Analysis of the factors that motivate farmers towards pioneering agricultural activities in Hama Governorate

Abstract

The research aimed to analyze the factors that motivate farmers towards pioneering agricultural activities in Hama Governorate. A traditional questionnaire was used to collect primary data through personal interviews with a random sample of (222) farmers. The questionnaires were distributed almost equally among the villages of Raboo, Ba'rin, Jab Ramla, Ain Al-Krum, Salhab, Tal Al-Durra, Tizin, and Khattab in the studied area. The data were analyzed using the descriptive analysis method by calculating averages and percentages, as well as quantitative analysis using the exploratory factor analysis method using the basic components method and orthogonal rotation.

The results of the study showed the presence of seven factors that explained about 81.9% of the total factors motivating the adoption of pioneering agricultural activities. The economic factor was the most important of those extracted factors, as it explained 17.26% of the total variance. It included the following five variables: profitability from pioneering agricultural activities, the availability of loans and credit facilities to develop pioneering agricultural activities, the financial support from the state necessary to develop activities, the availability of initial financial needs for activities, and the presence of supporting and donor organizations to develop pioneering agricultural activities.

The study recommended a set of recommendations aimed at enhancing farmers’ motivation towards pioneering agricultural activities and addressing the identified problems and difficulties. These can be summarized as enhancing economic support for farmers, developing agricultural markets, improving the agricultural entrepreneurship environment, addressing local problems, and enhancing agricultural education and guidance.