Designing an Educational Planning Model Based on the Agricultural Value Chain with a Qualitative Approach

Educational planning based on the agricultural value chain, as a comprehensive and systematic approach, can make a substantial contribution to improving quality and productivity in the agricultural sector. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to design an educational planning model based on the agricultural value chain in citrus orchards in northern Iran. This study is classified as qualitative grounded-theory research. The statistical population consisted of 20 experts and faculty members of the Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization. Interviews were used for data collection, and MAXQDA 2020 software was employed for data analysis. The findings identified the research components, including causal conditions consisting of core content, educational activities, and supplementary programs; the central phenomenon, namely educational programs based on the agricultural value chain; contextual factors including macro-level policies and culture; intervening factors including evaluation, core policies, competition, and educational approaches; strategies including organizational strategies and environmental strategies; and outcomes including optimal value chain management, quality orientation, and educational enhancement.