Compilation and Validation of Indicators for Zoning the Production Areas Covered by Rural District's Agricultural-Jahad Centers in Iran

The New Agricultural Extension System Plan implemented in 2016 as a national program by the Ministry of Agriculture-Jahad in Iran. One of the most important pillars of this plan was the zoning of production areas. The objective of zoning was to divide the area covered by each agricultural jahad center into several zones and assign a dedicated extension agent to each zone. Despite the initial well-defined goals, the implementation phase faced several challenges due to the lack of consideration for scientific and standardized criteria. Therefore, the primary objective of this research is to develop a set of standardized and appropriate indicators for the zoning of production areas covered by agricultural jahad centers. The population under study encompassed the entire workforce employed within the agricultural extension network of Iran, totaling 8097 individuals. To determine the sample size, Cochran's formula employed, and stratified random sampling utilized to determine the sample size for each province. The necessary data collected through a questionnaire, with the participation of 410 experts and managers from the agricultural extension network. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including mean, standard deviation, coefficient of variation, one-sample t-test, and the EDAS method, used for the validation and prioritization of indicators. Based on the research findings, 20 indicators identified and prioritized as suitable criteria for the zoning of production areas. These indicators can serve as a scientific basis for developing national zoning guidelines, optimizing the allocation of resources in agricultural extension centers, monitoring changes, and strengthening evidence-based policymaking in rural and agricultural development programs.