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Showing 58 results for Rural Economy
Adel Sulaimany, Mohammad Reza Rezvani,
Volume 11, Issue 39 (5-2022)
Volume 11, Issue 39 (5-2022)
Abstract
Introduction
Resilience is the ability of a system to maintain its structures and functions in the event of environmental hazards and sustainably conserve the ecosystem resources and services that are essential to human livelihood. This definition of resilience implies that the system is relatively capable of learning and adapting. A system such as a social system, ecosystem, or complex human-environmental system can provide sufficient self-organization to maintain structures and processes within a coping process or adaptability. A review of structuralist and economic views in consistence with the rural geographical perspective as a major field of researching on natural hazards on reveal that vulnerability to climate change and economic inequality are positively correlated. In this context, frequent occurrence of environmental hazards in rural geographical spaces, has required special attention to the research, lessons learned and lived experiences about resilience to reduce and moderate economic and livelihood vulnerability in rural settlements. In this regard, investigation and analysis of global studies in the field of rural economy resilience are necessary, due to the large number and dispersion of the country's villages, the vulnerability of rural settlements in the face of various risks and hazards and the consequences. Therefore, the extensive analysis of valid scientific documents and a lot of world-produced knowledge in this field can help most of the studies and economic empowerment programs of local communities in Iran.
Methodology
This research is applied study that has used scientometric approach to review scientific documents. The present study is a type of scientometrics. In this research, the method of social network analysis with an exploratory approach has been used to explain and analyze the co-authorship and co-authorship of related researches in the whole network. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to systematic analysis of knowledge network and mapping the rural economy resilience by examining the network of both co-authorship and co- occurrence in this field to determine the sources and trends of knowledge and its shortcomings. The data were collected from the Scopus information database and was analyzed with algorithms based on social network analysis in VOSviewer software. To this end, we used census method, collected all scientific documents (including articles and books) related to the field of "rural economy resilience" in English inserted in the title, abstract and keywords from Scopus database in several stages from 1980 to the end of March 2022.
VOSviewer software is a network analysis-based application that can be used to draw scientific networks and scientometric-based studies. The software has many applications in research based on research literature and research background
Discussion and conclusion
The findings showed that among more than 1105 scientific documents and 3493 authors, the United States, United Kingdom and Australia, China and Italy had the most publications and authors such as Salvia, Quaranta, Shaw and Castillo had the highest citations. Li Jing's cluster of ideas from China had the highest network density. Co-occurrence of words analysis revealed four research clusters in rural economy resilience studies are: governance, climate change, sustainable development, and poverty. The results showed that the discourse of rural resilience is in line with the global discourse of resilience, so any plan to promote the resilience of the rural economy must be coherent and comprehensive and take into account all studies, authors and leading research. The findings of this study can have valuable guidance for rural geography researchers and open new horizons for them. The study and analysis of the network and ecosystem of rural economy resilience research as a cognitive transformation in geography and rural development indicates the paradigmatic trends and shifts of knowledge in this field and shows the research advances in the field of rural economy resilience.
Resilience is the ability of a system to maintain its structures and functions in the event of environmental hazards and sustainably conserve the ecosystem resources and services that are essential to human livelihood. This definition of resilience implies that the system is relatively capable of learning and adapting. A system such as a social system, ecosystem, or complex human-environmental system can provide sufficient self-organization to maintain structures and processes within a coping process or adaptability. A review of structuralist and economic views in consistence with the rural geographical perspective as a major field of researching on natural hazards on reveal that vulnerability to climate change and economic inequality are positively correlated. In this context, frequent occurrence of environmental hazards in rural geographical spaces, has required special attention to the research, lessons learned and lived experiences about resilience to reduce and moderate economic and livelihood vulnerability in rural settlements. In this regard, investigation and analysis of global studies in the field of rural economy resilience are necessary, due to the large number and dispersion of the country's villages, the vulnerability of rural settlements in the face of various risks and hazards and the consequences. Therefore, the extensive analysis of valid scientific documents and a lot of world-produced knowledge in this field can help most of the studies and economic empowerment programs of local communities in Iran.
Methodology
This research is applied study that has used scientometric approach to review scientific documents. The present study is a type of scientometrics. In this research, the method of social network analysis with an exploratory approach has been used to explain and analyze the co-authorship and co-authorship of related researches in the whole network. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to systematic analysis of knowledge network and mapping the rural economy resilience by examining the network of both co-authorship and co- occurrence in this field to determine the sources and trends of knowledge and its shortcomings. The data were collected from the Scopus information database and was analyzed with algorithms based on social network analysis in VOSviewer software. To this end, we used census method, collected all scientific documents (including articles and books) related to the field of "rural economy resilience" in English inserted in the title, abstract and keywords from Scopus database in several stages from 1980 to the end of March 2022.
VOSviewer software is a network analysis-based application that can be used to draw scientific networks and scientometric-based studies. The software has many applications in research based on research literature and research background
Discussion and conclusion
The findings showed that among more than 1105 scientific documents and 3493 authors, the United States, United Kingdom and Australia, China and Italy had the most publications and authors such as Salvia, Quaranta, Shaw and Castillo had the highest citations. Li Jing's cluster of ideas from China had the highest network density. Co-occurrence of words analysis revealed four research clusters in rural economy resilience studies are: governance, climate change, sustainable development, and poverty. The results showed that the discourse of rural resilience is in line with the global discourse of resilience, so any plan to promote the resilience of the rural economy must be coherent and comprehensive and take into account all studies, authors and leading research. The findings of this study can have valuable guidance for rural geography researchers and open new horizons for them. The study and analysis of the network and ecosystem of rural economy resilience research as a cognitive transformation in geography and rural development indicates the paradigmatic trends and shifts of knowledge in this field and shows the research advances in the field of rural economy resilience.
Mehrangiz Rezaei, Hassan Ali Faraji Sabkbar, Hamed Mazinani, Siamak Tahmasebi,
Volume 11, Issue 39 (5-2022)
Volume 11, Issue 39 (5-2022)
Abstract
Introduction
One of the most prominent features of the economic landscape is the intense geographical concentration of economic activity. Economic activities tend to be located in specific locations (for example, near markets or raw materials) and often some industries are concentrated in specific areas. Surveys show that out of 619,000 cattle and calf farms in the country, only 27,000 (4%) operate industrially. However, the share of the number of cows and calves and milk production of industrial farms from the total number of farms in the country is 32% and 58%, respectively. In this paper, the spatial distribution analysis of industrial cattle farming will be performed in two stages. First, the pattern of spatial distribution in the provinces in 2013, 2016 and 2019 has been studied, and then, using spatial regression method, more details of the regional concentration in industrial cattle farming are provided. More precisely, it has been tested to what extent natural and geographical factors, transportation, raw materials, are able to explain the spatial pattern of the geographical concentration of industrial cattle farming.
Methodology
The research is applied in terms of purpose and exploratory-confirmatory in terms of method. The research data are related to the number of active dairy and beef cattle’s divided and showed by provinces and extracted from the results of the census of the industrial cattle farming of the country in 2013, 2016 and 2019. The main determinants of the research are: percentage of barley production, percentage of forage production, average elevation, GDP, average temperature, average rainfall, road network density and population percentage.
Poisson global regression (GPR) and Poisson geographic weight regression (GWPR) were used to model the spatial distribution of industrial cattle farming. The mentioned models are performed in ArcGIS, GWR4 and the maps are prepared in the illustrator software.
Discussion and conclusion
This study aimed to model the spatial distribution of industrial cattle farming and its main determinants in the provinces of Iran. The results showed that the spatial and temporal distribution of industrial farms in the studied periods show little spatial and temporal variability. The results showed that the GWPR model has a better performance compared to the GPR model due to the fact that it shows the spatial variability of variables according to local conditions. The mean height showed a positive relationship. Active industrial farms are mainly concentrated in the central, southern and northeastern regions, where on the one hand it is far from mountainous and high areas and on the other hand the average temperature is high and the average rainfall is lower. But in local modeling, the relationships of these variables change according to local conditions and are not the same throughout the space. The results of this study show that the relationships between the distribution of industrial cattle farming and its determinants among the provinces of Iran both change in direction and intensity.
One of the most prominent features of the economic landscape is the intense geographical concentration of economic activity. Economic activities tend to be located in specific locations (for example, near markets or raw materials) and often some industries are concentrated in specific areas. Surveys show that out of 619,000 cattle and calf farms in the country, only 27,000 (4%) operate industrially. However, the share of the number of cows and calves and milk production of industrial farms from the total number of farms in the country is 32% and 58%, respectively. In this paper, the spatial distribution analysis of industrial cattle farming will be performed in two stages. First, the pattern of spatial distribution in the provinces in 2013, 2016 and 2019 has been studied, and then, using spatial regression method, more details of the regional concentration in industrial cattle farming are provided. More precisely, it has been tested to what extent natural and geographical factors, transportation, raw materials, are able to explain the spatial pattern of the geographical concentration of industrial cattle farming.
Methodology
The research is applied in terms of purpose and exploratory-confirmatory in terms of method. The research data are related to the number of active dairy and beef cattle’s divided and showed by provinces and extracted from the results of the census of the industrial cattle farming of the country in 2013, 2016 and 2019. The main determinants of the research are: percentage of barley production, percentage of forage production, average elevation, GDP, average temperature, average rainfall, road network density and population percentage.
Poisson global regression (GPR) and Poisson geographic weight regression (GWPR) were used to model the spatial distribution of industrial cattle farming. The mentioned models are performed in ArcGIS, GWR4 and the maps are prepared in the illustrator software.
Discussion and conclusion
This study aimed to model the spatial distribution of industrial cattle farming and its main determinants in the provinces of Iran. The results showed that the spatial and temporal distribution of industrial farms in the studied periods show little spatial and temporal variability. The results showed that the GWPR model has a better performance compared to the GPR model due to the fact that it shows the spatial variability of variables according to local conditions. The mean height showed a positive relationship. Active industrial farms are mainly concentrated in the central, southern and northeastern regions, where on the one hand it is far from mountainous and high areas and on the other hand the average temperature is high and the average rainfall is lower. But in local modeling, the relationships of these variables change according to local conditions and are not the same throughout the space. The results of this study show that the relationships between the distribution of industrial cattle farming and its determinants among the provinces of Iran both change in direction and intensity.
Asghar Ahmadi, Jafar Yaghoubi, Bahman Khosravipour,
Volume 11, Issue 39 (5-2022)
Volume 11, Issue 39 (5-2022)
Abstract
Introduction
Rural youth, as one of the most important human resources, constitutes a large part of the population and workforce of the rural community and play a valuable role in improving the economic and social situation of rural families. This is a capable resource to transform villages from unfavorable situation to favorable situation. Over the past few decades, migration has led to an aging rural population. Because most of the immigrants are young people, and often, they are the ones who tend to leave the villages to stay in the cities. Both migration and increasing age of the villagers become the main concern in rural areas. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the situation and adopt scientific and executive strategies to manage it. In this paper, we study the migration motivation of rural students in field of agriculture at Zanjan University.
Methodology
This research is an applied study which uses a survey in data collection and a correlation for analysis. In the present study, the factors affecting the migration motivation of rural youth were identified through a literature review and a research questionnaire was applied to find the correlation for the factors. The population of this study consisted of rural students studying in the fields of agriculture at University of Zanjan in 2018-2019 (N=210). The sample size was determined using the Krejcie & Morgan table (n=132). We used a stratified random sampling method to select the students for this study. Finally, the data were analyzed with SPSS software version 24.
Discussion and conclusion
The migration of educated youth from rural to urban areas is an alarming phenomenon in the geographical space of the country. The reason is that the situation can reduce the ability and motivation of the agricultural labor force in rural areas and lead to the waste of human capital in the country. Given that any planning in rural areas is directly and indirectly related to population structure and quality, it was important to study the factors affecting the willingness of moving out in rural youth.
The results showed that the number of family members living in the city, the desire to live in the village, life satisfaction, the amount of participation in agricultural activities, irrigated land owned by the family, accommodations and economic amenities in the urban areas and employment problem and difficulty of establishing business in the rural area are the most important reasons for the migration of agriculturally educated rural toung people.
Based on the results of logistic regression, the difficulty of establishing business in the rural area had the greatest impact on the inclination of migration. This finding reflects the fact that the most important priority of rural agricultural students is to achieve a job and create a business. Thus, it is suggested that the problem needs to be solved by promising an employment package for the agriculturally educated rural youth. These packages consist of the cases of financing through the allocation of low-income employment loans with minimum bureaucracy, consulting and training to start the businesses required by the market and marketing and sales program. Also, based on the results of regression analysis, it was found that the two variables of life satisfaction and the amount of participation in agricultural activities had a positive effect on migration tendency. This indicates that the more satisfied young people are with their lives, the greater their desire to migrate. This finding, along with increasing the tendency to migrate by increasing the participation of the rural youth in agricultural activities, indicates the fact that the desire to migrate among young people is not due to ignorance and lack of knowledge but is based on the existing knowledge and realities of rural society. As students' experience and knowledge of the agricultural situation increase, they come to the unfortunate conclusion that migration is a better way to achieve their goals. Using exploratory factor analysis, strategies to strengthen the rural economy by increasing the desire of rural youth to live and work in rural areas after graduation were summarized in two factors including facilitating the market of products and employment in rural areas and developing public and private investment in rural areas and agriculture.
Rural youth, as one of the most important human resources, constitutes a large part of the population and workforce of the rural community and play a valuable role in improving the economic and social situation of rural families. This is a capable resource to transform villages from unfavorable situation to favorable situation. Over the past few decades, migration has led to an aging rural population. Because most of the immigrants are young people, and often, they are the ones who tend to leave the villages to stay in the cities. Both migration and increasing age of the villagers become the main concern in rural areas. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the situation and adopt scientific and executive strategies to manage it. In this paper, we study the migration motivation of rural students in field of agriculture at Zanjan University.
Methodology
This research is an applied study which uses a survey in data collection and a correlation for analysis. In the present study, the factors affecting the migration motivation of rural youth were identified through a literature review and a research questionnaire was applied to find the correlation for the factors. The population of this study consisted of rural students studying in the fields of agriculture at University of Zanjan in 2018-2019 (N=210). The sample size was determined using the Krejcie & Morgan table (n=132). We used a stratified random sampling method to select the students for this study. Finally, the data were analyzed with SPSS software version 24.
Discussion and conclusion
The migration of educated youth from rural to urban areas is an alarming phenomenon in the geographical space of the country. The reason is that the situation can reduce the ability and motivation of the agricultural labor force in rural areas and lead to the waste of human capital in the country. Given that any planning in rural areas is directly and indirectly related to population structure and quality, it was important to study the factors affecting the willingness of moving out in rural youth.
The results showed that the number of family members living in the city, the desire to live in the village, life satisfaction, the amount of participation in agricultural activities, irrigated land owned by the family, accommodations and economic amenities in the urban areas and employment problem and difficulty of establishing business in the rural area are the most important reasons for the migration of agriculturally educated rural toung people.
Based on the results of logistic regression, the difficulty of establishing business in the rural area had the greatest impact on the inclination of migration. This finding reflects the fact that the most important priority of rural agricultural students is to achieve a job and create a business. Thus, it is suggested that the problem needs to be solved by promising an employment package for the agriculturally educated rural youth. These packages consist of the cases of financing through the allocation of low-income employment loans with minimum bureaucracy, consulting and training to start the businesses required by the market and marketing and sales program. Also, based on the results of regression analysis, it was found that the two variables of life satisfaction and the amount of participation in agricultural activities had a positive effect on migration tendency. This indicates that the more satisfied young people are with their lives, the greater their desire to migrate. This finding, along with increasing the tendency to migrate by increasing the participation of the rural youth in agricultural activities, indicates the fact that the desire to migrate among young people is not due to ignorance and lack of knowledge but is based on the existing knowledge and realities of rural society. As students' experience and knowledge of the agricultural situation increase, they come to the unfortunate conclusion that migration is a better way to achieve their goals. Using exploratory factor analysis, strategies to strengthen the rural economy by increasing the desire of rural youth to live and work in rural areas after graduation were summarized in two factors including facilitating the market of products and employment in rural areas and developing public and private investment in rural areas and agriculture.
Asiey Ghorbani , Milad Joudi Damirchi, Naser Motiei,
Volume 11, Issue 39 (5-2022)
Volume 11, Issue 39 (5-2022)
Abstract
Introduction
The first step in spatial planning is the recognition of the environment and its latent capabilities. However, planning for development, especially rural development, should be based on a real understanding of the potential and talents of rural areas. Evidently, a major factor implicated in the failure of rural development planning is the negligence of the environment; indeed, any geographical space has its own potential, capabilities, and facilities for development. Human communities cannot survive apart from economic, social, and physical factors and depend on nature, especially the environment, to meet their basic needs.
Methodology
The research was an applied, non-experimental, library, and document based study with a quantitative paradigm. The statistical population was composed of rural areas in Isfahan Province of Iran. The study was conducted at the county level so that 24 counties in Isfahan Province were investigated in terms of rural economic development. The research had two sets of variables. a dependent variable, i.e., rural economic development, and independent variables including human resources development, access to infrastructural factors, and environmental capability, which were all quantitative. The data were both quantitative and imagery, collected by the library and document method. The ecological capability section was analyzed by Dr. Makhtoum’s multi-factor evaluation method. The criteria of the ecological capability were assigned with weights using the pairwise comparison technique of the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). Then, the criteria were integrated using the weighted linear combination method. Ultimately, the final fuzzy map was classified based on the mean and standard deviation (SD) of the value of its pixels in the ENVI5.1 software package. The aggregated index calculation method was employed to estimate other parameters including rural economic development, human resources development, and access to infrastructural factors. Eventually, the multivariate regression method was applied to explore the effect of independent variables on rural economic development. The software packages used in the research included SPSS and MS-excel for statistical analyses and the calculation of aggregated indices, Super Decisions for assigning weights to the environmental capability criteria by the pairwise comparison technique, ENVI5.1 for standardizing information layers of the criteria and categorizing land-uses based on the mean and SD of the pixel values, ArgGIS 10.1 for aggregating and preparing information layers, estimating the areas of each section, and producing the output maps, and SHAZAM for performing the regression analysis and testing the estimator hypotheses of ordinary least squares (OLS).
Discussion and Conclusion
According to the results, Isfahan County had the highest and Semirom County had the lowest rate of economic development in their rural areas. Naeen and Dehaqn Counties showed the highest and lowest levels of human resources development, respectively. The highest and lowest access to the infrastructural factors were related to the counties of Khomeynishahr and Semirom, respectively and Chadegan and Khour-va-Biabanak Counties had the highest and lowest ecological capabilities, respectively. A closer look at the results revealed that although some counties such as Chadegan, Bueen Miyandasht, and Semirom had high ecological potential; however, they were at the lowest level of the economic development of rural areas. In contrast, counties like Isfahan, Ardestan, Aran-va-Bidgol, and Naeen with weaker ecological capabilities were at higher levels of economic development in their rural areas.
Based on the analysis of the effect of variables on economic development with multivariate regression, the coefficient of determination (R2) was estimated at 0.806 for the model. The statistic shows that 80.6% of the variance in rural economic development is accounted for by three variables of ecological capability, human resources development, and infrastructural factors and 19.4% is related to other factors not included in the model. The results of the regression analysis show that the relative importance or effectiveness of the ecological capability is 0.23 whereas the relative importance of the access to infrastructural factors is 0.65 and the relative importance of the human resources development is 0.35. According to the results, rural economic development in Isfahan province is mainly affected by the variable of access to infrastructural factors and least affected by ecological capability. This is an unexpected result because the rural economy is based on ecological resources and capability since most of the people in the rural areas are employed in agriculture and related activities. Also, the results showed that the variances in the three independent variables are not consistent, reflecting the fact that the policies adopted by development planners have not distributed infrastructure endowments in accordance with environmental potential. If they were distributed proportionally, regions with higher environmental capability should have had more infrastructural facilities. Therefore, infrastructure development and credit distribution are influenced by factors other than environmental potential.
In general, if capabilities and facilities are considered for rural economic development, it will be possible to realize economic development in villages and achieve an optimal level of economic development in these areas. It is, therefore, necessary to adopt policies and strategies for rural development that are consistent with environmental potential.
The first step in spatial planning is the recognition of the environment and its latent capabilities. However, planning for development, especially rural development, should be based on a real understanding of the potential and talents of rural areas. Evidently, a major factor implicated in the failure of rural development planning is the negligence of the environment; indeed, any geographical space has its own potential, capabilities, and facilities for development. Human communities cannot survive apart from economic, social, and physical factors and depend on nature, especially the environment, to meet their basic needs.
Methodology
The research was an applied, non-experimental, library, and document based study with a quantitative paradigm. The statistical population was composed of rural areas in Isfahan Province of Iran. The study was conducted at the county level so that 24 counties in Isfahan Province were investigated in terms of rural economic development. The research had two sets of variables. a dependent variable, i.e., rural economic development, and independent variables including human resources development, access to infrastructural factors, and environmental capability, which were all quantitative. The data were both quantitative and imagery, collected by the library and document method. The ecological capability section was analyzed by Dr. Makhtoum’s multi-factor evaluation method. The criteria of the ecological capability were assigned with weights using the pairwise comparison technique of the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). Then, the criteria were integrated using the weighted linear combination method. Ultimately, the final fuzzy map was classified based on the mean and standard deviation (SD) of the value of its pixels in the ENVI5.1 software package. The aggregated index calculation method was employed to estimate other parameters including rural economic development, human resources development, and access to infrastructural factors. Eventually, the multivariate regression method was applied to explore the effect of independent variables on rural economic development. The software packages used in the research included SPSS and MS-excel for statistical analyses and the calculation of aggregated indices, Super Decisions for assigning weights to the environmental capability criteria by the pairwise comparison technique, ENVI5.1 for standardizing information layers of the criteria and categorizing land-uses based on the mean and SD of the pixel values, ArgGIS 10.1 for aggregating and preparing information layers, estimating the areas of each section, and producing the output maps, and SHAZAM for performing the regression analysis and testing the estimator hypotheses of ordinary least squares (OLS).
Discussion and Conclusion
According to the results, Isfahan County had the highest and Semirom County had the lowest rate of economic development in their rural areas. Naeen and Dehaqn Counties showed the highest and lowest levels of human resources development, respectively. The highest and lowest access to the infrastructural factors were related to the counties of Khomeynishahr and Semirom, respectively and Chadegan and Khour-va-Biabanak Counties had the highest and lowest ecological capabilities, respectively. A closer look at the results revealed that although some counties such as Chadegan, Bueen Miyandasht, and Semirom had high ecological potential; however, they were at the lowest level of the economic development of rural areas. In contrast, counties like Isfahan, Ardestan, Aran-va-Bidgol, and Naeen with weaker ecological capabilities were at higher levels of economic development in their rural areas.
Based on the analysis of the effect of variables on economic development with multivariate regression, the coefficient of determination (R2) was estimated at 0.806 for the model. The statistic shows that 80.6% of the variance in rural economic development is accounted for by three variables of ecological capability, human resources development, and infrastructural factors and 19.4% is related to other factors not included in the model. The results of the regression analysis show that the relative importance or effectiveness of the ecological capability is 0.23 whereas the relative importance of the access to infrastructural factors is 0.65 and the relative importance of the human resources development is 0.35. According to the results, rural economic development in Isfahan province is mainly affected by the variable of access to infrastructural factors and least affected by ecological capability. This is an unexpected result because the rural economy is based on ecological resources and capability since most of the people in the rural areas are employed in agriculture and related activities. Also, the results showed that the variances in the three independent variables are not consistent, reflecting the fact that the policies adopted by development planners have not distributed infrastructure endowments in accordance with environmental potential. If they were distributed proportionally, regions with higher environmental capability should have had more infrastructural facilities. Therefore, infrastructure development and credit distribution are influenced by factors other than environmental potential.
In general, if capabilities and facilities are considered for rural economic development, it will be possible to realize economic development in villages and achieve an optimal level of economic development in these areas. It is, therefore, necessary to adopt policies and strategies for rural development that are consistent with environmental potential.
Ali Yousefi Taleghani, Nasrolah Molaei Hashjin, Parviz Rezaei,
Volume 11, Issue 39 (5-2022)
Volume 11, Issue 39 (5-2022)
Abstract
Introduction
Nowadays, much attention has been paid to discussions and concerns about environmental and land use changes. In such a situation, sustainable land use has become an important analytical-political issue. Land use is considered as an example of human effect on the environment. In developing countries, the issue of land use change is more important due to poor management and disruption of the political and economic structure. Land use change and land cover has become a complex process that involves different variables and factors at different social and spatial levels. The great and potential effect of land use change and land cover on the physical and social environment has created a motivation for research to understand land use change and its main causes and effects. The growth of the population of Rasht and the consequent need for more housing and construction, has led to the physical expansion of the city from various angles. In some cases, this problem has been solved in an unplanned way through land use change, both around cities and in peripheral rural settlements. On the other hand, the migration of some villagers to these rural areas and the lack of a specific authority and institution to control constructions, has caused physical development in an unbalanced way and without an integrated plan. It is clear that in this case, the land use of the agricultural lands of the village will change from agricultural to other uses, especially residential. Therefore, the researcher seeks to answer the following general question in this study: "How can these land use changes be organized in order to preserve land by identifying the factors affecting land use change?"
Methodology
In terms of the method, this research is considered as a descriptive-analytical study. The statistical population of this study is the villages around Rasht City. In the present study, a researcher-made questionnaire was used for data collection. The questionnaire was designed after identifying the economic and social factors affecting agricultural land use change. In fact, in this questionnaire, the respondents were asked to evaluate the effect of each of the socio-economic factors on land use change in the form of Likert scale. This questionnaire was given to the respondents in the villages around the city of Rasht. Finally, 516 questionnaires were completed by the respondents. The data were analyzed by one-sample t-test and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).
Discussion and conclusion
The factors affecting land use change on a regional scale were analyzed aiming to identify the mechanism of interaction simulation and predict the process of land use change. Land cover changes not only have a significant effect on the key parts of natural resources, but it has a close relationship with sustainable socio-economic issues. According to the results of the studies, human activities currently play a key role as a factor in land use change. Land use in an improper way can lead to some environmental issues. There is little knowledge on these issues and a brief understanding of the complex factors and processes that control land use change.
It's difficult to identify the factors affecting land use change and their prioritization. The present study investigated the socio-economic factors affecting land use changes in villages around Rasht using a questionnaire technique and based on the views of villagers. According to the results, economic factors are more important and effective on the research issue than social factors. Drought and water scarcity in agriculture created economic problems for farmers and prevented them from engaging in agricultural activities. The change of use from agriculture to residential and service activities has also occurred due to the decline in agricultural activities. Other relevant factors are lack of sufficient budget to purchase agricultural machinery, reduced income of the agricultural sector, lack of financial support in the production stages, the benefits of investing in land and housing, low prices of agricultural products and high prices of agricultural inputs. Social factors, on the other hand, are the pressure of children to sell land, the lack of interest of young people in agricultural activities, the belief in the unsuitable position of agricultural activities, the increase in the tourist population and the migration nature of villages
Nowadays, much attention has been paid to discussions and concerns about environmental and land use changes. In such a situation, sustainable land use has become an important analytical-political issue. Land use is considered as an example of human effect on the environment. In developing countries, the issue of land use change is more important due to poor management and disruption of the political and economic structure. Land use change and land cover has become a complex process that involves different variables and factors at different social and spatial levels. The great and potential effect of land use change and land cover on the physical and social environment has created a motivation for research to understand land use change and its main causes and effects. The growth of the population of Rasht and the consequent need for more housing and construction, has led to the physical expansion of the city from various angles. In some cases, this problem has been solved in an unplanned way through land use change, both around cities and in peripheral rural settlements. On the other hand, the migration of some villagers to these rural areas and the lack of a specific authority and institution to control constructions, has caused physical development in an unbalanced way and without an integrated plan. It is clear that in this case, the land use of the agricultural lands of the village will change from agricultural to other uses, especially residential. Therefore, the researcher seeks to answer the following general question in this study: "How can these land use changes be organized in order to preserve land by identifying the factors affecting land use change?"
Methodology
In terms of the method, this research is considered as a descriptive-analytical study. The statistical population of this study is the villages around Rasht City. In the present study, a researcher-made questionnaire was used for data collection. The questionnaire was designed after identifying the economic and social factors affecting agricultural land use change. In fact, in this questionnaire, the respondents were asked to evaluate the effect of each of the socio-economic factors on land use change in the form of Likert scale. This questionnaire was given to the respondents in the villages around the city of Rasht. Finally, 516 questionnaires were completed by the respondents. The data were analyzed by one-sample t-test and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).
Discussion and conclusion
The factors affecting land use change on a regional scale were analyzed aiming to identify the mechanism of interaction simulation and predict the process of land use change. Land cover changes not only have a significant effect on the key parts of natural resources, but it has a close relationship with sustainable socio-economic issues. According to the results of the studies, human activities currently play a key role as a factor in land use change. Land use in an improper way can lead to some environmental issues. There is little knowledge on these issues and a brief understanding of the complex factors and processes that control land use change.
It's difficult to identify the factors affecting land use change and their prioritization. The present study investigated the socio-economic factors affecting land use changes in villages around Rasht using a questionnaire technique and based on the views of villagers. According to the results, economic factors are more important and effective on the research issue than social factors. Drought and water scarcity in agriculture created economic problems for farmers and prevented them from engaging in agricultural activities. The change of use from agriculture to residential and service activities has also occurred due to the decline in agricultural activities. Other relevant factors are lack of sufficient budget to purchase agricultural machinery, reduced income of the agricultural sector, lack of financial support in the production stages, the benefits of investing in land and housing, low prices of agricultural products and high prices of agricultural inputs. Social factors, on the other hand, are the pressure of children to sell land, the lack of interest of young people in agricultural activities, the belief in the unsuitable position of agricultural activities, the increase in the tourist population and the migration nature of villages
Nafisa Rahimi, Masoud Jalali, Tawheed Rahimpour,
Volume 11, Issue 40 (9-2022)
Volume 11, Issue 40 (9-2022)
Abstract
Introduction
Proper land use requires knowledge of environmental power, and then knowledge about environmental capacity in management and economic planning, along with their protection, will bring economic growth and development. Therefore, there is a close and undeniable connection between the environmental capacity of an area and its function. The assessment of environmental capacity is based on the indicators appropriate to the type of zoning and mathematical rules. It aims to adjust the land use according to the region's characteristics to promote economic goals and preserve the environment.
Climatic and natural conditions are essential factors in the production and determination of plant species, and land use depends on the quality of these factors. Parameters such as temperature, precipitation, and humidity are crucial for the growth and development of different trees, including the walnut tree. The walnut tree is deciduous, large and wide from the broad-leaved group belonging to the Juglandaceae family and the Juglans genus with 21 species. The quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the walnut tree, such as wood, bark, leaves, and kernels, make it possible to use it in various industries such as soap making, paper making, wood and furniture industry, oil wells, oil extraction, pharmaceuticals, medicine, and dyeing, nutrition, purification of heavy metals from water and cleaning of soft metals, bulking of adhesives, with commercial and economic purposes. Therefore, the planting of this type of plant in susceptible rural areas, according to the 20-year vision document, in which special attention is paid to non-oil exports, including agricultural products, its export improves foreign exchange earnings and the economic growth of the villages. Therefore, considering the forestry value (wood value) and the edible seeds, the creation of uniform orchards of walnut trees requires the assessment of the capability of the regions according to the environmental components.
Methodology
The research method is based on the objectives of applied research and is descriptive-analytical. In this research, the desired data was collected from the organizations and scientific centers of the Ardabil province from 2007 to 2020. Then, after collecting and sorting, digitization was done, and finally, the layers were combined with the fuzzy coefficient operator model. Furthermore, the final map was obtained in 4 categories: desirable, suitable, relatively suitable and unsuitable in the GIS environment.
Discussion and conclusion
Even though the high sensitivity of the walnut tree to maximum wind speed and temperature thresholds (during the growth period and at the time of fruit ripening), the temperature is not considered a limiting factor for the planting of walnut trees in the province villages. The study of the average relative humidity of the air indicates that except for the villages of Pars-Abad and Bileh-Swar, Ardabil, the rest of the places are favorable and ideal for the growth of walnut trees. The investigation of the rainfall situation in Ardabil Province showed that the experts should supervise the planting of walnut due to the inappropriate amount of rainfall in Sarein, Nemin, Pars-Abad, and Ardabil.
Gardening at heights above and below sea level, such as Sablan, Talesh, Ghoshe-dagh, Bezghosh, Ag-dagh and Jalga Maghan mountains in Ardabil province, is a limiting factor in the planting of walnut trees. When planting at altitudes lower than 1500 meters above sea level, it is better to use species such as Chandler and Howard. For altitudes higher than 1500 meters above sea level, it is better to use Fernor species. The slope is not a limiting factor for the planting of walnut in the villages of this province, except in parts of Meshkinshahr, Ardabil, Khalkhal and Kausar. The final zoning map indicated that the areas with almost mild winters and dry summers, annual rainfall, relative humidity and moderate to good wind speed had a high potential for planting walnut orchards. According to the final map, of 17,824.6 square kilometers of Ardabil province, 7,773 square kilometers are favorable areas (43.60 percent), 4,681.6 square kilometers are suitable (26.28 percent), 4,809.3 square kilometers are relatively suitable (26.98 percent), and 560.7 square kilometers are unsuitable (3.14 percent). Regarding geographic location, the ideal and favorable lands for walnut planting include the northern, central and eastern parts of the province, which includes 43% of the province.
Proper land use requires knowledge of environmental power, and then knowledge about environmental capacity in management and economic planning, along with their protection, will bring economic growth and development. Therefore, there is a close and undeniable connection between the environmental capacity of an area and its function. The assessment of environmental capacity is based on the indicators appropriate to the type of zoning and mathematical rules. It aims to adjust the land use according to the region's characteristics to promote economic goals and preserve the environment.
Climatic and natural conditions are essential factors in the production and determination of plant species, and land use depends on the quality of these factors. Parameters such as temperature, precipitation, and humidity are crucial for the growth and development of different trees, including the walnut tree. The walnut tree is deciduous, large and wide from the broad-leaved group belonging to the Juglandaceae family and the Juglans genus with 21 species. The quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the walnut tree, such as wood, bark, leaves, and kernels, make it possible to use it in various industries such as soap making, paper making, wood and furniture industry, oil wells, oil extraction, pharmaceuticals, medicine, and dyeing, nutrition, purification of heavy metals from water and cleaning of soft metals, bulking of adhesives, with commercial and economic purposes. Therefore, the planting of this type of plant in susceptible rural areas, according to the 20-year vision document, in which special attention is paid to non-oil exports, including agricultural products, its export improves foreign exchange earnings and the economic growth of the villages. Therefore, considering the forestry value (wood value) and the edible seeds, the creation of uniform orchards of walnut trees requires the assessment of the capability of the regions according to the environmental components.
Methodology
The research method is based on the objectives of applied research and is descriptive-analytical. In this research, the desired data was collected from the organizations and scientific centers of the Ardabil province from 2007 to 2020. Then, after collecting and sorting, digitization was done, and finally, the layers were combined with the fuzzy coefficient operator model. Furthermore, the final map was obtained in 4 categories: desirable, suitable, relatively suitable and unsuitable in the GIS environment.
Discussion and conclusion
Even though the high sensitivity of the walnut tree to maximum wind speed and temperature thresholds (during the growth period and at the time of fruit ripening), the temperature is not considered a limiting factor for the planting of walnut trees in the province villages. The study of the average relative humidity of the air indicates that except for the villages of Pars-Abad and Bileh-Swar, Ardabil, the rest of the places are favorable and ideal for the growth of walnut trees. The investigation of the rainfall situation in Ardabil Province showed that the experts should supervise the planting of walnut due to the inappropriate amount of rainfall in Sarein, Nemin, Pars-Abad, and Ardabil.
Gardening at heights above and below sea level, such as Sablan, Talesh, Ghoshe-dagh, Bezghosh, Ag-dagh and Jalga Maghan mountains in Ardabil province, is a limiting factor in the planting of walnut trees. When planting at altitudes lower than 1500 meters above sea level, it is better to use species such as Chandler and Howard. For altitudes higher than 1500 meters above sea level, it is better to use Fernor species. The slope is not a limiting factor for the planting of walnut in the villages of this province, except in parts of Meshkinshahr, Ardabil, Khalkhal and Kausar. The final zoning map indicated that the areas with almost mild winters and dry summers, annual rainfall, relative humidity and moderate to good wind speed had a high potential for planting walnut orchards. According to the final map, of 17,824.6 square kilometers of Ardabil province, 7,773 square kilometers are favorable areas (43.60 percent), 4,681.6 square kilometers are suitable (26.28 percent), 4,809.3 square kilometers are relatively suitable (26.98 percent), and 560.7 square kilometers are unsuitable (3.14 percent). Regarding geographic location, the ideal and favorable lands for walnut planting include the northern, central and eastern parts of the province, which includes 43% of the province.
Ghadir Firouznia, Ismail Ziarati Nasrabadi, Mustafa Taleshi, Alireza Darban Astaneh,
Volume 11, Issue 40 (9-2022)
Volume 11, Issue 40 (9-2022)
Abstract
Introduction
The role of villages in the economic, social and political development at the local, regional and international scale has been the main focus of rural development and rural management. Rural management in Iran went through a lot of changes after the approval of the Law on Councils and the formation of Islamic Councils in settlements with more than 20 households, and eventually, the approval of the Establishment of Self-Sufficient Rural Municipalities Act on July 5, 1998. Based on this Act, several duties are recognized for rural municipalities, including rural planning, construction service, rural health, social services, cultural services, planning for disasters, improvement of rural environmental conditions and supervision of physical development plans. These duties are similar in all villages with councils. Despite the fact that rural management services are necessary for all kinds of villages, it is not possible to provide these services; even if it is possible, the cost is not viable. In other words, we currently have expensive and costly management of rural settlements. Therefore, after two decades of new rural management, a study needs to analyze the geographical, social, cultural and economic conditions. The purpose of this study is for the new rural management to cover services as much as possible with economic efficiency, promotion of public participation and private sector, the spatial connection of settlements, applying distributed network services and reduction of functional differences, reformation in different dimensions; environmental-physical, structural-institutional, social-cultural, economic and human aspects of rural management. Thus, we can provide a suitable model for providing integrated rural management that all the rural population will be provided services according to their right.
Methodology
The current research is an applied study, and the results can be used in planning and decision-making. The research method is a survey, so with social sampling techniques can be generalized to other rural areas. The data collection tool is a questionnaire, which was used for four units of analysis, including the members of the Islamic village council, the village mayors, villagers and experts. The survey is of a descriptive and explanatory type because it aims to objectively and precisely explain the process of the activities of rural municipalities and examine the relationships between variables and structures to explain and interpret the influencing factors in improving performance. This will be used for rearranging the current model of rural management with the aim of providing maximum coverage of services. The statistical population of the research includes all the cities of Qazvin province (six cities). The target counties, districts and rural districts have been selected as clusters. A total of 427 questionnaires have been completed by residents of 40 selected villages in Qazvin province. The criteria are population, distance, number and population of villages. First, nine districts were selected and accordingly, 22 rural districts and finally, 40 villages were selected.
Discussion and conclusion
In this paper, the factors affecting the reorganization of the rural service management model in five dimensions of environmental-physical, structural-institutional, social-cultural, economic and human aspects. The findings indicated the effectiveness of the described dimensions. Based on the findings, the followings are the most important components: in the environmental-physical dimension, components such as adopting an area instead of a point-based approach, spatial link and geographical features of the region and maximum coverage of services, in the structural-institutional dimension, the components of amending laws and regulations, creating joint construction and service organizations, increasing villager activity hours and providing services to neighboring villages, in the socio-cultural dimension, the components of fair distribution of services, accountability, performance transparency, increasing interactions and attention to vulnerable groups, in the economic dimension, the components of compliance with economic efficiency, reducing service costs, increasing productivity, sustainable sources of income, shared services, and finally, in the human dimension, components of people's participation, private and cooperative sector, reforming the selection process of village mayors and citizenship education. These components can be used for rearranging the rural management for rural service.
The role of villages in the economic, social and political development at the local, regional and international scale has been the main focus of rural development and rural management. Rural management in Iran went through a lot of changes after the approval of the Law on Councils and the formation of Islamic Councils in settlements with more than 20 households, and eventually, the approval of the Establishment of Self-Sufficient Rural Municipalities Act on July 5, 1998. Based on this Act, several duties are recognized for rural municipalities, including rural planning, construction service, rural health, social services, cultural services, planning for disasters, improvement of rural environmental conditions and supervision of physical development plans. These duties are similar in all villages with councils. Despite the fact that rural management services are necessary for all kinds of villages, it is not possible to provide these services; even if it is possible, the cost is not viable. In other words, we currently have expensive and costly management of rural settlements. Therefore, after two decades of new rural management, a study needs to analyze the geographical, social, cultural and economic conditions. The purpose of this study is for the new rural management to cover services as much as possible with economic efficiency, promotion of public participation and private sector, the spatial connection of settlements, applying distributed network services and reduction of functional differences, reformation in different dimensions; environmental-physical, structural-institutional, social-cultural, economic and human aspects of rural management. Thus, we can provide a suitable model for providing integrated rural management that all the rural population will be provided services according to their right.
Methodology
The current research is an applied study, and the results can be used in planning and decision-making. The research method is a survey, so with social sampling techniques can be generalized to other rural areas. The data collection tool is a questionnaire, which was used for four units of analysis, including the members of the Islamic village council, the village mayors, villagers and experts. The survey is of a descriptive and explanatory type because it aims to objectively and precisely explain the process of the activities of rural municipalities and examine the relationships between variables and structures to explain and interpret the influencing factors in improving performance. This will be used for rearranging the current model of rural management with the aim of providing maximum coverage of services. The statistical population of the research includes all the cities of Qazvin province (six cities). The target counties, districts and rural districts have been selected as clusters. A total of 427 questionnaires have been completed by residents of 40 selected villages in Qazvin province. The criteria are population, distance, number and population of villages. First, nine districts were selected and accordingly, 22 rural districts and finally, 40 villages were selected.
Discussion and conclusion
In this paper, the factors affecting the reorganization of the rural service management model in five dimensions of environmental-physical, structural-institutional, social-cultural, economic and human aspects. The findings indicated the effectiveness of the described dimensions. Based on the findings, the followings are the most important components: in the environmental-physical dimension, components such as adopting an area instead of a point-based approach, spatial link and geographical features of the region and maximum coverage of services, in the structural-institutional dimension, the components of amending laws and regulations, creating joint construction and service organizations, increasing villager activity hours and providing services to neighboring villages, in the socio-cultural dimension, the components of fair distribution of services, accountability, performance transparency, increasing interactions and attention to vulnerable groups, in the economic dimension, the components of compliance with economic efficiency, reducing service costs, increasing productivity, sustainable sources of income, shared services, and finally, in the human dimension, components of people's participation, private and cooperative sector, reforming the selection process of village mayors and citizenship education. These components can be used for rearranging the rural management for rural service.
Maryam Momenpour, Seyedeh Zoleikha Ghorbanzadeh Zafarani, Hasan Rasoli,
Volume 11, Issue 40 (9-2022)
Volume 11, Issue 40 (9-2022)
Abstract
Introduction
Cities have profound effects on the surrounding rural areas, which are manifested in various environmental, social, economic and physical dimensions. Knowing the type of texture is necessary to measure the quantity of filled and empty areas, explore the quality of mass and space contiguity and identify the shape-spatial system for the regularity of filled and empty spaces. Agriculture can be the core of the space economy because it is the biggest attractor of labor in some regions and can create the most income and development. Since development is a multi-dimensional concept, which requires reorganization of the socio-economic system with it, examining the different levels and dimensions of development and knowing the differences in resources of different regions can be effective for planning. In this regard, the purpose of the present research is to measure and evaluate the desirability of peri-urban spaces for the agricultural development of rural settlements in Golestan Province.
Golestan Province, the study area of this research, is a northern province that is distinguished in agriculture due to its geographical location. The importance of the agricultural sector for this province is because of the role of this sector in increasing the country's food security and prosperity. This calls for proper and accurate planning and agricultural development.
Methodology
This research is a descriptive-analytical and applied study. The secondary data were collected from the agricultural statistics of the province in 2015. The statistical population of the study consists of 14 cities in Golestan Province based on the latest political-administrative divisions. For data analysis, we used WASPAS multi-criteria combined technique in Excel spreadsheet software, and Shannon's entropy was used to determine the weight of each index. ArcGIS was used to draw the maps.
Discussion and conclusion
The findings of this research echo the results of Kaderzadeh et al.'s studies (2016), entitled agricultural development of the cities of Kurdistan Province and confirm the difference between the cities of a province in indexes. And the indicators of development agricultural development. It also shows that most of the cities of the province are in an unfavorable situation in terms of sustainable agricultural development indicators. Also, the findings of Taqvi and Bahari (2013) regarding the distribution of the components of the development of the cities of Mazandaran Province, Sakhawat (2013) regarding the measurement of the development of the provinces of Iran, Fadeli (2014) about the inequality of development in the western provinces confirm the difference between the cities of the province in terms of development indicators. Considering the general results of this research and the placement of rural settlements in Gonbad and Gorgan Counties at the highest level of development, it can be seen that the most important factors affecting the development are the strong and concentrated urban economy and the labor force. And trained, high-quality soils with agricultural capabilities, the use of modern and efficient agricultural tools and equipment, abundant manpower, large area, especially Gonbad Kavus County, etc. The robust economic role of the cities of these two counties (Inche Broon for Gonbad Kavus County and Sohrkhankalate and Jalin for Gorgan County) is evident because they have attracted most of the services and infrastructures, and this has led to the lack of these services in rural areas. Given that in addition to increasing urbanization of the country in the future, it is inevitable to pay attention to rural settlements for balanced development and fair distribution of services based on the current situation of settlements. Fair planning and distribution of services is a must, which requires optimal investment in rural settlements for the realization of homogeneity, social justice and better living condition in different settlements.
Cities have profound effects on the surrounding rural areas, which are manifested in various environmental, social, economic and physical dimensions. Knowing the type of texture is necessary to measure the quantity of filled and empty areas, explore the quality of mass and space contiguity and identify the shape-spatial system for the regularity of filled and empty spaces. Agriculture can be the core of the space economy because it is the biggest attractor of labor in some regions and can create the most income and development. Since development is a multi-dimensional concept, which requires reorganization of the socio-economic system with it, examining the different levels and dimensions of development and knowing the differences in resources of different regions can be effective for planning. In this regard, the purpose of the present research is to measure and evaluate the desirability of peri-urban spaces for the agricultural development of rural settlements in Golestan Province.
Golestan Province, the study area of this research, is a northern province that is distinguished in agriculture due to its geographical location. The importance of the agricultural sector for this province is because of the role of this sector in increasing the country's food security and prosperity. This calls for proper and accurate planning and agricultural development.
Methodology
This research is a descriptive-analytical and applied study. The secondary data were collected from the agricultural statistics of the province in 2015. The statistical population of the study consists of 14 cities in Golestan Province based on the latest political-administrative divisions. For data analysis, we used WASPAS multi-criteria combined technique in Excel spreadsheet software, and Shannon's entropy was used to determine the weight of each index. ArcGIS was used to draw the maps.
Discussion and conclusion
The findings of this research echo the results of Kaderzadeh et al.'s studies (2016), entitled agricultural development of the cities of Kurdistan Province and confirm the difference between the cities of a province in indexes. And the indicators of development agricultural development. It also shows that most of the cities of the province are in an unfavorable situation in terms of sustainable agricultural development indicators. Also, the findings of Taqvi and Bahari (2013) regarding the distribution of the components of the development of the cities of Mazandaran Province, Sakhawat (2013) regarding the measurement of the development of the provinces of Iran, Fadeli (2014) about the inequality of development in the western provinces confirm the difference between the cities of the province in terms of development indicators. Considering the general results of this research and the placement of rural settlements in Gonbad and Gorgan Counties at the highest level of development, it can be seen that the most important factors affecting the development are the strong and concentrated urban economy and the labor force. And trained, high-quality soils with agricultural capabilities, the use of modern and efficient agricultural tools and equipment, abundant manpower, large area, especially Gonbad Kavus County, etc. The robust economic role of the cities of these two counties (Inche Broon for Gonbad Kavus County and Sohrkhankalate and Jalin for Gorgan County) is evident because they have attracted most of the services and infrastructures, and this has led to the lack of these services in rural areas. Given that in addition to increasing urbanization of the country in the future, it is inevitable to pay attention to rural settlements for balanced development and fair distribution of services based on the current situation of settlements. Fair planning and distribution of services is a must, which requires optimal investment in rural settlements for the realization of homogeneity, social justice and better living condition in different settlements.
Ali Akbar Taghilou, Naser Soltani,
Volume 11, Issue 40 (9-2022)
Volume 11, Issue 40 (9-2022)
Abstract
Introduction
In the catchment area of Lake Urmia in West Azerbaijan province, the development of non-agricultural and agriculture-related small production activities has been the main strategy of the government to reduce the dependence of rural livelihoods on the agricultural sector and reduce water consumption in agriculture.
Referring to the studies conducted and the literature on the subject, it seems that the issue for the development and expansion of small non-agricultural activities in the villages is a problem of power relations and the inequality of abilities among the beneficiaries of these activities, which has made them unable to get the market benefits and capture the surplus value.
Therefore, the purpose of this article is not to explain the lack of success and discover the cause and effect of the development and establishment of non-agricultural production activities in villages. Rather, it is to help understand the structural limitations of the development and creation of production activities by identifying and examining the pairs of power relations and the interaction forces of these pairs.
Methodology
Our fieldwork was done in 2019. The main methods used in this research are in-depth interviews, document reviews, and secondary data analysis. In-depth interviews with villagers, semi-structured interviews with officials of financial institutions and entrepreneurship fund (KARA), responsible for rural small business development of Jihad Agriculture Organization, responsible for the training of technical and vocational organization, responsible for the rural economic development of West Azarbaijan Governorate, rural insurance fund, responsible for cooperation Rural, responsible for rural business development of the province's industry, mining and trade organization is.
Villagers and village councils and, producers of pickles, herbal spirits, paste, and dry fruits production, some large and medium-sized companies producing similar urban products were of interest to us in the interview. During the research, we also conducted informal interviews with a number of villagers who own small workshops. Also, we examined the sixth development plan and policies for the development of household and small rural businesses of the Agricultural Jihad Organization, Department of Labor, Welfare and Social Security, Technical and Professional Organization, and Urmia Lake Restoration Headquarters.
Finally, the interviews of the officials in charge of small rural businesses with news agencies were used as second-hand information in our analyses, But the questions that were raised in the interviews are: Why do you think small non-agricultural production activities related to agriculture do not develop? What is the role of the government's interests and programs in the development of urban and rural industries in the development of these activities in the villages? How do you evaluate the performance factors of financial and government institutions in the development of these activities?
Discussion and conclusion
The relations between small rural production activities and similar urban production factories threaten each other's interests, and there is no common interest between them. These two activities compete with each other in acquiring the market and adding value produced in the market. Small rural production activities have a relative advantage, such as high-quality raw materials, more organic production, production quality, and reasonable price compared to the production of urban industries in gaining market and benefits.
According to the logic of the consumer, this advantage in the consumer market increases the ability to gain benefits and keeps the flow of market benefits for itself; But in contrast to the advantage of Urum Ada, Pakdis, Sasan Shahd, Khoshkbar il Sur, Khoshdis and Noushin Shahd industries against these activities, it is in how they relate to the government and other determinants of small rural production activities that have changed the flow of benefits; Because the strength of small rural production activities is in their nature, but urban industries have gained their strength from relationships, which play a decisive role in the distribution of market resources and benefits, and with the rents created through relationships, the most banking facilities, government incentives, opportunities They change the market created inside and outside for their own benefit and threaten small rural businesses with mechanisms such as unhygienic, traditional, bribery of regulatory organizations and non-compliance with labor laws and rural production insurance.
In the network of urban consumer relations and small rural production activities, the flow of benefits is somewhat bilateral. The interests of the consumer are the quality and price of the product; considering the bad economic conditions of the consumer and the low purchasing power of the urban consumer, products with a low price are the priority of purchase, and the quality of the products is the second priority. Rural products have been produced at a relatively low price due to the elimination of many costs such as tax, insurance, labor and energy costs, and self-sufficiency of raw materials. Therefore, the consumer market has welcomed it, and it has generated good income for producers. But since these products are not a priority in the households' basket, it does not bring many benefits to the producers. On the other hand, the production of discourses on "rural products being unsanitary" by scientific centers and government institutions such as universities and health centers changes the relationship between urban consumers and rural producers in favor of industries with similar urban production in a small market and causes further contraction of the market and the interests of the villagers.
The main issue in this section is to investigate how the relationship between the government and the city and the government and the village disrupts the balance of power between the city and the village and how this imbalance of power affects small rural production businesses. Apart from the relationship between the city and the village, which has always prevailed over the village in attracting human, financial capital, goods and other things, this dominance is due to the relationship between these two places with the scientific and economic elites and the government, which affects small production activities.
In the catchment area of Lake Urmia in West Azerbaijan province, the development of non-agricultural and agriculture-related small production activities has been the main strategy of the government to reduce the dependence of rural livelihoods on the agricultural sector and reduce water consumption in agriculture.
Referring to the studies conducted and the literature on the subject, it seems that the issue for the development and expansion of small non-agricultural activities in the villages is a problem of power relations and the inequality of abilities among the beneficiaries of these activities, which has made them unable to get the market benefits and capture the surplus value.
Therefore, the purpose of this article is not to explain the lack of success and discover the cause and effect of the development and establishment of non-agricultural production activities in villages. Rather, it is to help understand the structural limitations of the development and creation of production activities by identifying and examining the pairs of power relations and the interaction forces of these pairs.
Methodology
Our fieldwork was done in 2019. The main methods used in this research are in-depth interviews, document reviews, and secondary data analysis. In-depth interviews with villagers, semi-structured interviews with officials of financial institutions and entrepreneurship fund (KARA), responsible for rural small business development of Jihad Agriculture Organization, responsible for the training of technical and vocational organization, responsible for the rural economic development of West Azarbaijan Governorate, rural insurance fund, responsible for cooperation Rural, responsible for rural business development of the province's industry, mining and trade organization is.
Villagers and village councils and, producers of pickles, herbal spirits, paste, and dry fruits production, some large and medium-sized companies producing similar urban products were of interest to us in the interview. During the research, we also conducted informal interviews with a number of villagers who own small workshops. Also, we examined the sixth development plan and policies for the development of household and small rural businesses of the Agricultural Jihad Organization, Department of Labor, Welfare and Social Security, Technical and Professional Organization, and Urmia Lake Restoration Headquarters.
Finally, the interviews of the officials in charge of small rural businesses with news agencies were used as second-hand information in our analyses, But the questions that were raised in the interviews are: Why do you think small non-agricultural production activities related to agriculture do not develop? What is the role of the government's interests and programs in the development of urban and rural industries in the development of these activities in the villages? How do you evaluate the performance factors of financial and government institutions in the development of these activities?
Discussion and conclusion
The relations between small rural production activities and similar urban production factories threaten each other's interests, and there is no common interest between them. These two activities compete with each other in acquiring the market and adding value produced in the market. Small rural production activities have a relative advantage, such as high-quality raw materials, more organic production, production quality, and reasonable price compared to the production of urban industries in gaining market and benefits.
According to the logic of the consumer, this advantage in the consumer market increases the ability to gain benefits and keeps the flow of market benefits for itself; But in contrast to the advantage of Urum Ada, Pakdis, Sasan Shahd, Khoshkbar il Sur, Khoshdis and Noushin Shahd industries against these activities, it is in how they relate to the government and other determinants of small rural production activities that have changed the flow of benefits; Because the strength of small rural production activities is in their nature, but urban industries have gained their strength from relationships, which play a decisive role in the distribution of market resources and benefits, and with the rents created through relationships, the most banking facilities, government incentives, opportunities They change the market created inside and outside for their own benefit and threaten small rural businesses with mechanisms such as unhygienic, traditional, bribery of regulatory organizations and non-compliance with labor laws and rural production insurance.
In the network of urban consumer relations and small rural production activities, the flow of benefits is somewhat bilateral. The interests of the consumer are the quality and price of the product; considering the bad economic conditions of the consumer and the low purchasing power of the urban consumer, products with a low price are the priority of purchase, and the quality of the products is the second priority. Rural products have been produced at a relatively low price due to the elimination of many costs such as tax, insurance, labor and energy costs, and self-sufficiency of raw materials. Therefore, the consumer market has welcomed it, and it has generated good income for producers. But since these products are not a priority in the households' basket, it does not bring many benefits to the producers. On the other hand, the production of discourses on "rural products being unsanitary" by scientific centers and government institutions such as universities and health centers changes the relationship between urban consumers and rural producers in favor of industries with similar urban production in a small market and causes further contraction of the market and the interests of the villagers.
The main issue in this section is to investigate how the relationship between the government and the city and the government and the village disrupts the balance of power between the city and the village and how this imbalance of power affects small rural production businesses. Apart from the relationship between the city and the village, which has always prevailed over the village in attracting human, financial capital, goods and other things, this dominance is due to the relationship between these two places with the scientific and economic elites and the government, which affects small production activities.
Masoumeh Pazkoi,
Volume 11, Issue 40 (9-2022)
Volume 11, Issue 40 (9-2022)
Abstract
Introduction
The entrepreneurship approach, suggested by planners, is a strategy for Overcoming the socio-economic problems facing rural communities. Facilitating innovations and entrepreneurial activities with high effectiveness are the tools to achieve economic development in rural areas. Another necessary condition for the development of any society, especially rural communities, are the main components of social capital, namely, the expansion of social cohesion, the development of social participation and, most importantly, mutual trust (between the private sector and the government). To achieve the development of entrepreneurial activities in rural areas, planning for the existing resources in rural areas, especially human resources, is essential through empowerment and resilience. The variables of social capital, empowerment and resilience must be considered in achieving innovative performance. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to investigate the social capital relationship with the innovative performance of rural entrepreneurs in the rural district of Filestan in Pakdasht County according to the variables of resilience and empowerment.
Methodology
The present research is an applied study, and due to the nature of the subject, the approach to the research process is descriptive-analytical. The statistical population of the study was villagers in villages with more than 20 households in Filestan Rural district. According to Cochran's formula, 353 households from 5 villages were obtained as a research sample. Then, based on the number of households in each village and by stratified sampling method, the number of samples in each village was calculated. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed according to the opinion of experts in geography and rural planning. Its reliability was obtained by Cronbach's alpha method, and data analysis was performed using SPSS software and ARAS, CODAS, WASPAS, COPELAND and MULTI-MOORA techniques.
Discussion and conclusion
The crucial strategy for survival in today's fast-paced world for the villages is the use of all available resources and the empowerment of all the capacities available to the villagers. Choosing this path requires providing a suitable platform that allows the emergence of creative skills and tactics, and entrepreneurial activities. In the current research, the relation of social capital with the innovative performance of rural entrepreneurs in the villages of Filestan Rural district was studied with regard to resilience and empowerment variables. According to the results of Shannon's entropy method, among the criteria of social capital effective on resilience, the criterion of knowledge and awareness with a weight of 0.9981 has the most importance. A rural society with stronger social capital in comparison with other villages has stronger social cohesion, social support, informal social relations, social interactions, social justice, justice in the distribution of resources, and resilient innovative practices and entrepreneurial activities. According to the COPELAND technique, the indicators of the desirability of innovation at the end of the work and the holding of classes related to entrepreneurship in the village were ranked first in significance. The ranking based on the MULTI-MOORA method shows that the villagers of Golzar village are more capable in terms of innovative practices and entrepreneurial activities compared to other villages. The results of the WASPAS technique show that the village of Golzar has a superior position compared to other villages in the Filestan Rural district from the point of view of different dimensions of social capital that are effective in the resilience of innovative and entrepreneurial practices with a Qi equal to 0.8764 and acts stronger. The results of the CODAS technique show that the role of social capital on the performance of rural entrepreneurs in Golzar village has been more than in other villages of the Filestan Rural district. This means that based on the results of this research, the self-confidence of entrepreneurs in this village, along with planning, training, skill acquisition, competitiveness, flexibility and increasing participation, should lead to a diversity of employment and improvement of household income in addition to creating social cohesion. Therefore, this village has stronger social capital than other villages. In fact, social capital leads to common ideals, social harmony, social cohesion, motivation, trust, creativity, and forward-looking, which can directly affect the innovative performance of rural entrepreneurs through empowerment and resilience.
The following suggestions are presented in order to improve the conditions of entrepreneurship according to the variables of empowerment, resilience and entrepreneurship in the study area:
The entrepreneurship approach, suggested by planners, is a strategy for Overcoming the socio-economic problems facing rural communities. Facilitating innovations and entrepreneurial activities with high effectiveness are the tools to achieve economic development in rural areas. Another necessary condition for the development of any society, especially rural communities, are the main components of social capital, namely, the expansion of social cohesion, the development of social participation and, most importantly, mutual trust (between the private sector and the government). To achieve the development of entrepreneurial activities in rural areas, planning for the existing resources in rural areas, especially human resources, is essential through empowerment and resilience. The variables of social capital, empowerment and resilience must be considered in achieving innovative performance. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to investigate the social capital relationship with the innovative performance of rural entrepreneurs in the rural district of Filestan in Pakdasht County according to the variables of resilience and empowerment.
Methodology
The present research is an applied study, and due to the nature of the subject, the approach to the research process is descriptive-analytical. The statistical population of the study was villagers in villages with more than 20 households in Filestan Rural district. According to Cochran's formula, 353 households from 5 villages were obtained as a research sample. Then, based on the number of households in each village and by stratified sampling method, the number of samples in each village was calculated. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed according to the opinion of experts in geography and rural planning. Its reliability was obtained by Cronbach's alpha method, and data analysis was performed using SPSS software and ARAS, CODAS, WASPAS, COPELAND and MULTI-MOORA techniques.
Discussion and conclusion
The crucial strategy for survival in today's fast-paced world for the villages is the use of all available resources and the empowerment of all the capacities available to the villagers. Choosing this path requires providing a suitable platform that allows the emergence of creative skills and tactics, and entrepreneurial activities. In the current research, the relation of social capital with the innovative performance of rural entrepreneurs in the villages of Filestan Rural district was studied with regard to resilience and empowerment variables. According to the results of Shannon's entropy method, among the criteria of social capital effective on resilience, the criterion of knowledge and awareness with a weight of 0.9981 has the most importance. A rural society with stronger social capital in comparison with other villages has stronger social cohesion, social support, informal social relations, social interactions, social justice, justice in the distribution of resources, and resilient innovative practices and entrepreneurial activities. According to the COPELAND technique, the indicators of the desirability of innovation at the end of the work and the holding of classes related to entrepreneurship in the village were ranked first in significance. The ranking based on the MULTI-MOORA method shows that the villagers of Golzar village are more capable in terms of innovative practices and entrepreneurial activities compared to other villages. The results of the WASPAS technique show that the village of Golzar has a superior position compared to other villages in the Filestan Rural district from the point of view of different dimensions of social capital that are effective in the resilience of innovative and entrepreneurial practices with a Qi equal to 0.8764 and acts stronger. The results of the CODAS technique show that the role of social capital on the performance of rural entrepreneurs in Golzar village has been more than in other villages of the Filestan Rural district. This means that based on the results of this research, the self-confidence of entrepreneurs in this village, along with planning, training, skill acquisition, competitiveness, flexibility and increasing participation, should lead to a diversity of employment and improvement of household income in addition to creating social cohesion. Therefore, this village has stronger social capital than other villages. In fact, social capital leads to common ideals, social harmony, social cohesion, motivation, trust, creativity, and forward-looking, which can directly affect the innovative performance of rural entrepreneurs through empowerment and resilience.
The following suggestions are presented in order to improve the conditions of entrepreneurship according to the variables of empowerment, resilience and entrepreneurship in the study area:
- Creating the environment and background for entrepreneurship (capacity building);
- Applying the necessary self-confidence and empowerment strategies through specialized training in the field of starting entrepreneurial businesses and innovative actions;
- Applying resilience-building strategies through specialized training in order to increase the ability to return to the conditions before the tension and after the accidents and the flexibility and creativity of entrepreneurs;
- Providing the necessary support to entrepreneurs in the fields of removing administrative formalities and facilitating loan conditions;
- Personal and occupational insurance and the establishment of markets for the sale of agricultural and rural products;
- Intensifying the expansion of entrepreneurial activities by creating mobility and activity.
Jaleh Koorkinejad,
Volume 11, Issue 40 (9-2022)
Volume 11, Issue 40 (9-2022)
Abstract
Introduction
Pressure on production resources and the environment is getting higher due to increased population and the need for food, especially in developing countries. Thus, the preservation of natural resources and proper allocation of inputs must be considered in production. Sustainable agriculture suggests a framework for human needs without harming the environment and the proper and optimal use of natural resources while taking into account the rights of future generations. Achieving sustainable agricultural development is possible only if productive factors such as labor and social capital are regarded alongside physical capital. Social capital, a complement to other forms of capital, is a prerequisite for achieving sustainable development, especially in rural communities. Development in rural areas requires the expansion of trust, participation and communication and cohesion among farmers. Social capital is a factor that compensates for the deficiency of other capital inputs and binds other inputs like glue. This study investigated social capital and its role in facilitating and accelerating sustainable development in the villages of the north of Sirjan County.
Methodology
This study first evaluated the different dimensions of social capital and sustainable development using different items with the Likert scale. The required data were collected using a questionnaire that validity and reliability were examined among a sample of 195 farmers living in the northern villages of Sirjan County. After calculating the social capital indicator and sustainable development indicator, we investigated the effect of social capital on various dimensions of sustainable agriculture using the Seemingly Unrelated Regression Equations (SURE).
Discussion and conclusion
According to the results of the research, the social capital indicator was calculated at 0.57 on average, and in terms of dimensions, trust is 0.55, participation and social relations is 0.58 and norms, and social cohesion is 0.60. The economic, social, environmental and institutional dimensions of sustainable development were determined to be 0.44, 0.51, 0.49 and 0.40, respectively. The amount of economic and institutional dimensions is below average, which shows the instability of most of these dimensions among farmers. The other two dimensions are in the middle level. The results of seemingly unrelated regression equations showed that the variables of farmer age, years of experience in agriculture, net income of agriculture, social capital, participation in training courses and type of irrigation system have a positive and statistically significant effect on the economic dimension of sustainable agriculture. Variables of education level, membership in agricultural cooperatives, participation in training classes and social capital have a positive and significant effect on social sustainability, and the variables of type of irrigation system, social capital, net income and education have a significant positive effect on environmental sustainability. In addition, the results showed that farmers with higher education and those who are members of agricultural cooperatives feel more institutionally stable, and these variables have a positive effect on promoting institutional sustainability.
Low efficiency and productivity, the staggering cost of inputs, have left no income for them and have led to poor quality and welfare life for them. This has caused farmer dissatisfaction and has led young people to migrate to cities and work in industrial sectors. As it was observed, the variable of social capital has a positive effect on all four dimensions of stability, but its effect on institutional stability is not statistically significant.
Since the calculated social capital is not at a high level among farmers, besides its significance in sustainability, it is necessary to pay attention to proper planning to improve different dimensions of social capital and eliminate the existing shortcomings to achieve higher levels of sustainability. Effective training courses in rural areas are really important due to the lack of transportation facilities in farmers' living regions. In addition, the presence of skilled professionals and experts will increase the trust in the training among farmers. Creating suitable living facilities and equitable distribution of facilities in villages, improving infrastructure, and access of farmers' children to quality schools. The life expectancy and desire of farmers, especially young people, to stay in the villages will be increased when donors and rich farmers participate in improving living conditions in rural areas.
Pressure on production resources and the environment is getting higher due to increased population and the need for food, especially in developing countries. Thus, the preservation of natural resources and proper allocation of inputs must be considered in production. Sustainable agriculture suggests a framework for human needs without harming the environment and the proper and optimal use of natural resources while taking into account the rights of future generations. Achieving sustainable agricultural development is possible only if productive factors such as labor and social capital are regarded alongside physical capital. Social capital, a complement to other forms of capital, is a prerequisite for achieving sustainable development, especially in rural communities. Development in rural areas requires the expansion of trust, participation and communication and cohesion among farmers. Social capital is a factor that compensates for the deficiency of other capital inputs and binds other inputs like glue. This study investigated social capital and its role in facilitating and accelerating sustainable development in the villages of the north of Sirjan County.
Methodology
This study first evaluated the different dimensions of social capital and sustainable development using different items with the Likert scale. The required data were collected using a questionnaire that validity and reliability were examined among a sample of 195 farmers living in the northern villages of Sirjan County. After calculating the social capital indicator and sustainable development indicator, we investigated the effect of social capital on various dimensions of sustainable agriculture using the Seemingly Unrelated Regression Equations (SURE).
Discussion and conclusion
According to the results of the research, the social capital indicator was calculated at 0.57 on average, and in terms of dimensions, trust is 0.55, participation and social relations is 0.58 and norms, and social cohesion is 0.60. The economic, social, environmental and institutional dimensions of sustainable development were determined to be 0.44, 0.51, 0.49 and 0.40, respectively. The amount of economic and institutional dimensions is below average, which shows the instability of most of these dimensions among farmers. The other two dimensions are in the middle level. The results of seemingly unrelated regression equations showed that the variables of farmer age, years of experience in agriculture, net income of agriculture, social capital, participation in training courses and type of irrigation system have a positive and statistically significant effect on the economic dimension of sustainable agriculture. Variables of education level, membership in agricultural cooperatives, participation in training classes and social capital have a positive and significant effect on social sustainability, and the variables of type of irrigation system, social capital, net income and education have a significant positive effect on environmental sustainability. In addition, the results showed that farmers with higher education and those who are members of agricultural cooperatives feel more institutionally stable, and these variables have a positive effect on promoting institutional sustainability.
Low efficiency and productivity, the staggering cost of inputs, have left no income for them and have led to poor quality and welfare life for them. This has caused farmer dissatisfaction and has led young people to migrate to cities and work in industrial sectors. As it was observed, the variable of social capital has a positive effect on all four dimensions of stability, but its effect on institutional stability is not statistically significant.
Since the calculated social capital is not at a high level among farmers, besides its significance in sustainability, it is necessary to pay attention to proper planning to improve different dimensions of social capital and eliminate the existing shortcomings to achieve higher levels of sustainability. Effective training courses in rural areas are really important due to the lack of transportation facilities in farmers' living regions. In addition, the presence of skilled professionals and experts will increase the trust in the training among farmers. Creating suitable living facilities and equitable distribution of facilities in villages, improving infrastructure, and access of farmers' children to quality schools. The life expectancy and desire of farmers, especially young people, to stay in the villages will be increased when donors and rich farmers participate in improving living conditions in rural areas.
Javad Madani, Ismail Taghavi Zirvani,
Volume 11, Issue 40 (9-2022)
Volume 11, Issue 40 (9-2022)
Abstract
Introduction
The tourism industry has been promoted as a common strategy for the development and reinvention of rural areas, especially in rural areas that have been severely affected by the decline of traditional agriculture. Tourism in rural areas is considered an accelerator of growing economies in both developing and developed economies. The social and economic impacts of rural tourism on individuals and society have been considered important, especially in less developed countries. The development of rural tourism in areas with rich biodiversity has helped local communities achieve their goal of improving livelihoods. Also, rural tourism has helped the local community to increase their income and increase their livelihood significantly. Although the economic benefits of tourism are well accepted, measuring the economic impact of rural tourism on rural areas is often ambiguous, as different approaches provide different results. Therefore, it is important to consider the effects of rural tourism on rural development both economically and in other dimensions. Assessment of the success of rural tourism initiatives that aim to benefit local communities, as well as rural environments, has always been a challenge. Many researchers and scholars of economics and tourism believe that the diversity of key drivers of rural tourism for improving the livelihood of rural households is due to geographical location and subsequent conditions. However, geographical conditions are necessary for the ensuing decisions. Therefore, in this research, the main goal is to identify and prioritize the key drivers of rural tourism in improving the livelihood of rural households. This study considers the potential of rural tourism as a tool to promote and improve rural households' livelihood.
Methodology
The current research is an applied study in terms of its purpose, and the research method used is a mixed method. The research design is exploratory sequential that analyses the qualitative information and then quantitative data. In this research, in the first phase, the qualitative method of thematic analysis was used, and in the second phase, the quantitative survey method was used. In the qualitative phase, the relevant codes were obtained from the semi-structured interviews. The codes were converted into basic themes by the thematic analysis method. In the second phase, these items were prioritized by a quantitative survey method. Thematic analysis analyzes textual data manually through several steps, including data identification, creating initial codes, searching for themes among codes, and reviewing and naming themes. We applied the Attride-Stirling(2001) approach, and the extracted themes were categorized into three "basic, organizing and global" themes.
Discussion and conclusion
According to the findings of this study, the themes extracted from the semi-structured interviews are in the form of 58 basic themes, 19 organizing themes and four global themes. In analyzing the development of rural tourism, it is necessary to pay attention to economic, social, cultural, technological and political factors in order to determine their impact. This way provides measures for the further development of rural tourism. After performing the calculations, it was found that the infrastructure and technological factors have the greatest impact on the development of rural tourism. These factors consist of the development of public and health infrastructure, the increase of recreational facilities for the local community, the creation of high-quality recreational opportunities, and the creation of transportation infrastructure facilities. Although rural tourism has a positive effect on the rural household's livelihood, it may be difficult to rapidly increase the number of tourists to this area in the future because the area is far from the nearest metropolis and also a very competitive rural tourist market is located in Ardabil Province, especially the city of Sarein. This study concludes that public policies are necessary to strengthen basic infrastructure and facilities. The infrastructural and technological benefits of rural tourism include improving infrastructure, protecting these areas and providing the necessary facilities. The main nature of rural tourism development in improving the rural household's livelihood is to reduce the gap in regional development between cities and villages, which is done through career consultancy, improving the well-being of local people in their environment, ensuring optimal standards of quality of life and providing privileges to rural residents. In the present study, rural tourism in areas adjacent to Sarein City was positively and independently related to households' satisfaction with life. The development of rural tourism can also lead to cultural and social changes through development programs. Accordingly, social influences play an important role in tourism development because the host community, represented as local households, interact with tourists directly, and positive cultural influences help support future tourism programs. All in all, the drivers of rural tourism can have positive effects on the livelihood of rural households, including improving the quality of life, improving the economic situation, developing the infrastructure of villages, etc.
The tourism industry has been promoted as a common strategy for the development and reinvention of rural areas, especially in rural areas that have been severely affected by the decline of traditional agriculture. Tourism in rural areas is considered an accelerator of growing economies in both developing and developed economies. The social and economic impacts of rural tourism on individuals and society have been considered important, especially in less developed countries. The development of rural tourism in areas with rich biodiversity has helped local communities achieve their goal of improving livelihoods. Also, rural tourism has helped the local community to increase their income and increase their livelihood significantly. Although the economic benefits of tourism are well accepted, measuring the economic impact of rural tourism on rural areas is often ambiguous, as different approaches provide different results. Therefore, it is important to consider the effects of rural tourism on rural development both economically and in other dimensions. Assessment of the success of rural tourism initiatives that aim to benefit local communities, as well as rural environments, has always been a challenge. Many researchers and scholars of economics and tourism believe that the diversity of key drivers of rural tourism for improving the livelihood of rural households is due to geographical location and subsequent conditions. However, geographical conditions are necessary for the ensuing decisions. Therefore, in this research, the main goal is to identify and prioritize the key drivers of rural tourism in improving the livelihood of rural households. This study considers the potential of rural tourism as a tool to promote and improve rural households' livelihood.
Methodology
The current research is an applied study in terms of its purpose, and the research method used is a mixed method. The research design is exploratory sequential that analyses the qualitative information and then quantitative data. In this research, in the first phase, the qualitative method of thematic analysis was used, and in the second phase, the quantitative survey method was used. In the qualitative phase, the relevant codes were obtained from the semi-structured interviews. The codes were converted into basic themes by the thematic analysis method. In the second phase, these items were prioritized by a quantitative survey method. Thematic analysis analyzes textual data manually through several steps, including data identification, creating initial codes, searching for themes among codes, and reviewing and naming themes. We applied the Attride-Stirling(2001) approach, and the extracted themes were categorized into three "basic, organizing and global" themes.
Discussion and conclusion
According to the findings of this study, the themes extracted from the semi-structured interviews are in the form of 58 basic themes, 19 organizing themes and four global themes. In analyzing the development of rural tourism, it is necessary to pay attention to economic, social, cultural, technological and political factors in order to determine their impact. This way provides measures for the further development of rural tourism. After performing the calculations, it was found that the infrastructure and technological factors have the greatest impact on the development of rural tourism. These factors consist of the development of public and health infrastructure, the increase of recreational facilities for the local community, the creation of high-quality recreational opportunities, and the creation of transportation infrastructure facilities. Although rural tourism has a positive effect on the rural household's livelihood, it may be difficult to rapidly increase the number of tourists to this area in the future because the area is far from the nearest metropolis and also a very competitive rural tourist market is located in Ardabil Province, especially the city of Sarein. This study concludes that public policies are necessary to strengthen basic infrastructure and facilities. The infrastructural and technological benefits of rural tourism include improving infrastructure, protecting these areas and providing the necessary facilities. The main nature of rural tourism development in improving the rural household's livelihood is to reduce the gap in regional development between cities and villages, which is done through career consultancy, improving the well-being of local people in their environment, ensuring optimal standards of quality of life and providing privileges to rural residents. In the present study, rural tourism in areas adjacent to Sarein City was positively and independently related to households' satisfaction with life. The development of rural tourism can also lead to cultural and social changes through development programs. Accordingly, social influences play an important role in tourism development because the host community, represented as local households, interact with tourists directly, and positive cultural influences help support future tourism programs. All in all, the drivers of rural tourism can have positive effects on the livelihood of rural households, including improving the quality of life, improving the economic situation, developing the infrastructure of villages, etc.
Minoo Vaghri Moghaddam, Vahid Vaziri, Sayyad Asghari,
Volume 11, Issue 41 (12-2022)
Volume 11, Issue 41 (12-2022)
Abstract
Introduction
Appropriate distribution of urban land use is one of the essential issues in the urban planning of cities with a sound and vibrant economy. Each activity in the city requires a suitable space to meet the requirements, and it is only possible to establish them in some areas. Therefore, it is a very important issue in urban planning to decide on the appropriate location for land use. This paper provides an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of promoting industry clusters as an industrial development alternative for rural areas. On the other hand, previous studies and experiences indicate that when different parallel production units and stores in the same industry are brought together in one geographical area and are organized in the form of an industrial cluster, it leads to the organization of small and medium-sized industries. Thus, it brings benefits to the owners and employees of these units. Accordingly, it leads to huge savings for companies due to teamwork and increasing collective efficacy. Determining an industrial cluster to achieve a particular product is a successful and examined method for aggregating small to medium-sized industrial enterprises, which eliminates the disadvantages of these industries and increases advantages such as diversity and flexibility.
Iran is a pioneer in the production of original and high-quality hand-woven carpets. However, over the past few decades, the economy has stagnated. As a result, exports and income generation of the carpet industry have decreased due to neglecting this valuable cultural production, increasing production costs and problems, insufficient support for carpet weavers, producers, and exporters, as well as increasing competition from other countries such as India, China, and Pakistan. Besides, due to the deficiencies in the structural, organizational, managerial, and primarily commercial fields, global market sales of Iranian hand-woven carpets have declined and are experiencing critical situations.
Due to the dependence of Iranian villagers' livelihoods on agriculture and the lack of income sources other than agriculture, the rural area has a weak and vulnerable economy. Moreover, an income increase in the agricultural sector is not very possible because of the limited lands which are not augmentable. Therefore, considering the strengths and obstacles of each region of the country, it is necessary to find other sources of income to diversify the economics of the rural economy and to increase the maintainability of the village population or, in other words, the stability of the rural community.
In this regard, carpet weaving is one of the skills of the people in Ardabil city, which has had a significant impact on their economy over the years; hence, locating and spatial design in the title of "carpet industrial cluster" in Ardabil county can lead to progress in the industry, and more trade of this ancient commodity, and subsequently improve the quality and living standards of the villagers.
Methodology
The current research aims to identify the best areas for establishing the hand-woven carpet industrial cluster in Ardabil county with the rural economic development approach. In other words, the goal of the current research is to select and introduce the best possible places for constructing carpet clusters in Ardabil County so that a study can be presented regarding the development of the economy of the towns and villages of this city. In order to achieve this goal, the library and documentary sources and the descriptive-analytical method for data collection were used, so influential factors for the location of the carpet industrial cluster as well as basic information for the design of the questionnaire, were obtained. Then, considering this information and indicators, the researcher created the questionnaire. The sample of this research included the significant producers of hand-woven carpets in urban and rural areas of Ardabil city, professors and researchers in this field, small weavers, sellers of carpets, and the workers of the carpet administration and Ardabil carpet cluster. Next, the interview with these experts was done, and the results were collected. Then, the effect of each item and their relationship with each other were investigated. In the next step, the collected items were classified into three categories: natural, physical, and manufactured. Then, the spatial information using the analytical network process model was analyzed, and the layers were overlapped and assessed. Then the weight of criteria and related sub-criteria was obtained. The layer related to each sub-item was defined in the GIS regarding the weights. Finally, the suitable location for the establishment of the carpet industrial cluster in Ardabil county was determined.
Discussion and conclusion
The criteria obtained in this research can be divided into two categories: first, criteria with a geographical study layer, and second, criteria without a study layer which requires field studies, interviews, and library studies. According to this, the first category criteria using the Arc GIS program and applying the weight percentages showed the regions of Ardabil city to locate the carpet cluster of Ardabil city with the rural economic development approach regarding each criterion. Furthermore, the final map that shows the most suitable places for establishing the carpet cluster was obtained by overlapping and aggregating the zoning maps related to climatic characteristics, topography, and human activities (Figure 1). Based on the map, it is clear that the central regions of Ardabil city are the best area for this research, and the western and southeastern regions of Ardabil city are the wrong places for establishing this cluster. Therefore, regions of the cities and villages located in the central part of Ardabil county can be considered to respond to the project's goal.
The result of the research showed that most of the regions of Ardabil county, especially the central urban and rural areas of the county, have the potential to locate the carpet industrial cluster to improve the economic development of the villages. Therefore, the construction of such an industrial space based on human labor has a significant effect on the region's economy, and it will lead to the development and economic growth of the villagers and increase their living standards.
Appropriate distribution of urban land use is one of the essential issues in the urban planning of cities with a sound and vibrant economy. Each activity in the city requires a suitable space to meet the requirements, and it is only possible to establish them in some areas. Therefore, it is a very important issue in urban planning to decide on the appropriate location for land use. This paper provides an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of promoting industry clusters as an industrial development alternative for rural areas. On the other hand, previous studies and experiences indicate that when different parallel production units and stores in the same industry are brought together in one geographical area and are organized in the form of an industrial cluster, it leads to the organization of small and medium-sized industries. Thus, it brings benefits to the owners and employees of these units. Accordingly, it leads to huge savings for companies due to teamwork and increasing collective efficacy. Determining an industrial cluster to achieve a particular product is a successful and examined method for aggregating small to medium-sized industrial enterprises, which eliminates the disadvantages of these industries and increases advantages such as diversity and flexibility.
Iran is a pioneer in the production of original and high-quality hand-woven carpets. However, over the past few decades, the economy has stagnated. As a result, exports and income generation of the carpet industry have decreased due to neglecting this valuable cultural production, increasing production costs and problems, insufficient support for carpet weavers, producers, and exporters, as well as increasing competition from other countries such as India, China, and Pakistan. Besides, due to the deficiencies in the structural, organizational, managerial, and primarily commercial fields, global market sales of Iranian hand-woven carpets have declined and are experiencing critical situations.
Due to the dependence of Iranian villagers' livelihoods on agriculture and the lack of income sources other than agriculture, the rural area has a weak and vulnerable economy. Moreover, an income increase in the agricultural sector is not very possible because of the limited lands which are not augmentable. Therefore, considering the strengths and obstacles of each region of the country, it is necessary to find other sources of income to diversify the economics of the rural economy and to increase the maintainability of the village population or, in other words, the stability of the rural community.
In this regard, carpet weaving is one of the skills of the people in Ardabil city, which has had a significant impact on their economy over the years; hence, locating and spatial design in the title of "carpet industrial cluster" in Ardabil county can lead to progress in the industry, and more trade of this ancient commodity, and subsequently improve the quality and living standards of the villagers.
Methodology
The current research aims to identify the best areas for establishing the hand-woven carpet industrial cluster in Ardabil county with the rural economic development approach. In other words, the goal of the current research is to select and introduce the best possible places for constructing carpet clusters in Ardabil County so that a study can be presented regarding the development of the economy of the towns and villages of this city. In order to achieve this goal, the library and documentary sources and the descriptive-analytical method for data collection were used, so influential factors for the location of the carpet industrial cluster as well as basic information for the design of the questionnaire, were obtained. Then, considering this information and indicators, the researcher created the questionnaire. The sample of this research included the significant producers of hand-woven carpets in urban and rural areas of Ardabil city, professors and researchers in this field, small weavers, sellers of carpets, and the workers of the carpet administration and Ardabil carpet cluster. Next, the interview with these experts was done, and the results were collected. Then, the effect of each item and their relationship with each other were investigated. In the next step, the collected items were classified into three categories: natural, physical, and manufactured. Then, the spatial information using the analytical network process model was analyzed, and the layers were overlapped and assessed. Then the weight of criteria and related sub-criteria was obtained. The layer related to each sub-item was defined in the GIS regarding the weights. Finally, the suitable location for the establishment of the carpet industrial cluster in Ardabil county was determined.
Discussion and conclusion
The criteria obtained in this research can be divided into two categories: first, criteria with a geographical study layer, and second, criteria without a study layer which requires field studies, interviews, and library studies. According to this, the first category criteria using the Arc GIS program and applying the weight percentages showed the regions of Ardabil city to locate the carpet cluster of Ardabil city with the rural economic development approach regarding each criterion. Furthermore, the final map that shows the most suitable places for establishing the carpet cluster was obtained by overlapping and aggregating the zoning maps related to climatic characteristics, topography, and human activities (Figure 1). Based on the map, it is clear that the central regions of Ardabil city are the best area for this research, and the western and southeastern regions of Ardabil city are the wrong places for establishing this cluster. Therefore, regions of the cities and villages located in the central part of Ardabil county can be considered to respond to the project's goal.
The result of the research showed that most of the regions of Ardabil county, especially the central urban and rural areas of the county, have the potential to locate the carpet industrial cluster to improve the economic development of the villages. Therefore, the construction of such an industrial space based on human labor has a significant effect on the region's economy, and it will lead to the development and economic growth of the villagers and increase their living standards.
Asma Khosravi Zo, Maryam Ghasemi,
Volume 11, Issue 42 (1-2023)
Volume 11, Issue 42 (1-2023)
Abstract
Introduction
In rural areas, Covid-19 has, directly and indirectly, affected all aspects of rural society in the medium and short term. Thus, the economy of the tourist destination villages of Kalat county, which has a lot of dependence on tourism, has faced a severe recession due to the impact of Covid-19 and has been severely damaged. In general, based on the initial exploratory studies of the economy, these tourist destinations have faced the following problems:
A) Decrease in tourism demand: Due to the impact of Covid-19, the number of tourists entering the rural tourism destinations of Kalat county has decreased significantly. The average annual number of tourists in Ortakand village has decreased from 200 thousand people to 10 thousand people, in Baba Ramzan village from 20 thousand people to 4 thousand people, and in Abgarm village, from 40 thousand people to less than 20 thousand people after the outbreak of Covid-19 which has created many problems for the economy of these villages.
B) Decrease in the income of the tourism sector: Due to the decrease in tourism demand, we are witnessing a decrease in money coming to tourism destinations and a decrease in the direct and indirect income of activists of the tourism market in the villages of tourism destinations, so that in the village of Ortakand, the income of those working in the tourism sector has decreased by about 90%. Before Covid-19, the people of this village earned money by selling livestock, and agricultural and horticultural products, as well as through supermarkets and renting resorts to tourists. Also, before the outbreak of Covid-19 in Baba Ramzan village, 90% of dairy products, 80% of handicraft products of the villagers, as well as other products of the village such as gardens, agriculture, livestock, fisheries, medicinal plants and rice were bought by tourists, but after the outbreak of Covid 19, The income that the people of this village earned from the sale of these products has decreased by 85-90 percent.
C) Increase in unemployment: The decrease in tourism demand has caused a decrease in job opportunities in tourism destinations and the unemployment of many tourism activists in rural areas. After covid-19, those villagers who have been active in the tourism sector, such as eco-tourism resorts, guest houses, renting beds and gazebos, selling agricultural, garden, livestock, dairy products etc., due to the lack of tourists, have faced unemployment. So 80% of people in Ortakand village, 30% in Baba Ramzan village and 20% in Abgarm village have become unemployed due to the spread of Covid-19.
D) Inefficiency of investments: After Covid-19, due to the decrease and absence of tourists, the investments that some people in these villages had made in the tourism sector, such as eco-tourism resorts, beds and gazebos, supermarkets, etc., which has often been by obtaining facilities, but has remained without returns, which, in addition to the problem of unemployment, has made it difficult for these people to repay these facilities.
According to these, the research question is raised as follows: To what extent has the spread of Covid 19 affected the economy of the tourism target villages of Kalat County?
Methodology
The research method is descriptive-analytical and of the type of applied-developmental research. In this study, eight tourism destination villages in Kalat Naderi County were identified and studied with the help of field and documentary studies. The impact of Covid-19 on the economy of tourism destination villages was quantified based on the Likert scale and under the three components of employment, investment and income with the help of 19 indicators. The research tool was completed with the help of 22 experts from tourism destination villages. The reliability of the questionnaire was evaluated using 19 indicators, and the Cronbach's alpha coefficient was favorable with a value of 0.9.
Discussion and conclusion
With the spread of Covid-19, rural tourism destinations have faced many economic problems. Since these villages get a large part of their income from the tourism sector, they faced unemployment after the spread of Covid-19, and finally, the economy of these villages faced stagnation. According to the obtained results, it can be said that Covid-19 has had many negative effects on the economy of tourist villages. The results showed that the average impact of Covid-19 on the economy of tourist destination villages was 3.68 on the Likert scale. Also, the impact of Covid-19 on income, with an average of 3.8, is higher than on investment, with 3.54 and employment, with 3.53. Obviously, the income from the tourism sector has decreased greatly due to the sharp decrease in the number of tourists. Also, the average impact of Covid-19 on the economy of all the studied tourism target villages was higher than 3. Therefore, there is a significant difference between the average effects of Covid-19 on the economy of the studied villages after the outbreak of Covid-19 compared to before, and the average of the investigated variables has decreased significantly after Covid-19. So that in the villages of tourism destinations, there has been a decrease of 19,941 tourists per year compared to before the outbreak of Covid-19. This situation has caused an average decrease of 31 direct businesses and 44 indirect businesses active in tourism, 47 direct and 77 indirect employees and 1.5 eco-tourism resorts compared to before the outbreak of Covid-19 in each of the tourism destination villages.
In rural areas, Covid-19 has, directly and indirectly, affected all aspects of rural society in the medium and short term. Thus, the economy of the tourist destination villages of Kalat county, which has a lot of dependence on tourism, has faced a severe recession due to the impact of Covid-19 and has been severely damaged. In general, based on the initial exploratory studies of the economy, these tourist destinations have faced the following problems:
A) Decrease in tourism demand: Due to the impact of Covid-19, the number of tourists entering the rural tourism destinations of Kalat county has decreased significantly. The average annual number of tourists in Ortakand village has decreased from 200 thousand people to 10 thousand people, in Baba Ramzan village from 20 thousand people to 4 thousand people, and in Abgarm village, from 40 thousand people to less than 20 thousand people after the outbreak of Covid-19 which has created many problems for the economy of these villages.
B) Decrease in the income of the tourism sector: Due to the decrease in tourism demand, we are witnessing a decrease in money coming to tourism destinations and a decrease in the direct and indirect income of activists of the tourism market in the villages of tourism destinations, so that in the village of Ortakand, the income of those working in the tourism sector has decreased by about 90%. Before Covid-19, the people of this village earned money by selling livestock, and agricultural and horticultural products, as well as through supermarkets and renting resorts to tourists. Also, before the outbreak of Covid-19 in Baba Ramzan village, 90% of dairy products, 80% of handicraft products of the villagers, as well as other products of the village such as gardens, agriculture, livestock, fisheries, medicinal plants and rice were bought by tourists, but after the outbreak of Covid 19, The income that the people of this village earned from the sale of these products has decreased by 85-90 percent.
C) Increase in unemployment: The decrease in tourism demand has caused a decrease in job opportunities in tourism destinations and the unemployment of many tourism activists in rural areas. After covid-19, those villagers who have been active in the tourism sector, such as eco-tourism resorts, guest houses, renting beds and gazebos, selling agricultural, garden, livestock, dairy products etc., due to the lack of tourists, have faced unemployment. So 80% of people in Ortakand village, 30% in Baba Ramzan village and 20% in Abgarm village have become unemployed due to the spread of Covid-19.
D) Inefficiency of investments: After Covid-19, due to the decrease and absence of tourists, the investments that some people in these villages had made in the tourism sector, such as eco-tourism resorts, beds and gazebos, supermarkets, etc., which has often been by obtaining facilities, but has remained without returns, which, in addition to the problem of unemployment, has made it difficult for these people to repay these facilities.
According to these, the research question is raised as follows: To what extent has the spread of Covid 19 affected the economy of the tourism target villages of Kalat County?
Methodology
The research method is descriptive-analytical and of the type of applied-developmental research. In this study, eight tourism destination villages in Kalat Naderi County were identified and studied with the help of field and documentary studies. The impact of Covid-19 on the economy of tourism destination villages was quantified based on the Likert scale and under the three components of employment, investment and income with the help of 19 indicators. The research tool was completed with the help of 22 experts from tourism destination villages. The reliability of the questionnaire was evaluated using 19 indicators, and the Cronbach's alpha coefficient was favorable with a value of 0.9.
Discussion and conclusion
With the spread of Covid-19, rural tourism destinations have faced many economic problems. Since these villages get a large part of their income from the tourism sector, they faced unemployment after the spread of Covid-19, and finally, the economy of these villages faced stagnation. According to the obtained results, it can be said that Covid-19 has had many negative effects on the economy of tourist villages. The results showed that the average impact of Covid-19 on the economy of tourist destination villages was 3.68 on the Likert scale. Also, the impact of Covid-19 on income, with an average of 3.8, is higher than on investment, with 3.54 and employment, with 3.53. Obviously, the income from the tourism sector has decreased greatly due to the sharp decrease in the number of tourists. Also, the average impact of Covid-19 on the economy of all the studied tourism target villages was higher than 3. Therefore, there is a significant difference between the average effects of Covid-19 on the economy of the studied villages after the outbreak of Covid-19 compared to before, and the average of the investigated variables has decreased significantly after Covid-19. So that in the villages of tourism destinations, there has been a decrease of 19,941 tourists per year compared to before the outbreak of Covid-19. This situation has caused an average decrease of 31 direct businesses and 44 indirect businesses active in tourism, 47 direct and 77 indirect employees and 1.5 eco-tourism resorts compared to before the outbreak of Covid-19 in each of the tourism destination villages.
Fatemeh Askari Bozayeh,
Volume 11, Issue 42 (1-2023)
Volume 11, Issue 42 (1-2023)
Abstract
Introduction
One of the most important and effective incentives for investment and improving the business environment is facilitating and expediting issuing of licenses. This process is so crucial that it has become the only component or at least one of the main components for international business environment assessments. Licensing procedures are also common in the agricultural sector, and due to important issues such as compliance with public health and environmental safety, it becomes more specific. Animal husbandry is a prosperous production activity in the agricultural sector and one of the important pillars of the rural economy. Like all of them, it needs a suitable platform to fulfil its assigned missions. The heavy livestock breeding license is issued according to the rules and regulations set in a book under the title of the Comprehensive Livestock Breeding System Law. Therefore, issuing heavy livestock licenses under a national project in Isfahan, Khorasan Razavi, Qom, Kurdistan, Kermanshah, and Gilan has been investigated to explain the current and suggest an optimal state.
Methodology
In order to identify the current state of the licensing process, pathology and analysis of its optimal state, the focus group qualitative research method was used. Focus group research is a method for collecting qualitative data. In this research, in order to achieve the intended purposes, five steps include collecting information on the current situation; formation of the working group of applicants; Forming a focus group of experts; discussing the issues raised and providing solutions by experts; And the final synthesis and drawing of the optimal chart has been completed. Also, for all responsible and provincial project researchers, a user code and password have been defined to search in the licensing system named Panjare Vahed, which is the basis of the analysis of this research. The Panjare Vahed system, now renamed Electronic Agricultural Licensing System (SAMAK), is designed to apply for and track the issuance of licenses in the agricultural sector. Visio 2013 software was used to draw licensing charts.
Discussion and conclusion
In order to obtain a heavy livestock license, three permits: Permission in Principle, Establishment Permit, and Operation Permit, are required, each of which has overlapping processes that cause many problems for the applicants. The results of the project indicate the chaotic situation of the licensing process and the absence of a single and coordination procedure in the province. According to the surveys carried out in the investigated provinces, the most critical factor in prolonging the licensing process is the multiplicity of decision-making centers and parallel inquiries and the absence of online, intelligent and up-to-date systems, as well as the rules and instructions of these centers. Finally, the current and optimal state of the licensing process is plotted in the form of graphs that will contribute to a better understanding of this issue.
One of the most important and effective incentives for investment and improving the business environment is facilitating and expediting issuing of licenses. This process is so crucial that it has become the only component or at least one of the main components for international business environment assessments. Licensing procedures are also common in the agricultural sector, and due to important issues such as compliance with public health and environmental safety, it becomes more specific. Animal husbandry is a prosperous production activity in the agricultural sector and one of the important pillars of the rural economy. Like all of them, it needs a suitable platform to fulfil its assigned missions. The heavy livestock breeding license is issued according to the rules and regulations set in a book under the title of the Comprehensive Livestock Breeding System Law. Therefore, issuing heavy livestock licenses under a national project in Isfahan, Khorasan Razavi, Qom, Kurdistan, Kermanshah, and Gilan has been investigated to explain the current and suggest an optimal state.
Methodology
In order to identify the current state of the licensing process, pathology and analysis of its optimal state, the focus group qualitative research method was used. Focus group research is a method for collecting qualitative data. In this research, in order to achieve the intended purposes, five steps include collecting information on the current situation; formation of the working group of applicants; Forming a focus group of experts; discussing the issues raised and providing solutions by experts; And the final synthesis and drawing of the optimal chart has been completed. Also, for all responsible and provincial project researchers, a user code and password have been defined to search in the licensing system named Panjare Vahed, which is the basis of the analysis of this research. The Panjare Vahed system, now renamed Electronic Agricultural Licensing System (SAMAK), is designed to apply for and track the issuance of licenses in the agricultural sector. Visio 2013 software was used to draw licensing charts.
Discussion and conclusion
In order to obtain a heavy livestock license, three permits: Permission in Principle, Establishment Permit, and Operation Permit, are required, each of which has overlapping processes that cause many problems for the applicants. The results of the project indicate the chaotic situation of the licensing process and the absence of a single and coordination procedure in the province. According to the surveys carried out in the investigated provinces, the most critical factor in prolonging the licensing process is the multiplicity of decision-making centers and parallel inquiries and the absence of online, intelligent and up-to-date systems, as well as the rules and instructions of these centers. Finally, the current and optimal state of the licensing process is plotted in the form of graphs that will contribute to a better understanding of this issue.
Mojgan Ghalami Cheragh Tapeh, Alireza Darban Astaneh, Mohammad Amin Khorasani,
Volume 12, Issue 43 (4-2023)
Volume 12, Issue 43 (4-2023)
Abstract
Introduction
Rural tourism is a sustainable form of rural development that utilizes the resources available in rural areas. However, due to geographical isolation and lack of benefits, these areas often have untapped potential. This lack of development prevents strengthening of social and economic foundations within local communities. Regarding tourism planning in certain areas, previous research has focused on identifying important factors and drivers. However, there is a lack of certainty surrounding regional development in the planning process. To address this, planners and scenario writers can use these factors as a control mechanism to map and manage the desired future.
Methodology
The purpose of this research is to create scenarios that will help determine the factors that impact the growth of rural tourism in Urmia County. The study will use the Wizard scenario to identify key variables that contribute to sustainable tourism in the villages within the county. Ultimately, the goal is to develop scenarios that will enhance the feasibility of sustainable rural tourism development. The purpose, application, and type of research method used in this study are descriptive-analytical. The nature of the data collected is qualitative, and the method of data collection is through field research. The questionnaire tool was implemented in two stages, and data analysis was conducted using future research techniques and the Mick Mac software, along with interaction analysis. In general, the working method has been done in two main stages in this research. Twenty professionals with expertise in the subject were selected for a statistical sample. They were provided with a questionnaire to complete. After careful consideration of the experts' opinions and research, it was determined that there are 36 significant indicators in 5 different components: economic (9 indicators), socio-cultural (8 indicators), managerial (7 indicators), natural (8 indicators), and infrastructure (4 indicators). During this study, it was found that out of the 36 indicators examined, several key factors drive tourism development in the rural regions of Urmia County.
Discussion and Conclusion
In this study, we created scenarios by considering critical uncertainties, predetermined drivers, and the impact of key obstacles. The result of this process was three scenarios. One scenario depicts a promising and favorable situation, another is static and intermediate, and the third portrays a critical and undesirable situation. Out of the three scenarios, scenario number two has the most favorable conditions for tourism in the villages of Urmia County. This scenario is considered the best because all possible situations are desirable. Out of the 36 possible situations, 16.6% are critical, 11.11% are relatively critical or on the brink of a crisis, 13.88% are relatively favorable, and 58.33% are very good. 27.77% faced unfavorable circumstances, while 72.23% had favorable ones. The second scenario is the most optimal, as all the crucial factors are at their best. This scenario comprises seven highly desirable situations, two moderately desirable ones, one on the brink of crisis, and two critical situations. In Scenario No. 1, there are several possible states. Seven of these states are ideal, one is good, one is risky, and two are critical. The factors in this scenario are stable. Five situations are entirely positive, three that are somewhat positive, one that is risky, and three that are critical. In these critical situations, the key factors are likely unfavorable compared to their desired state.
After analyzing the potential outcomes in three categories - favorable, static, and undesirable -, it is clear that the strong research scenarios lead to more favorable conditions than any other category. These scenarios provide a promising future for tourism in the villages of Urmia. By acknowledging the strengths and limitations present, better planning for rural tourism in Urmia can be achieved. Improving this trend will have a direct and indirect positive impact on the future development of tourism in the region
Rural tourism is a sustainable form of rural development that utilizes the resources available in rural areas. However, due to geographical isolation and lack of benefits, these areas often have untapped potential. This lack of development prevents strengthening of social and economic foundations within local communities. Regarding tourism planning in certain areas, previous research has focused on identifying important factors and drivers. However, there is a lack of certainty surrounding regional development in the planning process. To address this, planners and scenario writers can use these factors as a control mechanism to map and manage the desired future.
Methodology
The purpose of this research is to create scenarios that will help determine the factors that impact the growth of rural tourism in Urmia County. The study will use the Wizard scenario to identify key variables that contribute to sustainable tourism in the villages within the county. Ultimately, the goal is to develop scenarios that will enhance the feasibility of sustainable rural tourism development. The purpose, application, and type of research method used in this study are descriptive-analytical. The nature of the data collected is qualitative, and the method of data collection is through field research. The questionnaire tool was implemented in two stages, and data analysis was conducted using future research techniques and the Mick Mac software, along with interaction analysis. In general, the working method has been done in two main stages in this research. Twenty professionals with expertise in the subject were selected for a statistical sample. They were provided with a questionnaire to complete. After careful consideration of the experts' opinions and research, it was determined that there are 36 significant indicators in 5 different components: economic (9 indicators), socio-cultural (8 indicators), managerial (7 indicators), natural (8 indicators), and infrastructure (4 indicators). During this study, it was found that out of the 36 indicators examined, several key factors drive tourism development in the rural regions of Urmia County.
Discussion and Conclusion
In this study, we created scenarios by considering critical uncertainties, predetermined drivers, and the impact of key obstacles. The result of this process was three scenarios. One scenario depicts a promising and favorable situation, another is static and intermediate, and the third portrays a critical and undesirable situation. Out of the three scenarios, scenario number two has the most favorable conditions for tourism in the villages of Urmia County. This scenario is considered the best because all possible situations are desirable. Out of the 36 possible situations, 16.6% are critical, 11.11% are relatively critical or on the brink of a crisis, 13.88% are relatively favorable, and 58.33% are very good. 27.77% faced unfavorable circumstances, while 72.23% had favorable ones. The second scenario is the most optimal, as all the crucial factors are at their best. This scenario comprises seven highly desirable situations, two moderately desirable ones, one on the brink of crisis, and two critical situations. In Scenario No. 1, there are several possible states. Seven of these states are ideal, one is good, one is risky, and two are critical. The factors in this scenario are stable. Five situations are entirely positive, three that are somewhat positive, one that is risky, and three that are critical. In these critical situations, the key factors are likely unfavorable compared to their desired state.
After analyzing the potential outcomes in three categories - favorable, static, and undesirable -, it is clear that the strong research scenarios lead to more favorable conditions than any other category. These scenarios provide a promising future for tourism in the villages of Urmia. By acknowledging the strengths and limitations present, better planning for rural tourism in Urmia can be achieved. Improving this trend will have a direct and indirect positive impact on the future development of tourism in the region
Morteza Khazaipol, Banafshe Farahani, Masoume Izadinia,
Volume 12, Issue 43 (4-2023)
Volume 12, Issue 43 (4-2023)
Abstract
Introduction
According to the World Tourism Organization, all activities a person does while traveling and in a place outside his product environment, provided that his trip does not last more than one year and its purpose is recreation, business, or other activities, are considered tourism. The third generation of tourism, creative tourism, emerged after the first two stages of coastal and historical-cultural tourism. Creative tourism offers a more sustainable option that allows tourists to discover their potential by taking part in courses and experiences unique to the region they visit.
For a more immersive experience in rural tourism, it is recommended that tourists stay in local rural houses rather than hotels. This allows them to become fully immersed in the area's culture and way of life and to interact with the people who have built it over time. By doing so, they can gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the values and traditions that make this place unique. This study investigates how creative tourism can boost tourism and development in an overlooked region. Despite having many attractions, this area has not been thoroughly explored. This research aims to promote this unexplored region as a desirable tourist spot for both domestic and foreign visitors. It emphasizes the need to implement creative tourism initiatives to highlight the potential of this region.
Methodology
In terms of the purpose of this research, it is practical. In terms of data collection, this research is descriptive-survey type. The theoretical basis of the research was collected from books, dissertations, publications, and academic articles in Persian and English. For this study, the target group is people over 20 years old and living in the researched area. The study was conducted during the summer of 2021 and only included those who lived in the village. A questionnaire was completed by individuals over 20 years old and present in the community during the data collection period. The sampling method used was the available method. In this way, in the morning and afternoon of non-holiday days, during three consecutive weeks of July 2021, by visiting homes and explaining the research, questionnaires were presented to people over 20 years old and collected after filling. Two hundred and five questionnaires were distributed and collected. In compiling the questionnaire, we tried to include all the variables needed for the research. The number of inquiries was kept to a minimum, and the responses were uncomplicated to ensure that the villagers could provide prompt answers.
Results and conclusion
In order to conclude from the topics investigated in this research, what can be mentioned in this part is the impact and importance of creative tourism on the development and attraction of tourists in rural areas. The residents accepted all five components of creative tourism with an impact percentage of over 90%, which indicates the significant influence of creative tourism on the development and attraction of tourists. All the respondents agreed with the category of creative tourism in the village and considered the historical, cultural, and artistic background as the reasons for this agreement. They are interested in the development of tourism in this sector and stated that the framework of tourism in this sector is fundamental and insignificant. Expanding tourism and attracting more visitors can benefit the locals and help promote their culture. However, to support the growth of tourism, it is important to have the necessary infrastructure, such as communication networks, water, and electricity. Planning for tourism has facilitated the development of rural settlements, providing access to these essential amenities. This has also led to part-time and seasonal employment opportunities for the villagers, which can lead to a boom in production and economic activities in the village and, ultimately, the development of tourism in the village. Essentially, this approach can promote rural communities' financial and population consistency through thoughtful planning that considers local conditions. It is recommended that government officials prioritize this industry by establishing the appropriate infrastructure to encourage investment and appointing skilled and effective leaders who can foster creativity and attract tourism development. In rural areas, people strongly emphasize balancing work and family commitments. We can support both cultural and economic prosperity by promoting family and group businesses and encouraging entrepreneurship among women. This can also attract more tourists to the village. It is also possible to provide a suitable platform to attract tourists by holding cultural and artistic exhibitions in the village, taking care of the appearance and landscape, advertising, and creating local markets to offer products and handicrafts.
According to the World Tourism Organization, all activities a person does while traveling and in a place outside his product environment, provided that his trip does not last more than one year and its purpose is recreation, business, or other activities, are considered tourism. The third generation of tourism, creative tourism, emerged after the first two stages of coastal and historical-cultural tourism. Creative tourism offers a more sustainable option that allows tourists to discover their potential by taking part in courses and experiences unique to the region they visit.
For a more immersive experience in rural tourism, it is recommended that tourists stay in local rural houses rather than hotels. This allows them to become fully immersed in the area's culture and way of life and to interact with the people who have built it over time. By doing so, they can gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the values and traditions that make this place unique. This study investigates how creative tourism can boost tourism and development in an overlooked region. Despite having many attractions, this area has not been thoroughly explored. This research aims to promote this unexplored region as a desirable tourist spot for both domestic and foreign visitors. It emphasizes the need to implement creative tourism initiatives to highlight the potential of this region.
Methodology
In terms of the purpose of this research, it is practical. In terms of data collection, this research is descriptive-survey type. The theoretical basis of the research was collected from books, dissertations, publications, and academic articles in Persian and English. For this study, the target group is people over 20 years old and living in the researched area. The study was conducted during the summer of 2021 and only included those who lived in the village. A questionnaire was completed by individuals over 20 years old and present in the community during the data collection period. The sampling method used was the available method. In this way, in the morning and afternoon of non-holiday days, during three consecutive weeks of July 2021, by visiting homes and explaining the research, questionnaires were presented to people over 20 years old and collected after filling. Two hundred and five questionnaires were distributed and collected. In compiling the questionnaire, we tried to include all the variables needed for the research. The number of inquiries was kept to a minimum, and the responses were uncomplicated to ensure that the villagers could provide prompt answers.
Results and conclusion
In order to conclude from the topics investigated in this research, what can be mentioned in this part is the impact and importance of creative tourism on the development and attraction of tourists in rural areas. The residents accepted all five components of creative tourism with an impact percentage of over 90%, which indicates the significant influence of creative tourism on the development and attraction of tourists. All the respondents agreed with the category of creative tourism in the village and considered the historical, cultural, and artistic background as the reasons for this agreement. They are interested in the development of tourism in this sector and stated that the framework of tourism in this sector is fundamental and insignificant. Expanding tourism and attracting more visitors can benefit the locals and help promote their culture. However, to support the growth of tourism, it is important to have the necessary infrastructure, such as communication networks, water, and electricity. Planning for tourism has facilitated the development of rural settlements, providing access to these essential amenities. This has also led to part-time and seasonal employment opportunities for the villagers, which can lead to a boom in production and economic activities in the village and, ultimately, the development of tourism in the village. Essentially, this approach can promote rural communities' financial and population consistency through thoughtful planning that considers local conditions. It is recommended that government officials prioritize this industry by establishing the appropriate infrastructure to encourage investment and appointing skilled and effective leaders who can foster creativity and attract tourism development. In rural areas, people strongly emphasize balancing work and family commitments. We can support both cultural and economic prosperity by promoting family and group businesses and encouraging entrepreneurship among women. This can also attract more tourists to the village. It is also possible to provide a suitable platform to attract tourists by holding cultural and artistic exhibitions in the village, taking care of the appearance and landscape, advertising, and creating local markets to offer products and handicrafts.
Aliakbar Anabestani, Sirous Ghanbari, Habib Lotfi,
Volume 12, Issue 43 (4-2023)
Volume 12, Issue 43 (4-2023)
Abstract
Introduction
Iran has successfully leveraged knowledge and technology with the Islamic economic system to cultivate a prosperous rural economy. This economy encompasses a wide range of activities at the village level, all aimed at supporting rural residents' livelihoods and material well-being. It encompasses both individual and social activities within the rural environment and has yielded impressive results. The rural economy is interdependent with agriculture and is a component of the national economy. Any changes in the national economy will affect the rural economy. This economy level depends on environmental and economic resources, which aligns with the principles of resilient economic policies.
In this regard, Jiroft Plain, located in the western region of Jazmourian, with Halil-Rood passing through its center, encompasses more than 1400 villages. The rural economy in Jiroft and Anbarabad counties primarily relies on livestock farming and agriculture. Economic reconstruction and transformation are taking place in all sectors of the world, and the villages of Jiroft Plain also need to manage and update their economic activities to keep up with global and national developments. Traditional activities are not sufficient to meet the needs of the younger generation. Therefore, the present research aims to analyze the economic situation of villages in terms of resilient economic indicators within the study area and seeks to answer the following question: How is the economic situation of villages in Jiroft Plain in terms of resilient economic indicators? Moreover, what effects do resilient economic indicators have on the rural economy?
Methodology
The present study employed a descriptive-analytical method to provide a concrete, realistic, and systematic description of the characteristics and features of the studied villages in the Halil-Rud geographical-cultural area and Jiroft plain. Both library research methods and field research methods were utilized to gather information. The geographical scope of this research includes the cities of Jiroft and Anbarabad in Kerman Province. Considering the large number of villages in these two cities, as recognized by experts and professionals in this field, the sample villages were selected as the centers of rural districts. Therefore, the statistical population consists of household heads in the central villages of the rural districts, which according to the 2016 census conducted by the Statistical Center of Iran, have a population of approximately 41,289 individuals and 12,165 households, encompassing around 21 villages. Based on Cochran's formula, a sample size of 314 households was selected for the research and used for data collection. A systematic sampling method was employed to select households in each village.
Furthermore, a questionnaire was developed to examine the rural economy in detail from the perspective of resilience indicators, covering 11 different indicators and components. This questionnaire was administered to the sample population, and after completing 30 questionnaires, the reliability of the questionnaire was determined with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.780, indicating high reliability. Additionally, data analysis was conducted using Kruskal-Wallis, one-sample t-test, and regression analysis.
Discussion and conclusion
The research results regarding the status of resilience indicators with a rural economic approach revealed that the economic mobility and dynamism indicators scored 12.01, while social justice scored 3.31, indicating a moderate to high level. Other resilience indicators in the study area were estimated to be below the desirable numerical value of 3, indicating a moderate to low status. Furthermore, among the sample villages, Aliabad ranked first with an average rank of 253, followed by Dovlatabad with an average rank of 210, Hossainabad Dehdar with an average rank of 205, and Ismaili Sofla with an average rank of 179. This finding indicates that villages with a larger population and diverse economies tend to have higher resilience indicators. Based on this, over 52% of the villages in the study area do not have a desirable status in terms of the examined indicators, while only over 16% are in a desirable state.
The rural community's ability to withstand and recover from challenges has been achieved through various means. These include economic growth, increased production in agriculture, industry, and services, ensuring fair distribution of services to rural residents, creating more job opportunities, controlling inflation, improving welfare, supporting a knowledge-based economy, paying attention to scientific aspects of rural economics, engaging educated individuals in rural affairs, encouraging participation in village-related matters and meetings, providing a platform for criticism and suggestions to Islamic councils, cooperating with officials, improving access to basic services for all residents, increasing migration rates, and more. All these measures contribute to the sustainability of the rural economy, including employment, investment, productivity, income, and other production factors in the study area.
Iran has successfully leveraged knowledge and technology with the Islamic economic system to cultivate a prosperous rural economy. This economy encompasses a wide range of activities at the village level, all aimed at supporting rural residents' livelihoods and material well-being. It encompasses both individual and social activities within the rural environment and has yielded impressive results. The rural economy is interdependent with agriculture and is a component of the national economy. Any changes in the national economy will affect the rural economy. This economy level depends on environmental and economic resources, which aligns with the principles of resilient economic policies.
In this regard, Jiroft Plain, located in the western region of Jazmourian, with Halil-Rood passing through its center, encompasses more than 1400 villages. The rural economy in Jiroft and Anbarabad counties primarily relies on livestock farming and agriculture. Economic reconstruction and transformation are taking place in all sectors of the world, and the villages of Jiroft Plain also need to manage and update their economic activities to keep up with global and national developments. Traditional activities are not sufficient to meet the needs of the younger generation. Therefore, the present research aims to analyze the economic situation of villages in terms of resilient economic indicators within the study area and seeks to answer the following question: How is the economic situation of villages in Jiroft Plain in terms of resilient economic indicators? Moreover, what effects do resilient economic indicators have on the rural economy?
Methodology
The present study employed a descriptive-analytical method to provide a concrete, realistic, and systematic description of the characteristics and features of the studied villages in the Halil-Rud geographical-cultural area and Jiroft plain. Both library research methods and field research methods were utilized to gather information. The geographical scope of this research includes the cities of Jiroft and Anbarabad in Kerman Province. Considering the large number of villages in these two cities, as recognized by experts and professionals in this field, the sample villages were selected as the centers of rural districts. Therefore, the statistical population consists of household heads in the central villages of the rural districts, which according to the 2016 census conducted by the Statistical Center of Iran, have a population of approximately 41,289 individuals and 12,165 households, encompassing around 21 villages. Based on Cochran's formula, a sample size of 314 households was selected for the research and used for data collection. A systematic sampling method was employed to select households in each village.
Furthermore, a questionnaire was developed to examine the rural economy in detail from the perspective of resilience indicators, covering 11 different indicators and components. This questionnaire was administered to the sample population, and after completing 30 questionnaires, the reliability of the questionnaire was determined with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.780, indicating high reliability. Additionally, data analysis was conducted using Kruskal-Wallis, one-sample t-test, and regression analysis.
Discussion and conclusion
The research results regarding the status of resilience indicators with a rural economic approach revealed that the economic mobility and dynamism indicators scored 12.01, while social justice scored 3.31, indicating a moderate to high level. Other resilience indicators in the study area were estimated to be below the desirable numerical value of 3, indicating a moderate to low status. Furthermore, among the sample villages, Aliabad ranked first with an average rank of 253, followed by Dovlatabad with an average rank of 210, Hossainabad Dehdar with an average rank of 205, and Ismaili Sofla with an average rank of 179. This finding indicates that villages with a larger population and diverse economies tend to have higher resilience indicators. Based on this, over 52% of the villages in the study area do not have a desirable status in terms of the examined indicators, while only over 16% are in a desirable state.
The rural community's ability to withstand and recover from challenges has been achieved through various means. These include economic growth, increased production in agriculture, industry, and services, ensuring fair distribution of services to rural residents, creating more job opportunities, controlling inflation, improving welfare, supporting a knowledge-based economy, paying attention to scientific aspects of rural economics, engaging educated individuals in rural affairs, encouraging participation in village-related matters and meetings, providing a platform for criticism and suggestions to Islamic councils, cooperating with officials, improving access to basic services for all residents, increasing migration rates, and more. All these measures contribute to the sustainability of the rural economy, including employment, investment, productivity, income, and other production factors in the study area.
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