The study of returns to research investment in researches on improved rainfed barley in Iran

About 62% of the total of barley (Hordeum vulgare) is cultivated through dry farming in Iran. Investment in agricultural research is most important factor in agricultural growth and development. The main purpose of this study was economic evaluation of investment in agricultural research by method and calculation of innovation acceptance score for farmers. Improved rainfed barley included in the study were Ezeh in Kohgiloyeh-va-Boyerahmad and Sararood1 in Kermanshah provinces. Data were collected from farmers by a survey method and registered information in agricultural centers and institutes. A sample of 192 producers in two provinces of Iran were selected by the stratified random sampling method and data collected by filling out questionnaires for crop year 2002-2003. Farmers were classified in two main groups, acceptor and unacceptor group new rainfed barley cultivars. For measuring farmers' innovation acceptance score, analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method was used. Return of investment in agricultural research was calculated by benefit-cost ratio (BCR) method. Results of this research showed that rainfed barley breeding cost, based on prices in 2002, was 874 million rials and weighted average of extension cost in wheat farms was 722 rials per hectare in the whole country. On the other hand, new cultivars have more yield than the formers cultivar. Also, utilization of these cultivars at least increased production and farmers benefit, 8592000 ton and 8.5 billion rials respectively. The results showed that benefit cost ratio of investment in rainfed barley breeding was more than one, and one rial cost made 3.36 to 7.66 rials benefit. The results of this study also revealed that there were significant yield differences among 3 levels of innovation acceptance score of farmers. Consequently, increasing innovation acceptance score will cause increasing barley yield mean. Finally, some recommendations are made for agricultural research budget improvement.