A Study of Ecological Sustainability of Smallholder Farming System in Saleh Abad District, Hamadan

The purpose of this study was to investigate the sustainability standings of agricultural activities in smallholder farming systems based on the ecological indicators in Salihabad area of Hamadan province. In this area, many factors threaten the sustainability of agriculture. Some of these factors are: degradation of rangelands, increasing use of chemicals as inputs, soil erosion, depletion of soil nutrients leading to diminish in its quality, pollution of ground and surface water, and conversion of fertile into non-arable land. The ecological indicators of agricultural sustainability were determined through a comprehensive literature review. Data collection instrument was a questionnaire the validity of which was confirmed by a jury of experts and reliability determined through a pilot test (filling up of 30 primary questionnaires in the study area and analysis of the data), and calculation of Cronbach's Alpha coefficient(0.75). The statistical population included 27 villages. The sample size was estimated through Cochran formula, Ninety six farm-households were selected for the study, using optimum allocation clustered sampling method. Eventually the questionnaires were completed through interview with farmers in the field. Data analysis was accomplished using various statistical methods, including principle component analysis as well as cluster analysis. Findings indicate that, considering the ecological indications of sustainability, the farming systems in the area are at their "critical" stage, as 67.7 percent are at "very unsustainable",stage, 22.9 percent are "unsustainable", 7.3 percent "relatively sustainable" and only 2.1 percent of the farming systems are "sustainable",as based on the ecological sustainability indicators, developed in this study. The findings of the research can act as an alarm, and contribute to policy formulation for the future sustainable agricultural development programs in the area.