Challenges and obstacles of healthy vegetable production in greenhouses of Fars province, Iran

Agriculture in a controlled environment, especially in greenhouses contributes to meet the demand of the growing population and stabilize the food supply. The residual amount of pesticides in raw agricultural crops consumed freshly is of paramount importance compared with other crops and the control of these substances is significant to maintain the consumers' health. Therefore, this study aimed to identify challenges and obstacles of healthy vegetable production in greenhouses of Fars province, Iran. This study was a qualitative research in terms of methodology, and an applied one in terms of purpose using grounded theory. The participants consisted of vegetable greenhouse farmers of Fars province and experts and specialists of related institutions (Agricultural Jihad Organization). The samples were selected purposefully employing the snowball technique in which achieved theoretical saturation by interviewing 38 ones. Reviewing and summarizing the interviews, 285 primary codes were extracted identifying in 37 categories. Accordingly, the coding pattern of the main phenomenon (not producing healthy vegetables) obtained including causal conditions, contextual conditions, intervening conditions, strategies and consequences. The findings revealed that not producing healthy vegetables could lead to human-social, ecological-environmental and economic consequences. Finally, based on the results, some suggestions were recommended. The results can pave the way for policy makers and planners to adopt strategies to lead greenhouse farmers to produce healthy vegetables as well as facilitates the acceptance of such products.