تحلیل تمایل کشاورزان نسبت به پذیرش نهاده‌های زیستی (مورد مطالعه: شهرستان باغملک)

Abstract
Chemical inputs in agriculture are the most important inputs that cause environmental and groundwater pollution. This is why agricultural activities and farmers' behavior can have direct effects on the environment. On this basis, a research study was conducted with the aim of analyzing and investigating the willingness to accept and consume biological inputs among farmers living in the villages of Meidawood sector of Baghmalek County in Khuzestan province using the survey method. The statistical population of the research included all the farmers of this region, among whom a sample size of 302 people was determined based on the Karjesi and Morgan table and by a simple random method (N=1400). The data collection tool was a questionnaire whose validity was confirmed based on experts' opinion and its reliability was confirmed by calculating the composite reliability index. Data were analyzed using SPSSv22 and Smart PLS3 software. The results showed that the studied farmers have a relatively favorable willingness towards the consumption of biological inputs. Also, there is a positive and significant relationship between farmers' attitude and willingness to accept biological inputs. In addition, the chi-square test between the willingness to consume biological inputs and different age levels of farmers was significant at the 1% level, and the results indicated that younger farmers were less willing to consume these inputs. The greatest willingness was among farmers aged 30 to 40 years.

Extended Abstract
Introduction
Chemical inputs in agriculture are the most important inputs that cause environmental and groundwater pollution. This is why agricultural activities and farmers' behavior can have direct effects on the environment. During the past few decades, the global approach towards modern agriculture and the excessive use of chemical pesticides in agriculture have caused damage to natural resources, pollution and destruction of the environment as well as disturbed ecological balance. The adverse effects of fertilizers and pesticides on the environment including pollution of soil, surface and underground water, has endangered food security and human health. Therefore, the focus of attention has shifted towards the use of methods in which there is need to low consumption or no need to use chemical fertilizers. One of the practical solutions in this way is to promote and develop the use of natural and biological inputs, which is aimed to eliminate using of chemical inputs. Nevertheless, the consumption of biological inputs has not welcomed by public favor and has not yet found its real place. Therefore, considering the importance of promoting and developing biological agriculture to produce healthy products, it is necessary to study the behavior of farmers as adopters of this technology to find the reason for this reluctance. According to the research conducted in different regions of Khuzestan province, as one of the important poles of agriculture in the country, chemical inputs are used indiscriminately in agricultural activities without observing the carense period, time of use, considering health and safety points by farmers. Considering the high volume of production and application of fertilizers and various types of pest/herbicede by farmers of Meidawood area of Baghmalek in Khuzestan province, it seems that we should not ignore the adverse and dangerous effects of these on the environment. Therefore, a research study was conducted with the aim of analyzing the willingness of farmers to adopt biological inputs in that region.

Methodology
This research was done using survey method. The statistical population consists of 1400 farmers of Meidawood district of Baghkalek County. A sample size of 302 farmers using simple random sampling method were selected based on the Kerjcie and Morgan table. The research instrumentl was a questionnaire that included demographic characteristics, respondents' willingness and attitude towards adoption of biological inputs. After completing the questionnaires, the collected data were coded and statistically analyzed by SPSSv26 and Smart PLS3 software. The face validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by using the opinions of the academic faculty members. In order to determine its construct validity, the Average Variance Extracted Index (AVE) was calculated. Also, its reliability was confirmed by measuring composite reliability index (CR) based on scores greater than 0.6. In order to categorize farmers in different classes of willingness, the standard deviation distance from the mean (ISMD) method was used, to analyze farmers’ willingness, correlation and chi-square tests were used.

Conclusion
Findings of this research showed that most farmers' willingness to adopt and consume biological inputs is relatively favorable. Also, there is a positive and significant relationship between their attitude and willingness toward biological inputs. There was a significant relationship between the willingness of farmers to adoptt and consume biological inputs and the age groups of farmers. A more detailed examination of the willingness of the respondents with different age levels regarding the use of biological inputs showed that out of a total of 165 farmers with an age level of less than 30 years, 89 persons have a relatively favorable and favorable willingness. They were approximately equivalent to 53.9% of this age group. Among the farmers aged between 30 and 40 years, 72 people (77.4%) out of 93 had a relatively good and favorable willingness towards the consumption of biological inputs. Also, in the age group of farmers over 40 years old, 26 people (59.1 %) out of a total of 44 farmers showed a relatively good and favorable desire to consume biological inputs. In total, 187 farmers, equivalent to 61.9%, had relatively good and favorable willingness towards the consumption of biological inputs. So that the greatest willingness is related to farmers older than 30 years. Younger farmers were less willing to accept and consume biological inputs. Based on this, it is suggested that the department of extension in Agricultural Jihad Management of Baghmalek should prepare educational plans for changing the attitude of farmers, especially the younger ones. In this regard, providing extension and educational plans in order to emphasize the advantage of using biological inputs from an ecological and economic point of view, to promote the production of healthy products and to make visible the harsh consequences caused by the excessive use of chemical inputs are of great importance.