Analysis of non-climatic drivers of cropping pattern switching in rural areas:

Document Type : Original Research

Authors

1 M.Sc. Student, Department of Geography and Rural Planning, Faculty of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran

2 Geography and Rural Planning, Department of Geography, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Sayyed Jamaleddin Asadabadi University, Asadabad, Iran

3 Associate Professor of Geography and Rural Planning, Department of Geography and Rural Planning, Faculty of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran

10.22048/rdsj.2026.429022.2147
Abstract
The present study is a quasi-experimental study on non-climatic alternative crop pistachio drivers in the rural areas of Sabzevar, where rich studies on adaptation to climate change and drought and water scarcity in the agricultural sector are available in this regard; The statistical population included all pistachio farmers In the year 2025 in the number of 1900 farmers in all pistachio producing villages (Pervand, Malvand, Borabad, Tasband, Roodab, Barzo, Harithabad, Fasanqar, Dolatabad, Hashemabad and Robat Sarpoosh), of which 338 are farmers. After identifying distorted questionnaires; They were selected by simple and relative random sampling with Cochran's formula. The measurement tool was a questionnaire, the apparent validity of which was confirmed by several professors and experts in this field. Its reliability was obtained through Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.79. The data obtained from the five states of the Likert scale were analyzed by Pearson Correlation test and linear regression to measure the adaptation decisions of farmers and the effectiveness of each factor in the expansion of pistachio orchards; As a result, the research hypotheses were explained. In this study, all statistical analyzes were performed using SPSS v.25 software. The results showed that all indicators of climatic and non-climatic factors have directly influenced the change of cultivation pattern and expansion of pistachio orchards. Meanwhile, the variables of improving the infrastructure and irrigation system with a correlation coefficient of 0.670, increasing the mechanized level of using modern tools and machines with a correlation coefficient of 0.663, training and consulting government officials, companies and marketers with a correlation coefficient of 0.572, proximity to pistachio growing areas and imitating them with a correlation coefficient of 0.553 and obtaining a new product with a correlation coefficient of 0.387 compared to other factors had the greatest impact on the formation of this phenomenon; In this way, perhaps in the initial observations and in the public and administrative minds, climate change and drought are considered as the main factors of replacing pistachio and pistachio cultivation, but income generation and profitability are still the main problem of farmers. Policymakers should design more effective interventions based on market and technological

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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 08 September 2026