming practices
times, sharing farm machinery and hedging were impo
rtant perceived strategies. LRA
farmers marked more importance to management strate
gies than their counterparts.
Except for a few strategies, there was consistency
between the growers’ perception and
management behavior. The results also show that the
re were significant relationships
between farmers’ perception of strategies and their
application. The results have
implications for agricultural policy makers, extens
ion and advisory services on the brink
of subsidy targeting policy in Iran.
Keywords:
Ardabil, Perception, Potato, Risk management
