Rural Development Strategies

Abstract Usually, in planning, focusing solely on economic aspects, failing to pay attention to long-term plans, relying on superficial development plans, etc., has led to the neglect of global and national political, economic, socio-cultural developments that can help reconstruct rural spaces. Failure to predict these developments and failure to take the necessary measures to reduce their negative impacts have added to the challenges in villages. This issue highlights the need for a comprehensive and sustainable approach in rural planning more than ever. A sustainable strategy is a strategy that remains effective despite obstacles, surprises, and unforeseen errors. The aim of the present study is to develop sustainable strategies for the spatial development of rural settlements in Shahriar district with a foresight approach. This analytical-exploratory research was conducted using qualitative methodology. In order to identify the driving factors, forces, and uncertainties, observation, semi-structured interviews, and group discussions were used. The data were analyzed using ATLAS.ti (for coding), MicMac (for prioritizing and scoring the driving factors and analyzing the interactions between these factors), and Scenario Wizard (for designing scenarios). Based on the findings based on the drivers, three scenarios of sustainable, fragile, and unsustainable spatial development can be envisioned for the future of rural settlements in Shahriar district. Based on the presented scenarios, strategies for optimizing the exploitation of natural-ecological resources in accordance with the ecosystem services of the metropolitan space, creating a platform for optimal population distribution in the spatial area, organizing the business space in the metropolitan space, developing sectoral and inter-sectoral links at the regional, national, and global levels, organizing the land use system of the metropolitan space, developing hard and soft infrastructure in the metropolitan space, reforming and developing a decentralized, multi-centered spatial organization in the metropolitan space, integrated territorial governance of the metropolitan space, and reforming and developing legal-institutional structures in the metropolitan space have been proposed, which can be implemented in different conditions.

Abstract The dependence of agriculture on environmental conditions has caused the activity in this sector to face natural and unnatural risks. Due to the progress of science and the use of advanced technologies in agriculture, most of the farmers in Iran still use their knowledge based on past experiences and advanced technology. It is very important to use agricultural consulting services and new knowledge in this field to minimize the losses of gardeners caused by natural and unnatural hazards. In this study, in a quantitative framework and in the structure of econometric models, while analyzing farmers' behavior towards the willingness to accept agricultural consulting services, an effort was made to establish the necessary knowledge of factors affecting the willingness to accept agricultural consulting services by pistachio farmers of Sabzevar city. In this regard, the logit model was used to investigate the factors affecting the acceptance of agricultural consulting services in Sabzevar city. 280 pistachio gardeners in Sabzevar city were selected by random sampling and all questionnaires were completed through face-to-face interviews in 2018. The estimation results showed that the variables of the gardener's age, the gardener's residence, the amount of yield and the total number of hours of water available to the gardener in a year have a positive sign. Also, the variables of the number of employed members of the household, the horticultural experience of gardeners, the connection of the gardener's educational field with agriculture and the frequency of risk incurred by each gardener had a negative sign. According to the results, suggestions such as the necessary measures to strengthen the functions of promotion and agricultural consultations were presented considering the high risk conditions in agriculture and their high impact on the economic efficiency of farmers.

Abstract Rural entrepreneurship studies show that the success and development of rural entrepreneurship is mainly influenced by various key drivers. It is necessary to identify them in the future with a forward-looking approach from the point of view of exploiting the opportunities. Because their identification shows the sustainable future prospects of rural entrepreneurship in reducing poverty in rural areas. Considering the importance of this issue, the current research analyzed the key drivers of individual and local success and development in rural adopting a future research approach in 1403. The current research is applied in terms of purpose and mixed method (quantitative and qualitative). The statistical population of this research consists of experts in rural entrepreneurship issues and managers of rural businesses in Zahedan city.A total of 30 experts were selected through non-probability sampling method using purposive sampling and achieving theoretical saturation. To collect data and information a mutual effects questionnaire and structured interviews were used in alignment with the research models and objectives. Structural model and MICMAC software were used to analyze data and information. The results of the research showed that family wealth (i.e. distribution of assets to children; inheritance) with a net effect value (18+), personal investment in entrepreneurship with a net effect value (18+), the role of rural culture in starting and running a business and work (11+), receiving financial aid through loans (5+), individual ability and motivation in starting a business (4+), using the values of rural culture for entrepreneurship (4+), having start-up skills Entrepreneurship (3+) and education about starting and managing businesses with a net impact value (3+) are the most important individual and local key drivers of the success and efficiency of rural entrepreneurship in the rural areas of Zahedan. This study suggests that a supportive environment be created in the villages of the study area to facilitate access for rural entrepreneurs. For example, by creating a specialized fund for rural entrepreneurs, their financial problems and challenges can be partially resolved.

Abstract the present study examined the status of food diversity in rural areas of Iran in 2023. To achieve this goal, the study first examined the pattern of household food consumption in rural areas of the country, calculated the food diversity index of these areas, and drew a food diversity map of rural areas of Iran. Next, the relationship between food diversity and underlying economic, social, and climatic indicators in various provinces was analyzed. The results showed that the dietary pattern of families in rural areas of Iran mainly consists of various types of cereals, providing more than 60% of an adult's daily energy. The share of cereals in contributing to daily caloric intake is 50 percent globally and 30 percent in high-income countries. The optimal food basket recommended by the Ministry of Health of Iran suggests that cereals and their derivatives should account for approximately 50 percent of daily caloric needs. However, in 29 out of the country's 31 provinces, cereal consumption exceeds the recommended amount. According to the Berry Dietary Diversity Index (BDDI), the dietary diversity situation in rural areas of all provinces in the country is at an undesirable level (BDDI average =0.578). Provinces with more favorable infrastructure, economic, and social indicators tend to have more appropriate food diversity, with average BDDIs of 0.515, 0.479, and 0.596, respectively. A study of the food diversity situation in Iran's four climates also revealed that provinces located in temperate and humid climates have more appropriate food diversity, with an average BDDI of 0.591. In contrast, provinces located in hot and dry climates have less appropriate food diversity conditions, with an average BDDI of 0.556. According to the results, it is suggested that the BDDI index be used as a tool for prioritizing target areas.

Abstract This study was conducted in 2024 with the aim of investigating effective strategies for developing insurance for the strategic product of dates and its role in the sustainability of rural settlements in the southern part of Bam Pasht, Saravan County. Therefore, it is an applied study with an interpretive and analytical nature, and methodologically, it falls within the group of qualitative and quantitative research. In this study,the statistical population was divided into two groups: experts and local residents. For the expert section,30 individuals were selected using purposive sampling to leverage their experience and expertise.For the local residents section, whose population totaled25,026 people, a sample size of 384 individuals was determined using Cochran's formula and random sampling, so that the obtained results could be generalized to the entire population. Grounded Theory and SPSS software were used to analyze the data. The results of the qualitative phase extracted the following as effective strategies for developing insurance for the strategic date product: strengthening the decentralized structure in agricultural product insurance, adopting compulsory agricultural product insurance, agricultural risk management, enhancing farmers' satisfaction with the insurance fund, raising awareness about the importance of the strategic date product and the objectives of insurance, participatory management, continuous monitoring and encouragement, and the sustainability of insurance and agricultural products. In the quantitative phase,the results of the Spearman correlation test for economic, social, physical, and environmental indicators, with a correlation coefficient obtained at a significance level of 0.000, indicated a positive and significant relationship between the indicators and the proposed strategies. Furthermore, regression results showed that 95% of the changes in the dependent variable(sustainability of rural settlements)were explained by the eight proposed strategies.The share of the 'strategic date product risk management' strategy in predicting changes in the dependent variable(sustainability of rural settlements)was greater than that of other components. Based on path analysis, the direct effects of each proposed strategy on the sustainability of rural settlements in the southern part were greater than their indirect effects.Among the proposed strategies, 'agricultural risk management' and 'enhancing farmers' satisfaction with the insurance fund' had the greatest direct effect, with a value of 0.145.

Abstract the present study aimed to investigate the success rate of three rangeland cooperatives in the villages of Barabad, Negin Baniyabad, and Mehrabad in Khaf County, the factors affecting their success, and the obstacles and limitations in 2019. In order to sample from the statistical population of cooperative members, a stratified random sampling method was used. The study was conducted using a questionnaire and the sample size was 98 people, including 80 cooperative members and 18 cooperative managers. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire were examined based on the opinions of experts and the average value of Cronbach's alpha coefficient. In order to investigate the factors affecting the success of rangeland cooperatives, Pearson correlation coefficients and chi-square values were used. Then, with the help of stepwise regression, the effective factors were extracted. Also, Student's t-test was used to compare the success of rangeland cooperatives from the perspective of ordinary members and rangeland cooperative managers. Friedman test was used to prioritize variables. Participants in the study reported the success rate of Khaf County rangeland cooperatives as good with an average of 4.26. Among the managerial competencies, the ability to establish appropriate and effective communication with rangers was selected as the most important competency of managers of rangeland cooperatives. Three educational and extension activities, including extension visits, contact with natural resource promoters, and educational and extension classes, have the greatest impact on the success of cooperatives. Among the socio-cultural factors, active and effective communication between rangeland cooperatives and the level of education of cooperative managers, both with a score of 4, are among the most important factors affecting the success of rangeland cooperatives. Among all the factors studied, management factors and carrying out side activities with respective scores of 4.13, 3.98, and3.95, had the greatest impact on the success of cooperatives. The results of prioritizing obstacles and limitations showed that the lack of effective government support and interference instead of support, weakness and financial problems are the main obstacles to the success of these companies (R2=60). It is recommended that an integrated program be implemented to empower the managers of the cooperatives.

Abstract One of the key actions of the planners of Fars province in order to help the nomadic community is the preparation and implementation of 812 pasture plans. With these interpretations, the main goal of the present quantitative and applied research, which was conducted using a combination of descriptive-analytical and survey methods, is to identify areas susceptible to the construction of nomadic ecotourism settlements among 812 rangeland management plans prepared in Fars Province in 2024. 18 key criteria were used for zoning and for data analysis, weighted overlap method and Sum operator were used in GIS software. The results showed that in terms of the ability to build nomadic ecotourism residences from the entire geographical area of Fars province: about 0.01 of its area is at a very unsuitable level; 20.99% is in an inappropriate level, 54.6% is in an average level, 21.16% is in a suitable level and 3.23% is in a very suitable level. Also, the results showed that out of the 812 grassland designs studied, 44 designs are in the completely suitable area, 178 designs are in the suitable area, 498 designs are in the medium area, 92 designs are in the unsuitable area and none of the designs are in the completely unsuitable are and the counties of Mamsani, Farashband and Lamerd have the highest capacity in terms of the construction of nomadic ecotourism residences respectively with 14, 7 and 5 selected projects. It is proposed that all activities related to the development of ecotourism resorts be carried out in 44 selected projects.

Abstract In the past few decades, with the increase in population, industrialization of societies, change in lifestyle and increasing variety of human needs, the amount of production of waste materials has increased with negative effects on human health and the environment. In this regard, the present research was conducted with the aim of identifying and analyzing the problems of rural waste management in the villages of Miami city (1402), in order to have a comprehensive understanding of the obstacles, problems and limitations that cause the unfavorable management of rural waste in the studied area. and this all-round understanding of the current situation is the basis for adopting targeted programs to remove obstacles and correct management of rural waste among the studied villages. This research is practical in terms of the method of collecting field data and in terms of descriptive-analytical method. The statistical population of this study included villagers, council members and residents of villages in Miami city, 380 people were selected using the Cochran formula. Data analysis was done using Spss software in the form of exploratory factor analysis. Currently, rural waste management is very sensitive and significant for improving the living environment of villages and preventing environmental, cultural, social, etc. The results obtained from the exploratory factor analysis showed that in total eight factors of cultural (variance percentage 18.8), sanitary(variance percentage 11.9), disposal management (variance percentage 10.0), facilities and equipment (variance percentage 7.9), awareness (variance percentage 6.1), educational (variance percentage 5.8), inappropriate location (variance percentage 4.9) and environmental (variance percentage 4.6) account for 70% of the total variance of factors related to rural waste management problems. Planning for proper waste management and paying attention to the harmful effects of waste on the environment is one of the essential principles in order to ensure the long-term benefits of sustainable development of the country. In conclusion, composting is proposed as a low-cost and effective solution for managing organic waste in rural communities, increasing public knowledge about waste separation and the importance of recycling through educational programs and information sessions, and developing infrastructure with the aim of reducing environmental impacts, increasing economi,