Benefiting from Knowledge Management in Agricultural Development of Iran: A Case Study of Pistachio

Abstract

Knowledge management and benefiting from the experiences and knowledge experts in Iranian Pistachio farming will be a method in order to achieve the development of Agriculture and Pistachio gardening in Iran. The present study is based on a qualitative approach and grounded method theory. The research tool was based on interview with 22 members of the Rafsanjan Pistachio Producers Cooperative, and was conducted in three criteria of open (initial), core and selective. Open code includes 34 concepts and core code includes 4 major categories, including cost reduction, product quality enhancement, innovation and continuous improvement. Agricultural development was identified as the central criterion of the present study. In order to understand the experiences of growers in their own language, semi-structured interviews were conducted to provide solutions to develop pistachio agriculture and create a competitive situation. Thus, the interviews begin with general questions and are followed by the solutions of each grower. The interview questions are designed to transfer technical knowledge of the interviewees and achieve solutions in order to benefit from knowledge management in the development of pistachio agriculture in Iran. The findings of this study helps the presentation of strategies to develop agriculture and maintain the position of Iranian pistachio growers in competitive markets that will lead to greater profits. According to our research, establishing a powerful cooperative system could satisfy growers’ requirements and will lead to an expansion of agriculture in Iran. Additionally, our system could result into establish a more proactive farming society using knowledge management.

Keywords

• agricultural development
• competitive advantage
• knowledge management
• pistachio cultivation