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Bahman Khosravi Pour, Maryam Tahmasebi, Maryam Ameri,
Volume 9, Issue 34 (2-2021)
Abstract

Introduction
The experience of pursuing development goals in many countries show that achieving the objectives depend on considering the position and role of women as part of the active labor force of society especially in rural areas, which will ultimately lead to economic and political development. In addition, due to the large number of unemployed population especially women in rural areas, small home businesses have been created by using their individual creativity and the capacities of rural communities, exploiting new opportunities, dissemination and strengthening of sustainable innovations. This is one of the important priorities of development strategies that can play a significant role in empowering local people, reducing poverty and improving the livelihood of rural households.
In the meantime, supporting local financial investments and guiding women in order to set up micro-credit funds, seems to be a fundamental and appropriate solution for business development and economic prosperity of local communities. This will create economic, social and institutional equality, and provide training and business opportunities.
Given the importance of women's participation in economic activities to accelerate and facilitate the process of rural development, this study aims to identify the factors affecting entrepreneurship development from the of members’ perspective of rural micro-credit funds, i.e. rural entrepreneurs in Abadan County. Businesses such as alfalfa and various vegetables cultivation, production and supply of indigenous chicken, etc., which are agricultural-oriented and form the basis of women's economic activities.

Methodology
The present study seeks to identify the underlying factors affecting the development of rural women entrepreneurship, hence it is considered an applied research. The research design and data collection method is based on the non-experimental survey approach.  The statistical population of the study included 100 rural women members of micro-funds in Abadan who has started, managed and developed their businesses. A sample of 80 people was randomly selected for the query using Morgan table.   The research measurement tool was a researcher-made questionnaire. The content validity of the measurement tool was verified by practitioners and leading women entrepreneurs in the region. The reliability of the measurement tool was also evaluated and confirmed by calculating the Cronbach's alpha coefficient regarding the current and optimal status of the effective factors.
 
Discussion and conclusion
According to the findings of the study, the average age of sample was 34.3 years. More than half of them had primary and secondary education, and one tenth had university education. 2.5% were heads of households and their average economic activity was reported to be 4.5 years. The results showed that preparing households and citizens to encourage women to produce and work by government agencies has the highest score in the current situation. Also, the provision of inputs needed by women to produce goods and services, the land devotion for business development and the provision of insurance services to women entrepreneurs were at the lowest level. Also in the desired situation, the first three priorities were the establishment of entrepreneurship incubators in rural areas, providing financial assistance in the form of subsidies and easy access of entrepreneurs to the required information, knowledge and technology. These can be combined to the three priorities mentioned above. It is concluded that if specialized centers for entrepreneurship consulting and business development are established in rural areas in order to educate and empower women and identify their and train them in the mentioned centers. As a result, entrepreneurship development can use practical advice and credit and facility support, improve the business of rural women with a more appropriate approach.  Also, the factors affecting the business development of rural women were classified into 5 categories: technical, institutional-infrastructural, educational, cultural and social factors. Based on them it is suggested that in order to promote sustainable production activities in rural communities, a working group consisting of provincial and local managers , executive administration, CEOs of credit funds, financial institutions such as Omid Entrepreneurship Fund along with other business environment development actors (representative of the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labor, Welfare and Social Security, representative of the development of deprived areas from presidential office, etc.).  Furthermore, it is needed to establish a city and provincial business office, and facilitate women’s progress while carefully analyzing their obstacles and problems. In addition, designing, and implementing a comprehensive business and entrepreneurship development projects that plans an activity to its development and stability is suggested. Establishment of entrepreneurship incubators in rural areas and arranging various educational-promotional programs by attracting the active participation and dynamism of rural women will increase the knowledge and experience of women entrepreneurship. Also, in order to increase the success rate of credit funds and present successful business plans among rural women, it is necessary to seriously pursue and implement entrepreneurial training and design programs with emphasis on regional potentials and based on creativity and innovation. So, courses on how to start a business and improve your business seems to be effective.

Zohreh Maryanaji, Ali Vejdani Nozar,
Volume 9, Issue 34 (2-2021)
Abstract

Introduction
Agriculture is the main axis of economy and development of rural areas of Azna County, which has an important role in the performance of the village and the rural environment. Regarding to natural environment and climatic factors, performance evaluation of agricultural products is one of the important pillars of sustainability of food supply and rural economy. Climatic hazards such as frost cause damage to agricultural products and the economy of rural areas. Freezing and lowering the temperature in mountainous areas is very important. Because precipitation in these agricultural areas plays a key role in the region's economy.
Azna is one of the counties of Lorestan Province, whose rural areas, like most villages in the country, have an economy based on agricultural activities. In the villages of this city, in addition to the cultivation of conventional crops such as wheat, the cultivation of crops such as beans is common, as this city is the center of bean production in the province and the country. The climate of this region, which is partly affected by the geographical location of Azna County, has positive and negative effects on agricultural products such as beans. The occurrence of spring frosts has caused damage to this crop in recent years. In this regard, this study seeks to investigate the relationship between spring frost and bean crop yield and its effect on rural economy. Another goal of modeling is frost alternations and its relationship with crop yields.
 
Materials and Methods
Pearson correlation test was used to investigate the relationship between spring frost and bean cultivation performance. Two models of K-NN and artificial neural network were used to model the behavior of frost and its effect on frost in bean crop. For this purpose, 15-year statistics (2004-2008) of Azna meteorological station were used, which includes information on minimum temperatures and sub-zero temperatures and tolerance thresholds in different stages of bean plant phenology.
The nearest neighbor K-NN method is one of the most popular nonparametric regression methods. In this method, the prediction value distribution function is obtained using the nonparametric distribution of the kernel function. This model is formulated in such a way that whenever conditions similar to the historical conditions observed in the present occurrence, the probable conditions in the future will be similar to the conditions that occurred on that date.
Neural networks are actually mathematical models for the rapid and accurate processing of information that are able to communicate between the inputs and outputs of a physical system, connected by a network of nodes. In other words, the artificial neural network is a computational mechanism that is able to provide a series of new information by capturing and calculating information.
 
Discussion and conclusion
This research consists of two main stages. In the first step, the relationship between bean harvest rate and the phenomenon of freezing and frost is evaluated, and in the second step, using the K-NN algorithm and neural networks, the effects of freezing on bean cultivation are predicted based on observational data Based on the data extracted from the minimum daily temperature of Azna station., which indicates the long frost season in this region. The mild frosts occur mostly in October (6 cases) and the rest in December (8 cases). The earliest date of frosts is on the 20th of October and the latest date of frosts is on the 18th of December.
The results of Pearson test showed that there is a correlation coefficient (42%) between bean harvests in Azna villages with spring frosts. In other words, the occurrence of spring frosts reduces bean yield by up to 42%. As a result, the level of farmers' incomes decreases and farmers whose source of income is heavily dependent on annual crops experience severe economic fluctuations. Other objectives of the study were to model the temperature drop and frost damage in crops and bean yield in Azna County using two approaches K-NN and artificial neural network. The results of Nash-Sutcliffe and RMSE statistics in the K-NN model are (76.4%) and (0.0785), respectively, while the same statistics in the artificial neural network model are equal to (81.5%) and (0.0688).
Therefore, in the same condition, the artificial neural network model predicted the actual data better, based on computational data. Thus, in agricultural economics development plans, this model provides a merrier estimate of the state of frost and its effect on bean crop yield. Lowering the production, crop frost will affect other indices such as employment rate, income shortage, savings and investment by reducing production. Because cultivated area of this crop is higher than other crops, frost in beans has caused great economic losses.

Seyed Hassan Motiee Langroudi, Fazileh Dadvar Khani, Hadi Yaghoot Hardani, Mojtaba Ghadiri Masom,
Volume 10, Issue 35 (4-2021)
Abstract

Introduction
In recent years, environmental concerns have been raised as one of the major global challenges and issues that affect countries both individually and collectively, so efforts to integrate the principles and aims of sustainability and environmental as well as economic and social considerations have become one of the main priorities of development planners and politicians, including rural development decision makers. In this regard, strategic approaches to environmental assessment are the most powerful methods and tools to achieve the aforementioned goal, which can be available to rural development planners and decision makers. These approaches are formal, systematic, and comprehensive processes that separately or integrated with planning systems identify, predict, evaluate, address, and mitigate biophysical, economic, and other aspects of development before making key decisions and adopting strategic actions. The approach is currently being introduced in many countries as a support tool for decision-making and a prerequisite for the approval, prescribing, implementation of economic policies, plans and programs, and economic investment projects. Today, due to the extraordinary capabilities of strategic approaches to environmental assessment, their application in the rural development planning and decision-making system is considered as an inevitable necessity. Based on the experiences of several decades of development planning in Iran, focused on rapid economic growth has led to neglecting environmental, economic and social considerations in various national, regional and local development activities and initiatives. rural areas, as a result, are not exception from significant and uncontrollable damage to human and natural environment. This is especially true for Khuzestan Province in south west of Iran, especially its rural areas, which are directly dependent on natural resources and environmental capital for their livelihood and are subject to many development projects. By such an approach, the purpose of this study is to conceptualize the strategic approach of environmental assessment in rural development planning. In addition to its application to screen environmental effects and consequences of the strategic plan of economic development of counties in Khuzestan, as one of the most important and effective strategic initiatives for rural and urban settlement development.
 
Methodology
The present research is applied based on the purpose and type of research, and descriptive and survey (analytical) methods in terms of nature and method. Strategic environmental screening of the strategic plan of economic development in Khuzestan Province has been done in the framework of fuzzy Delphi technique and with the advice and survey of 26 responsible practitioners in various fields related to rural planning and to 33 key environmental components. According to this framework, two basic conditions such as the percentage of consensus of experts equal to / or more than 75%. Moreover, the condition of standard rank based on the definite value of environmental importance equal to / or above the threshold (0.7) was considered as acceptance environmental significance criteria. The opinions of the expert group were collected and analyzed using a checklist and a screening matrix based on a 7-point Likert scale.
 
Discussion and conclusion
Strategic environmental screening findings showed that, from the perspective of the expert group, the effects and environmental consequences of the strategic plan of economic growth and development for Khuzestan counties on 25 key environmental components, including the effect on biodiversity and habitats, population (concentration and migration), human welfare and livelihood, environmental health, flora (vegetation), soil, surface water resources, air quality, climatic conditions, material assets and renewable and non-renewable natural resources, rural landscape, land use, waste generation, rural and urban settlements, transport and communications, industrial structures, national and international protected and natural areas, national and international protected cultural areas, densely populated areas, areas with intensive land use. All of these components are in “noticeable” level and in the future can cause the formation and aggravation of environmental problems and issues.  Screening findings also showed that based on the consensus of the Expert Group (POC) and definite values of environmental importance (Amax/CV), the effects of strategic initiative on 8 environmental components including risk and impact on human health, animal cover, groundwater resources,  architecture and ancient values,  hazardous substances into the environment, the effect on areas with different protection regimes and other environmental components are less than the threshold of 0.7 and in the form of "non-noticeable". Given that, it can be concluded that the strategic plan of economic growth and development of Khuzestan counties for many screening criteria and key environmental components are vital. Furthermore, its implementation can have significant effects and consequences and irreversible damage to the environment of rural and urban areas. Thus, based on the findings of strategic environmental screening, the need for accurate environmental and technical assessments of the strategic initiatives to identify and analyze the effects and, if necessary, review, modify, improve or change the designed content and strategies. Also, it is recommended to anticipate and prepare appropriate mitigation actions.

Asghar Noor-Allahzadeh, Kambiz Hojaber Kiani, Farid Asgari,
Volume 10, Issue 35 (4-2021)
Abstract

Introduction
Increase in unemployment rate, along with growing resource depletion, is one of the economic-cultural challenges of many developing countries, including Iran. These problems are more deep and complex in rural areas. In other words, our society has been suffering from a lack of production for many years, and consequently, a high unemployment rate in rural areas, which has led to an increase in the rate of migration from rural to urban areas. Thus, in order to provide mutual financial support to small and medium-sized businesses with the priority of creating employment in rural and less privileged areas, it was licensed as a non-governmental public institution. The fund, as a support leverage of public governance, provides financial support to skilled individuals, females heads of households, villagers, elites and entrepreneurs in the form of creating a market-oriented micro-business in the form of “synergistic networking” with strategies for attracting public participation through the creation and development of local micro-funds, the development of charitable partnerships and the use of the capacity and economic benefits of the country in the development of micro and household industries with the priority of rural areas.
How to finance and invest by public and private groups, individual or group borrowers will be important and fundamental issues that play a decisive role in the success of the operation of micro-financial institutions because credit limits and how to provide collateral by borrowers and finance the institutions is one of the issues that play an important role in the success of these institutions. The more these institutions have a well-codified and well-planned program to overcome these limitations, the higher their success rate. This leads to the growth and development of rural areas. Finally, sustainable development will be accompanied by an increase in investment, production, employment, income, reducing the unemployment rate, equitable distribution of income, and etc. For this reason, the role of financing micro, small, medium businesses in Omid Entrepreneurship Fund as an organization for providing financial services, and examining how it affects the investment functions of this sector is of great importance in the issue of creating employment in rural areas and preventing migration to cities. Therefore, this study seeks to ask whether the financial services of Omid Entrepreneurship Fund have a positive effect on investment and employment functions in rural areas?

Methodology
The present article is descriptive-analytical in terms of purpose, application method, and conducted with econometric method. Its statistical population includes all small and medium workshops located in urban and rural parts of the country, which had less than fifty employees at the time of sampling. Also, the required information and data have been extracted through the library and field methods. Data related to SME financing discussion have been extracted and used from Omid Entrepreneurship Fund statistics system, as well as data related to value-added variables, number of employees, annual and per capita service compensation costs, investment value, in addition to statistics related to the ICT section, the two-digit ISIC classification codes was collected from the Statistics Center of Iran. Adding to these, the price adjustment rate was provided from the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran. International Standard Classification of All Economic Activities (ISIC) consists of a coherent and uniform structure for the classification of economic activities based on a set of internationally agreed concepts, definitions, principles and rules of classification. This classification provides a comprehensive framework within which economic data can be collected and reported in a format designed for the purposes of economic analysis, decision-making, and policy-making. The classification structure provides a standard format for organizing detailed information about the state of a country's economy according to economic principles and awareness.

Discussion and conclusion
The value added of small and medium businesses has an upward trend from 2008 to 2014 and only in 2015 due to inflation and other fluctuations in the commodity market has decreased. In other words, it can be said that in all the study years, the value added trend has been an upward trend and only in the last year, due to the weakening of the power of small and medium enterprises, they have had a decreasing value added. Value added in 2008 started with 34.870 billion Rials and by 2014 has almost tripled to 92.292 billion Rials and decreased in 2015 to 84.913 billion Rials. The value of investment in small and medium enterprises, such as the value added of this sector, has increased until 2014, but has decreased in 2015. In fact, investment in small and medium enterprises in 2008 has increased from 6.421 billion Rials to 13.589 billion Rials in 2014, i.e., more than double the increase. but in 1394 this figure decreased to 11.336 billion Rials with a declining trend. One of the reasons for this is the effect of high inflation and reduced activity in small and medium enterprises due to the lack of profitability obtained from this type of economic activity. Given the results of the estimated models, it is concluded that the coefficients and parameters of the model, have a logical relationship with job creation in rural areas, despite being significant at an acceptable level. Thus, the variable coefficient of capital price has a negative relationship with employment in this sector. The price of capital, investment in this sector has increased, which leads to an increase in production, hence growth rural employment, which is a positive relationship for production or value added and labor wages in this sector. This will lead to increase in production or value added and labor wages, employment in villages.  As a matter of fact, the amount of employment elasticity in rural areas is 0.83% regarding production or value added, which means that with an increase of 1% value added, employment in this sector increases by 0.83%. This elasticity (elasticity of labor force employment) for compensation of labor force services and the price of capital is 0.15 and 0.07 percent, respectively. That is, in exchange for one percent increase in the compensating cost for labor services, employment increases by 0.15 percent, and in exchange for one percent reduction in interest rates, 0.07 percent employment increases.

Aliakbar Anabestani, Alireza Moieni, Amin Fa'al Jalali,
Volume 10, Issue 35 (4-2021)
Abstract

Introduction
Understanding the spatial distribution of job creation credits in rural areas of the country and planning based on is a way for the economic development of rural, which will result in the prosperity of the country's economy. Therefore, it is essential to know how the spatial distribution of rural employment credits in different areas for planning and informed intervention in this field. Furthermore, the study of the spatial distribution process of allocating job creation credits leads to identifying areas with poor performance in this regard. This recognition means that in the redistribution of capital resources, it is necessary to have a larger share of public payments to the weaker areas and changes in the spatial distribution of credit allocation activities to develop employment in these areas, in which case the comparative benefits of these areas increases and investors become more willing to invest in them. In this regard, determining the spatial distribution of credits and the process of job creation of sectors and major groups of economic activities and their spatial distribution in rural areas of Khorasan Razavi province is the purpose of this study. According to the above, the main goal of the research is to identify the privileged and underprivileged areas based on the distribution of credits related to employment to create a relative balance between different regions of the province. Despite being industrial and having employment opportunities, Khorasan Razavi province has many problems and anomalies regarding fair distribution. Interfering factors in the unequal spatial distribution of employment development facilities have led to increased migration flows, unbalanced economic facilities, spatial and welfare inequalities, and increased development gaps between rural areas. Therefore, learning the spatial distribution of job creation and distribution of credits is very important in providing spatial justice in distributing these indicators. Therefore, the main research question is the study of the spatial distribution of rural entrepreneurship credits in the rural areas of the cities of Khorasan Razavi province in 13 job fields?
 
Research Methods
The present study is descriptive-analytical, at the level of Khorasan Razavi province and by city. The required information is from the data of the General Department of Cooperatives, Labor and Social Welfare of Khorasan Razavi Province, which to register and receive loans for entrepreneurial credits in thirteen main fields of energy, recycling, product packaging, ecotourism, livestock and agriculture, clothing, health, Saffron and medicinal herbs, rural services, handicrafts, greenhouse products, tourism and ecotourism, and information technology. First, while examining the spatial distribution of rural entrepreneurship facilities and credits in different fields in the cities of Khorasan Razavi province in 1998, we used GIS software to show how the spatial distribution of employment loans in the province's cities. Next, using the MABAC method, the distribution of loans received by the villagers was ranked. Later, using the obtained data identified the most important areas of business paid grants in the province's cities. Then the amount of paid grants in each area and separately in the province's cities were determined.
 
Discussion and Conclusion
The concentration of economic factors in a region plays an essential role in the formation of regional inequalities. Regional balances in the distribution of job creation opportunities enable government officials to make favorable decisions for the productivity and development of regions, and this contributes to regional economic growth. Therefore, although the geographical distribution of regional employment facilities has been the focus of empirical and theoretical studies of some researchers, the existence of regional inequalities in economic functions, primarily regional employment conditions, is an important issue. It is always the concern of national and regional policymakers. The results of studies in each of the subdivisions of the distribution of job creations credits showed that the most credits allocated in each field in different cities are as follows: energy in Binaloud and Kalat, recycling, rural services, and clothing in Sabzevar, ‌ Packaging in Khalil Abad, ecotourism in Chenaran, livestock and agriculture in Quchan, health in Joghatay, saffron, medicinal herbs, and greenhouse products in Mashhad, handicrafts in Kalat, tourism and ecotourism in Torbat-e Jam, ‌and information technology in Zaveh. Based on the results of this research and the analysis performed in the MABAC model, the highest amount of loans and occupation facilities was allocated to Mashhad city with 9 billion and 610 million Tomans and the lowest to Davarzan with 655 million Tomans. Therefore, we can say that Mashhad city, as the center of the province and rural areas around this metro, has the possibility of doing more activities, so they have the largest amount of loans and credits received. These conditions indicate that there is inequality between the province's cities in terms of the amounts allocated in loans and credits. In addition, the results of previous studies such as Bakhtiari (2002), Misri Nejad and Turki (2004), and Barghi et al. (2011) show that economic and business variables are unequally distributed at the regional level. This form of distribution affects the incidence of regional inequalities. Accumulation of capital and financial resources leads to the growth of labor, employment, and foreign direct investment, creating a competitive market structure, improving human capital, creating institutional changes, improving infrastructure, increasing savings rates, initial productivity, and so on.

Aliakbar Najafi Kani, Kobra Najafi,
Volume 10, Issue 35 (4-2021)
Abstract

Introduction
The tourism industry can provide a good platform for investment, and because of its less reliance on resources, provides an opportunity for less developed countries to stimulate their economic growth to increase production and create job opportunities. Meanwhile, the villages have very favorable and special conditions in accordance with their cultural, social, economic, geographical and natural structure. Today, tourists are interested in visiting farms, orchards, groves, springs, cultural and tourist landscapes in rural settlements. Therefore, planning to use them to develop rural tourism is inevitable. Undoubtedly, rural tourism is a reliable source in many developed and developing countries, which can have a significant impact on increasing the income of villagers. One of the biggest benefits of the rural tourism sector is to create income and increase wages, and consequently to improve the economic situation for the people who work there. Accordingly, the overall purpose of this study is to investigate the capacity of tourism development and provide solutions to develop tourism in mountainous villages near the metropolis of Tehran.
Damavand County is in Tehran Province, which has been selected as a typical tourism region of Iran. According to the 2016 census, its population is 125480 people. This county with an area of 1932 square kilometers, includes five districts named Damavand, Absard, Kilan, Rudehen and Abali, two districts including central and Rudehen and 111 villages. Its average height above sea level is 2300 meters.
The center of this county (Damavand city) is located 75 km away from Tehran and has an average height of 2051 meters and its population is 48380 people.
The central district of the county consists of three rural districts, Jam Abroud, (Absard city as capital), Abarshiveh Rural District, (Sarbandan village as the capital), and Tarrud Rural District, (Mara village as the capital), which overall have 87 villages.
Damavand mountainous and countryside county, with its many capabilities and diverse geographical landscapes, has potential and actual capabilities to attract tourists. Abali track, lakes such as Tar and Havir lakes, several waterfalls such as Tizab, Ayeneh Rud. Cheshmeh A'la and Roodafshan Cave and its numerous springs, beautiful gardens and farms, and a very pleasant climate are among its tourist attractions.
The most important attractions of this area attract many nature enthusiasts. For many years, it has been used by the public, especially the residents of the metropolis of Tehran, and many travelers travel from other areas, so comprehensive understanding, design, and proper management to develop tourism in this area is essential and inevitable. Accordingly, the present study, by examining and explaining the important factors of tourism development, tries to consider the welfare of present and future generations, improvement in the quality of life and finally improvement of economic and social welfare level and creating a healthy rural environment in the study area. According to the mentioned issues, the fundamental questions of the research are as follows:
  • What is the capacity of rural tourism in the studied villages?
  • What are the key strategies to solve tourism issues in rural areas?
Research Methodology
Research type is applied research and the research method is descriptive-analytical and field study. The statistical population of the present study is rural households living in the twelve studied villages that according to the 2016 census the population is equal to 14024 people and 3600 households, 15 questions in this research as tourism development capacity and 18 questions as possible challenges for tourism development. It was set in a five-level Likert item (very low, low, medium, high and very high). Tables 1 and 2 demonstrate the reliability of the research instrument using Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the studied components which were 79%, the sample size was 260 by using Cochran's formula and the number of samples was randomly simple/systematic after measuring, the generators were analyzed by using SPSS software and using a hierarchical cluster analysis method.

Discussion and Conclusions
The results of studies in the field of rural tourism show that tourism is an important factor in the occurrence of positive and negative changes in the economic, social and environmental fields at the local and regional levels. Although this activity can lead to the development of rural areas, it can have both adverse consequences. The results of the Friedman Test for measuring the tourism development capacity explain a significant difference at the 99% level with each other. Also, for the challenges of tourism development a significant and 95% difference between the investigated indices is observed. The results of the hierarchical cluster analysis test (neighborhood matrix calculations) Euclidean distance of each village is compared to the next village and based on this, the similarities and differences of the villages have been explained. Then, the clustering process is done in eleven stages, and the studied villages are classified into four categories in terms of tourism capacity. The first cluster villages (Moomej, Jaban Ayneh Varzan) and the second cluster villages (Sarbandan, Zan, Seyyedabad, Havir, Dehnar and Shalambeh) have the most tourism development capacity respectively. Although the third cluster village (Vadan) and the fourth cluster villages (Sorkh Deh and Hashemak) have many tourist attractions compared to the first and second cluster villages, they have lower tourism development capacity. The studied villages are also divided into four categories in terms of the challenges of tourism development. The first cluster village (Moomej village) and the second cluster villages (Jaban, Sarbandan, Vadan, Zan, Ayneh Varzan, Seyyedabad, and Dehnar) have the most challenges in tourism development, respectively. However, the villages of the third cluster (Havir and Shalambeh) and the villages of the fourth cluster (Sorkh Deh and Hashemak) have the least challenges respectively. It can be concluded that while some villages have a high tourism potential based on studied indicators, some of them are also more vulnerable. Therefore, the endeavor of all local managers and officials towards the comprehensive management of rural tourism development is essential and inevitable.

Mohammad Nasiri Lakeh, Nasrollah Molaei Hashjin, Eisa Pourramzan,
Volume 10, Issue 35 (4-2021)
Abstract

Introduction
The rural management system in Iran has undergone complex transformations in terms of socio-economic structures over the years, and efficient management void in rural areas in the long run, especially in recent decades, has posed many obstacles for villagers.
In this regard, it is necessary to explain the importance of local management in all dimensions and explain the role of local managers in performing tasks in rural areas in order to increase productivity, efficiency. After the formation of Islamic councils, and subsequently the establishment of rural municipality paved the way for giving the people the authority to manage. This leads to social capital in these areas, which can follow ensue further development.
In the present study, we first identify the weaknesses, strengths, opportunities and threats of the current rural management system, and then by reforming the rural management system, it provided conditions for the socio-cultural and economic development of villages in the central region of Guilan Province.  Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the rural management system and rural economic and socio-cultural development in the central region of Guilan Province.

Methodology
According to the purpose, nature and method, this study is considered as an applied and descriptive-analytical research, respectively. In order to achieve the purpose of the research, the technique of direct observation was utilized in five dimensions to obtain data on the status and level of development of the studied counties. The statistical population of the study is the central area of Guilan province, villages depending on their height above the sea level are in two classes: coastal-plain and foothill-mountain. In order to select the samples in the villages of each county in the central region two criteria of population and geographical situation were considered. 120 villages were randomly selected from the villages from six counties of the region. Descriptive and inferential statistical methods as well as SPSS software were used to explain the central tendency and variability. Tables based on the T test and Arc GIS was used to produce the maps.

Discussion and conclusion
In this study, rural development in the central region of Guilan has been studied as a dependent variable in both economic and socio-cultural dimensions. In order to study rural management in two socio-cultural and economic dimensions, 33 items are considered "socio-cultural" and 31 items are considered "economic".
The item of raising the level of scientific knowledge of the villagers has obtained the lowest average score (3.17) in a total of 33 items studied in the socio-cultural dimension. In general, the average score of all social items is 3.71, which is higher than the mean, or 3, so it can be concluded that the improvement of rural management system is effective for socio-cultural development of villages. Also, the improvement of rural management system provides the socio-cultural development of the villages. It was also found that the items of cooperation with the Civil Registration Organization, recognizing social and cultural deficiencies and suggesting plans, introducing orphaned kids to support institutions, providing cultural and educational facilities and preparing support plans were among the most important items.  
In general, the average score of all economic items is 3.55, which is higher than the mean, or 3, so it can be concluded that improving the rural management system is effective on rural economic development. The items “estimation and regulation of annual rural budget", “business licensing", "impact of improving new management on rural economic development", "types of rural insurance" and "preparation of reform plans and proposals" in the economic sector with the highest scores, thereby are more important and effective than other items.
According to the findings of the present study, rural management in the central region of Guilan has economic and socio-cultural disadvantages. Therefore, suggestions in each of the dimensions of economic and socio-cultural development are presented as follows:
  • Predicting credits and facilities to support rural entrepreneurship according to the capacities of each village.
  • Preparing priority employment-generating plans in order to enjoy government support from the executive management of the villages based on the capabilities of each of the villages in the district.
  • Holding educational programs for Islamic village councils and rural governors relating to their various duties, rights and laws and regulations.
  • Holding rural employment and entrepreneurship training courses for villagers in the central area of Guilan.

Mohammad Ghasemi Siani, Iraj Ghasemi,
Volume 10, Issue 35 (4-2021)
Abstract

Introduction
The government is the first and most powerful decision-maker and actor in the field of spatial structure. Spatial structure is an essential part of the battle for control and protection of individuals and society. In fact, spatial planning and land use management is the manifestation of the government authority in the form of setting rules and allocating resources and decision-making. Border areas are one of the most strategic areas for government intervention. These areas have special characteristics due to contact with the internal and external environment regarding the effect of diplomacy.  Therefore, planning with the aim of sustainable development of settlements, especially border areas, creates the requirement for spatial organization of rural areas so that macro and national issues, such as security issues can be organized more accurately and efficiently.
Zahak County is one of the special border areas in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, which is of special importance due to trade, the existence of a border market, Helmand river entrence and water diplomacy. The article aims to investigate the role of macro-management and diplomacy and its economic consequences on the structure and organization of space in Zahak County.  The present study explore political developments and decisions affect the economy and spatial structure (activity, communication and housing) of Zahak County, and also the spatial changes have occurred. For a deeper understanding of the developments in the study area, this article shows the political decisions taken at the national, regional and local levels, and seeks that what changes have made in the economic structures and functions of settlements? Furthermore, what the consequences of these changes for the space organization of the residential system are?

Methodology
The general approach to the study is an integrated approach, both quantitative and qualitative, and an emphasis on integration to overcome the shortcomings of each approach. Therefore, the research method is descriptive-analytical. In the theoretical part of the research, using a qualitative approach and a library method. The theories and principles governing the study were explained, and then the position of power and policy in regional planning was examined.
 In the quantitative and field studies section, 184 special questionnaires for village managers were distributed in all villages with more than 20 households in the county and 10 interviews were conducted with managers of government offices and organizations in Zahak County.

Discussion and conclusion
The results show that under the influence of diplomacy between the two border countries, with the closure of the border market and the creation of a border wall, the economy of rural areas and activity in the east of the county, which is based on trade and agriculture, has declined. In addition, due to unemployment and lack of economic activity in many villages, they were evacuated and disserted.  Moreover, ethnic and cultural diversity has paved the way for the instability of newly established settlements by pursuing a policy of rural relocation. With centralization and support for population centers, the pattern of communication flows in the city is a polarized pattern emphasizing Zahak and Zabol cities, which does not follow the pattern of networks and has provided the ground for instability and decline for villages outside the network.
This study showed that the spatial pattern of rural activity and economy is influenced by water and soil resources, which corresponds to national, regional and local diplomacy. In other words, the political and power relations between the governments of Iran and Afghanistan have affected agricultural activity and even industry and population dispersion.
The economic structure of the villages, which was based on agriculture, animal husbandry and horticulture, has currently changed into informal, illegal and smuggling jobs due to the developments and major national decisions at the county level.  Also, cross-border trade and commercial activities in the villages have been converted.  On the other hand, based on the mentioned developments, the county space organization has a polar nature in the center of the city towards Zabol City, hence incompatible with the network pattern. This structure has somehow caused instability, especially in small villages, and due to regional conditions in the future, these villages are subject to be evacuated.

Manijeh Ahmadi,
Volume 10, Issue 35 (4-2021)
Abstract

 
Introduction
The poor management of water demand in Iran has led to increasing demand for this vital source and wasting great amount of this material. Therefore, water resources management has been declared as the most important socio-economic subject, and it is vital to find useful solutions in order to manage this resource sustainably. In this path, despite the location of Ghani Beiglou Rural District near the water-rich-river called Mirjan, the water balance of this area had been violated due to over use and lack of rainfall in the way that some of the villages in this area had no choice unless to get water access rationed. On the other hand, the life of almost 80 percent of villagers depends on agriculture, which is no longer possible due to lack of water. Therefore, shortage in water resources in this territory had caused vital problems such as not using water consumption sufficient policies in the time of crisis, no support of new suitable irrigation methods from the government, decrease in agriproducts efficiency, decrease in employment, investment and income of the agriculture sector. Finally, identifying the factors and solutions in water resource management could be an effective step for improving the water resource management in agricultural sector in this region. Therefore, purpose of present study is to analyze and assess rural sustainable water management in Ghani Beiglou Rural District. 
 
Reseach Methods
This study has applied purpose, and it is descriptive-analytical in nature. Data have been gathered by library and field methods. Statistical population is rural farmer families in Ghani Beiglou villages in Zanjan District. According to 2013 agricultural survey, this district has 2054 farmer households, and the area of cultivated land is 21892 hectares. This rural district has 32 villages in its territory. We found out that among these 32 villages the water resource management projects had been designed for and applied on just five villages including Ebrahim Abad, Mirjan, Mehrabad, Andabad Olia and Andabad Sofla. So these five villages are this study’s sample. This village have 631 farmers according to 2013 agricultural census. Among them we chose 160 individuals for analysis using Cochran sampling formula. Simple accidental sampling was used in each village, and in order to analyze the descriptive-inferential data of questionnaires, we used descriptive-inferential methods.   
 
Discussion and Conclusion
The results of water resource management show that Mehrabad Village with score of 90.44 is in better situation, also in rural sustainable development, and economic aspect compare to four other villages. Andabad Olia Village is in the better condition with numerical average of 123.9, for social aspect Mirjan Village with numerical average of 108.84, for livability dimension Andbad Sofla Village with numerical average of 87.6, and for physical aspect Andabad Sofla Village have better situation compare to others. Moreover, results show that there is a significant relationship between sufficient water resource management and sustainable development of rural areas in significant level of 0.01 and the correlation rate of 0.315. Besides all these, water resource management has impact on rural sustainable development by the level of 0.271. For aspect of the amount of BETA, highest impact is for the index of knowledge and awareness with the amount of 0.522 and the institutional index of 0.036 has the second highest effect on rural development.
The recent droughts and water shortages in the region and its negative impacts on agriculture led to consequences such as decreasing in income, employment rate, investment and increasing in unemployment and job elimination and migration rate to cities. People of some of these villages had acted to sufficiently mange the water resource based on their limited and unreflecting knowledge about modern irrigation methods, on their own and/or in few cases with getting help from the government and Agricultural-Jahad Organization, even though their help is not even close to enough. As a result, Mehrabad Village is a case that is more successful than other villages in developing the sufficient water management with numerical average of 90.44 due to more individual involvement of villagers. Also, this improvement in applying such project had positive impacts on rural sustainable development and agriculture. Marjan Village for aspect of level of rural sustainable development in different economic, social, environmental and Physical dimensions is at a better situation than other villages with numeric average of 0.96. Furthermore, its been found that there is a positive relationship between sufficient water resource management, rural sustainable development and agriculture sector in this region has a vital role in providing required food, producing raw material for industry, employment and creating income. Therefore, in order to reach a more and well managed agriculture development and take steps towards rural sustainable development, this region needs to use water resources sufficiently. Finally results show that each one of the water resource management indexes has different impact on the rural sustainable development, and among them the highest impact is for the index of knowledge and awareness with Beta amount of 0.522.

Raei Seyedeh Samaneh , Ebrahim Moradi, Ahmad Akbari,
Volume 10, Issue 35 (4-2021)
Abstract

Introduction
The increasing population growth and the need for more agricultural products on the one hand, and on the other hand, the limitations of agricultural development are problems that human beings have always tried to solve. Due to the limited resources and inputs of production, it seems that further production growth is possible through advanced technologies. In fact, technology is something beyond the method of production and its processes; Technology is a mixture of knowledge, skill and technical ability. In fact, technology is something beyond the method of production and its processes; Technology is a mixture of knowledge, skill and technical ability. The use of technology can increase productivity, increase labor productivity, reduce production costs and reduce hassle of labor, hence encouraging villagers to continue agricultural activities.  Therefore, the development of technology will play an important role in development strategies and rural economy.  Based on the translog cost function, technological changes can be divided into three components: pure technical change, non-neutral, and scale expansion. Recognizing the changes in technology governing wheat farmers for this matter, and its growth rate to help improve and strengthen their status and provide analyzes based on economic principles should be considered.
Among agricultural products, wheat is considered a strategic product and has more than 50% of the total cultivation area of Iranian grain crops.  Fars Province is the second province in terms of wheat production in Iran. Despite the high capability of wheat production in Iran, this province has changed its position in production due to instable production. Thus, addressing the issue of technological changes that can affect wheat production is of particular importance.
Also, in Fars Province, zoning plan of production areas was carried out in 2013 with the aim of transferring new knowledge to producers in the agricultural sector in small managerial areas called zones. In addition to the zoning plan in Fars Province (cities), in this research, an attempt has been made to address the changes in wheat farmers' technology and its impact on the rural economy using the geographical weight regression method.

Methodology
The current study is descriptive-analytical and applied in terms of aim. The data collection tool is in the form of documents which according to the information obtained from the experts of Fars Agricultural-Jahad organization during the period 2013-2018. First, the distance between cities was created using a Google Earth software to form a weight matrix; Then, the model was estimated with the translog cost function and by considering the weight matrix and the geographical weight regression method in Stata16 software. The statistical population of the study is wheat farmers in the cities of Fars Province, which is divided into 612 parcels. Now, after several years of implementation of this plan (zoning of Fars province), technology changes by its components (pure technical change, non-neutral change and scale expansion) to produce wheat in Fars Province was examined using weight regression approach Geographical (GWR). Because each implementation of technology change requires special policies, calculating technology changes by its components is vital and necessary.
 
Discussion and conclusion
The results of estimating the translog cost function by geographical regression model showed that seed, soil and water elasticity at the level of one percent and toxin elasticity at the level of five percent are significant. High coefficient of determination is also a good sign of fitness. Evaluation of the results of calculating technology changes shows that in the study period and with a geographical regression approach, the average progress of wheat technology in the rural economy of the province sums to 0.001. In addition, the average growth rates of pure technical change, non-neutral scale expansion are -0.005, 0.021 and -0.15, respectively. The share of the effect of non-neutral technical change rate in technology changes is greater than the share of pure technical change and scale expansion.
As the results show, the average growth of technology is not significant, which can be attributed to the lack of convergence of the average growth rate of non-neutral technical change and pure technical change and scale expansion. In fact, this level of technological advancement has not been able to have much positive effect on the rural economy in Fars Province. According to the results, it is suggested that for the growth of new technology, investment in mechanization infrastructure such as leveling, drainage, land consolidation and lending to be used to better use equipment and production facilities and benefit from the optimal scale of production because in practice, the performance of new technologies will be negligible if these issues won’t be considered.
In addition, the results show that cities; Marvdasht, Arsanjan, Kazerun, Sarvestan and Kharameh, which are located near the center of the province (Shiraz), have had the greatest impact due to technological changes in the rural economy, because they have more facilities. Abadeh, Neyriz, Mehr, Farashband and Rostam, which are located in the marginal areas of Fars Province, had the lowest average of technological changes in the region's economy, because they had less access to the use of new technologies.
In addition, the results of neutral change lead to cost savings on the production factors.  In other words, technological changes have been able to manage the use of inputs to reduce production costs.

Farhad Azizpour, Fatemeh Razaghi Borkhani, Maryam Mokhtari,
Volume 10, Issue 35 (4-2021)
Abstract

Introduction
By expanding markets and diversifying products from the desired local product, "One Village, One Product" strategy, taking advantage of the region's potential in the competitive market.  Utilizing the "One Village, One Product" brand, as a global product, demonstrates pride in local culture as well as an effective economic strategy, which is intended for the development of rural areas. The present study aims to investigate the strategy of "One Village, One Product” in the development of local economy seeks to answer the question that what are the characteristics of the initial level of the strategy in Nahrmian Shazand village? What is the status of the factors affecting the strategy of"One Village, One Product” in the studied rural area?
 
Methodology
The statistical population of the study includes 5550 villagers and local officials of Nahrmian Rural District in the Zalian District of Shazand County. By multi-stage random sampling with proportional assignment of 160 people as the sample size were examined. 23 experts and officials of Omid Entrepreneurship Fund Organization in the study area were selected by purposeful and available sampling method to assess the importance of each feature of the study strategy. The research tool was a questionnaire whose validity (face and content) was confirmed by Omid Organization experts, rural development experts and faculty members in the field of geography and rural planning Kharazmi University its reliability was based on Cronbach's alpha statistics. Findings were reviewed at two levels of villagers and experts.
 
Discussion and conclusion
According to the results, the successful implementation of the initial level of "One Village, One Product” community participation, creativity, competitiveness, poverty reduction, reducing the economic gap and selling goods are effective. According to the villagers, the components of creativity, competitiveness and reducing the economic gap are in a better situation. Furthermore, the existence of small industries and workshops with an average of 23%, the use of new methods in production with 22.95%, investment in agriculture and rural industries with 22%, variety of jobs In the village with 21.6% and individual and group business with 20.95% are among the drivers of strategy in the village. Also, the components of selling goods, reducing poverty and community participation are inadequate conditions and processing and packaging of products with an average of 13.53%, cooperation with the government with 14.33%, self-confidence with 15.47%, people's efforts to reduce poverty with 15.71%, product brand with 15.91 %, Integration of land and support funds with 16.14% and rural markets and bazaars with 16.96%, according to the villagers in the implementation of the strategy of a village, a product and economic development of the studied rural area has the lowest importance and priority.  Also, using the Mann-Whitney U test and experts' opinion, the study village is only in terms of women's participation, use of new methods in product production, income status of villagers, support funds, government purchases, product sales to nearby markets. The existence of diverse occupations and reverse migration is a relatively favorable situation.  According to experts and executive officials of the strategy in the study area, the components of product creativity, product impact in reducing economic gap and competitiveness of the product are more important. Moreover, small rural workshops with an average of 26.65%, creativity with 24%, product quality with 23.8% Income of 23.78%, self-confidence with 22.66%, individual and group business with 22%, small industries and workshops with 21.73% and collective participation of villagers with 21.09% are necessary and important factors to advance the strategy.  
Therefore, along with research in the initial stage of the strategy, it is important to pay attention to nurturing people with a creativity. In terms of rural participation, there is a need for change in order to provide a basis for local participation, especially of educated, creative and entrepreneurial youth in order to implement "One Village, One Product”.  It is the locals who decide what to choose as their specialty and enhance it with original ideas and creativity. In terms of competitiveness structure, according to quality indicators, investment in rural and agricultural industries, the competitive advantage of the desired product brand should be developed locally and globally. It is suggested that in the strategy of "One Village, One Product” along with the support of regional development and the establishment of local entrepreneurship need to pay attention to economic development and economic justification of the product combined with social participation and local risk-taking, responsibility and accountability of the local people. In this regard, noticing micro-credit funds to facilitate access to rural resources has an important role in empowering villagers.

Ayatollah Karami, Neda Aliyari,
Volume 10, Issue 35 (4-2021)
Abstract

Introduction
Nowadays, the unemployment crisis has had irreparable effects as a fundamental problem on all the economic, social and cultural aspects of the community. So that the stability and destruction of some governments depends on solving the unemployment crisis. The issue of economic development has always been one of the main concerns of countries. There are two factors that affect development, productivity and entrepreneurship. Today, many social science researchers consider entrepreneurship as an effective strategy to fight poverty and save wealth in low-income societies. Comprehensive development can never be achieved without rural development. Therefore, rural policymakers have focused on developing small businesses, local entrepreneurs and regional business associations. Rural entrepreneurship is one of the most important issues discussed in the field of entrepreneurship in recent years and the most effective solutions for unemployment reduction, poverty reduction, immigration prevention, income diversification, agricultural and non-agricultural production increment, livelihood risk reduction, sustainable food security increment and is the most important source of innovation and job creation. It is also one of the main pillars of growth and development in developing countries, which is as an engine for economic development. Recently, there has been a lot of interest in promoting entrepreneurship as a means of stimulating local economic growth and development y. It is essential to know what makes people successful in becoming entrepreneurs. Policies are also needed in order to increase the entrepreneurial capacity of a community which has the greatest effect on the level of entrepreneurial activity.
 
Methodology
The purpose of this study was to identification of factors affecting entrepreneurship in rural areas of Shiraz County. The present research is applied in terms of purpose and analytical descriptive in terms of data analysis conducted as a survey in this research. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire. The validity of the questionnaire was evaluated and confirmed through interviews with experts and its reliability through a pre-test (Cronbach's Alpha ranged from 0.688 to 0.959). Data were collected randomly from 177 rural households living in Dasht-e-Arjan District of Shiraz County. Collected data was analyzed by different statistical methods such as Factor Analysis, k-means cluster analysis, diagnostic analysis and stepwise regression analysis.
 
Discussion and conclusion
The results showed that based on the entrepreneurial situation, entrepreneurs could be divided into three clusters, called cluster 1 "non-entrepreneurs", cluster 2, "medium entrepreneurs" and cluster 3, "high level entrepreneurs". Also, the level of rural entrepreneurship in the study area is high (mean score= 3.42). According to the results, the determinants of the level of entrepreneurship in the study area includes: Responsive age, level of literacy, economic status, knowledge level, social status, environmental status, sense of place, innovation and pragmatism. Based on the results, the level of entrepreneurship in the studied region is high. This result shows the villagers' highly capability of entrepreneurship which itself confirms the need for research on its affecting factor. Therefore, according to the high level of rural entrepreneurship in the region, the need to create a suitable platform for entrepreneurial activities is tangible. Based on the results, the economic factor is the most important factor that determines the level of entrepreneurship in the studied region, which other researchers also emphasize on its importance. Entrepreneurs in the studied region, in particular, residents of the village of Chehel Cheshmeh, have provided their own funds with the use of their own capital and their relatives, as well as the accumulation of rural residents' micro capital and investors in creating employment, and are occupied to such jobs as, raising native chickens, beekeeping, fish breeding, cultivating medicinal plants, processing agricultural products and packaging. The importance of this factor confirms that by creating more favorable economic conditions, it is possible to provide a suitable platform for the development of entrepreneurship in the region. Therefore, it is suggested creating favorable conditions in this field by offering favorable banking facilities in the region, the provision of raw materials and equipment at reasonable prices, lowering input prices, using sufficient machinery and equipment, and choosing brand for the production unit or the product. Another important factor is the level of knowledge. Therefore, the level of knowledge plays an important role in transforming villagers into potential entrepreneurs. By improving knowledge in the region, the background to increase the villagers' level of entrepreneurship is provided and the status of entrepreneurship will be promoted to a higher level. Therefore, increasing the level of knowledge through the provision of information by media such as radio and television, training workshops in order to get familiar with absorbing customers, advertising and marketing techniques, get familiar with efficient banking networks and supportive plans, get familiar with tax laws, imports and exports, pricing and profitability, get familiar with the principles of innovation, technologies and new methods, and introduce the potential and actual opportunities of the environment are essential. Also, based on the results, variables including age and level of literacy have a negative effect on the level of entrepreneurship. In particular, in the village of Chehel Cheshmeh, this effect is obvious and all the inhabitants of the village except old people and educated people are employed and occupied with the entrepreneurial business using the potential of the village. Hence, it seems essential to create the appropriate conditions in order to attract and act of these people in the field of entrepreneurship. In this regard, it is recommended that the planners set applied content of the courses and academic activities, as well as in line with the development of entrepreneurship and acquisition of skills in this field.

Zahra Sharifinia,
Volume 10, Issue 35 (4-2021)
Abstract

Introduction
A review of studies in developing countries shows that economic programs in developing countries to achieve sustainable livelihoods and economic issues have failed to reduce poverty and a sustainable economy in rural areas. Therefore, today, one of the biggest challenges of planning rural communities and undermining the poverty in developing countries is providing livelihood. A approach that has emerged in the last decade is the sustainable livelihood approach, first proposed by Chambers in the 1980s; and recognized by the World Development and Environment Commission. Among development theories, thus, attention to sustainable livelihood approach, for empowerment and capacity building in rural areas in order to change the pattern of life has become a desirable method, and it is one of the important tools to achieve sustainable development.  Therefore, this approach emphasizes comprehensive and integrated framework about poverty reduction and rural development. Therefore, the present study seeks to answer this fundamental question; What are the most important factors affecting the livelihood sustainability of villagers in the study area?
 
Methodology
This research is descriptive-analytical according to the purpose. In the descriptive part, to analyze the factors affecting the sustainability of villagers' livelihoods, documents and statistical methods have been used.  The statistical population of the study is more than 20 household villages in the mentioned rural area of Sari County, which includes 30 villages. The sample size was calculated according to Cochran's formula about 377 and was randomly distributed among the villagers.
The validity of the questionnaire was obtained from face validity method (opinion of professors and experts after several stages of correction and revision). To determine the reliability of the questionnaire, a pre-test (with 30 questionnaires) was performed and Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.698, which indicates the validity of the questionnaire. To analyze the data, descriptive statistical methods such as central tendency indexes (frequency and percentage), and inferential (factor analytical) indicators have been used.
 
Discussion and conclusion
Poverty is one of the most important challenges for all society, especially rural communities. Thus, various approaches have been proposed to reduce and eradicate poverty. One of these popular ones is the sustainable livelihood approach, which was introduced in the 1980s. Since this is based on the theoretical approach of development and consists of various indicators, achieving sustainable livelihood is not possible without considering all the influential aspects of livelihood. Therefore, in order to recognize the effective indicators in sustainable rural livelihood, the process of policy-making, planning and rural management should consider all indicators holistically and interconnected. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the factors affecting the sustainable livelihoods of villagers in the mentioned rural area of Sari County.  The attitudes of local people were surveyed in 30 villages of this district, and factor analysis was used to answer the questions raised in the research. Therefore, KMO value for factors affecting livelihood stability was 0.924 and Bartlett value was 9764.279, which was significant at 99% confidence level. Findings showed that 15 factors were identified and a total of 53.908% of the total variance explained the variables. So that the first factor, i.e. income and job creation with a specific amount (15.35), explained more than 15.50% of the total variance and the fifteenth factor i.e., cultural core with a specific amount of 1.384 and the amount of variance 53.908 is the last factor. In a general, it can be said that all the factors explain 53.908% of the total variance of the variables, and 47.002% of the remaining variance is related to other factors that have not been predicted.
The results of the analysis show that the impact of the index is different from the perspective of local people, which should be considered. The first factor, namely employment and income, which has an important and vital role in the sustainability of rural livelihood, is one of their basic needs, should be given special attention. It measures to optimize agriculture and activities related to local and regional capabilities.  Therefore, initiatives can be proposed to strengthen sustainable rural livelihoods in the study area. First, according to the economic needs of people living and active in rural areas via diversification of activities and income generation means, and moreover through this approach create a variety of job opportunities and creating wealth and improving the living standards of the villagers, especially those whose predominant livelihood is agriculture. Second, paying attention to the indicators that were considered the first priority by the local people, as well as to prioritize other indicators used in the research, which were ranked first to fifteenth.

Mehdi Karami Dehkordi, Abdulmatin Miani,
Volume 10, Issue 35 (4-2021)
Abstract

Introduction
The world’s population has been growing rapidly in recent decades, and statistics show that most of the added population belongs to development countries. The majority of this population live in rural areas which has an unfavorable standard of living and livelihood compared to international standard. The basis of human and economic development is based on livelihood; livelihoods include all the things that people do to make a living. In addition, livelihoods are sustainable when they can adapt to pressures and shocks, improve and strengthen or maintain capabilities and assets in the present and future, while not destroying natural resources. Sustainable livelihood is a way to think about rural development, which for rural people it leads to higher incomes, increased welfare, reduced vulnerability, improved food security and more sustainable use of basic natural resources. According to statistics, 71% of Afghanistan’s population lives in rural areas and the livelihood of rural households in this country depends on agriculture, livestock and handicrafts. A large part of the country’s economy depends on rural products, and the products of farmers and ranchers make up most of the country’s export. It is worth noting that in rural areas of Afghanistan, few studies have been conducted on sustainable rural livelihoods, and accordingly the present study is one of the most innovative and leading researchers for this area.
 
Research Methodology
This is a qualitative study of the grounded theory type with the approach of Strauss and Corbin. The grounded theory method is commonly used to achieve theory, but it also has the ability to use its techniques in the form of other qualitative methods. Methods used to collect data include observation, Interviews, field notes and written and audio recordings made during the interviews. Purposive and snowball sampling were used to collect data. The current research integrated purposive and snowball samplings were used to collect data. Purposive sampling (also known as judgment, selective or subjective sampling) is a sampling technique in which researchers rely on their own judgment when choosing members of population to participate in the study. Snowball sampling method, initial subjects with the desired characteristics are identified using purposeful sampling technique. In this study, data analysis was performed simultaneously with data collection and the researcher reached the theoretical saturation stage with 23 interviews.
 
Results and discussion
Based on the analysis, 220 codes were extracted from 23 interviews in three stages of open coding, axial coding and selective coding. Code analysis led to the identification of 27 subcategories. Finally, 19 main categories were extracted from their classification. Showed relationships between categories formed in the data that the pattern formed corresponds to the original shape of the paradigm pattern (Pattern or model) of Strauss and Corbin, that is the core category (access to sustainable livelihood) is affected by causal conditions and it influences the strategies themselves. Strategies in turn shape the consequences of the phenomenon under the influence of contextual and interventionist condition.
The causal categories of the paradigm are more dependent on agriculture, war and security challenges and the poor performance of the livestock and poultry sectors. According to the causal categories of the paradigm designed in the studied area, rural industries, rural services, livestock and poultry are very backward compared to the agriculture sector. This does not mean that the agriculture of the northern villages of Andar district is in a good condition. Rather, the monoculture of the rural economy (the majority of vineyards) with low productivity and efficiency in a traditional way has led the villages to an unfavorable living situation. In addition, due to various natural factors the risk of agricultural products is very high and has forced families to multiply their sources of incomes. But unfortunately, the increase in income depends on a particular sector (traditional agriculture). Therefore, in order to meet the economic needs of rural residents through the diversification of activities and income-generating methods, and to provide various job opportunities in this area, further encouragement should be provided.
The war and security challenges in Afghanistan have overshadowed every manufacturing and service sector and prevent any progress and it has caused the villagers to have no connection with the government and rural development department and to live in more deprivation. Rural areas have been severely damaged by war and security challenges, which have weakened the agricultural sector, demolished homes, disabled rural people and lacked investment. The population of the villages has multiplied compared to previous years, but no attention is paid to creating new job opportunities, which has led to rising unemployment, poverty and many livelihood challenges. One of the way to create new job opportunities in the studied villages is the multi-functional approach and abandoning single-function approach.

Mohsen Aghayari Hir , Mohammad Zahheri, Hossein Karimzadeh, Ali Majnuni Tutakhaneh,
Volume 10, Issue 36 (8-2021)
Abstract

Introduction
Due to its geographical location and climatic conditions, Iran is facing water shortages. A large part of the country is in arid and semi-arid climates. In addition to the dry weather of the country, mismanagement, short knowledge of farmers, outdated infrastructure, low level of technology have led to low water productivity in rural areas. The Qaleh chai watershed is one of the catchments located around Lake Urmia, which is facing water shortage due to drought conditions. This area with 36 villages is known as one of the hubs of agricultural and livestock production. According to the obtained data, the water efficiency level in the basin is less than 50%. Lack of water resources has led to the need to pay attention to ways to improve water efficiency. It seems that several factors play a role in the quantity and quality of water use, in other words, in the level of its productivity in The Qaleh Chai, and the most important ones include geographical conditions such as slope, location of villages, amount of products produced. Literacy level, number of rural households, water resources, amount of water available. By identifying and analyzing the factors affecting the promotion of water productivity in the basin, the amount of water productivity can be improved. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to investigate and find a scientific answer to the question of what is the spatial distribution of factors affecting water productivity in villages located in The Qale chai? And to what extent can the studied variables explain the changes related to water productivity?
 
Methodology
The research method is descriptive-analytical and inferential, which has based on documentary studies, libraries, and field studies. Local Moran correlation tests and geographic weight regression (GWR) tests were used to analyze the data. The variables used in this study included 19 environmental components affecting water productivity: Number and spatial distribution of springs, number and spatial distribution of wells, river water volume, water abstraction from wells, water abstraction from rivers, water abstraction from springs, length of concrete irrigation canals of all canals, the total volume of water in Consumption, number of households, unemployment rate, the employment rate in agriculture, literacy rate, rial value of tree products, rial value of rainfed products, rial value of summer crops, rial value of light livestock products, rial value of heavy livestock products, agricultural and medium irrigated land area Slope of villages to percent.
Water productivity has been used to calculate the rial value of livestock products, agricultural products, and human variables. The study area of this research is the Qaleh chai which has 36 villages located in it. The region of this basin is equal to 249.63 square kilometers, which has located in East Azerbaijan province and the southeast of Lake Urmia.
 
Discussion and conclusion
Research Findings show that the number of spring water resources is higher in mountainous villages and, the number of wells is higher in plain rural. The results of Moran showed that the variables of the Iranian Rial value of livestock production and the total amount of available water lack spatial autocorrelation. Also, the variable of the Iranian Rial value of all agricultural products has no spatial autocorrelation, but the total number of water resources has a spatial correlation. There is also an intense spatial correlation in the average slope of the villages, but the results of this test on the final water productivity lack spatial correlation. According to the results, the literacy variable of spatial autocorrelation is cluster type. The variables of household size and employment have no spatial correlation. Results The GWR regarding the causal role of the variable related to the final value of agricultural products and livestock products with water productivity showed that the last value of products with a correlation of R2 = 229 can explain water productivity. Based on the results of the geographical weight regression test, the value of R2 for social variables was equal to R2 = 0.129, which is lower than the final value variables of livestock and agricultural products.
Findings of this study show that factors such as the number of agricultural products produced, water resources, the volume of water available from water resources, land slope, number of water pumps and Iranian Rial value of livestock and agricultural products, literacy rate, employment rate, population have a significant relationship with water productivity. According to the research findings, it is clear that to achieve an efficient solution to improve water productivity in the villages located in the Qalah Chai watershed, it must have all the operative factors, including natural elements. Human factors, management factors, and physical characteristics are based on accurate, reliable data and planning occurrence.

Abdul Majid Sepahian, Seyed Mehdi Hosseini, ,
Volume 10, Issue 36 (8-2021)
Abstract

Introduction
Horticulture is one of the sub sectors of agriculture, which plays an important role in ensuring food security and livelihood of villagers. Horticultural products such as tropical fruits are produced to a significant extent in Iran, and some of these fruits in Iran are originated in Sistan and Baluchestan Province. Due to the climate condition, especially in the southern region, tropical fruits of this region still has the first rank in provision of these products. Mango and banana are the most important products, each of which has a crucial role in the household food basket due to its characteristics. In this study, considering the economic significance of tropical mango and banana products in the villages of Sistan and Baluchestan, the structure, behavior and market performance of these products are identified using the Structure-Conduct-Performance (SCP) model to exploit the maximum economic capacity. The SCP model considers structure, conduct and performance as the three elements of the market that indicates the overall market situation, and the interrelationships between the elements, and their analysis, which helps to improve the market situation. Indeed, appropriate policies and mechanisms both helps maximize the producers’ benefits and satisfy the consumer and other components of the market cycle. Accordingly, this study seeks to answer the question of what is the structure, conduct and performance of the tropical mango and banana fruit market in the villages of Sistan and Baluchestan?

Methodology
In order to reach the answer that the market structure of tropical mango and banana products in Iranian villages follows the SCP model or not, the relationship between the components of this model has been investigated. For this study, the cross-sectional data of the manufacturers of these two products are estimated using a system of simultaneous equations. According to the existing empirical studies on the relationship between market elements as well as the methods used by different researchers, three equations for the variables of structure, behavior and performance has been defined for the system of simultaneous equations. In these MS equations, it is related to market concentration variables such as Herfindahl–Hirschman Index and producer concentration ratio index. In this study, the concentration ratio index is used. R&D refers to behavioral variables such as research and development and advertising, and PF refers to the same performance variables as return on assets and equity. The three variables mentioned are endogenous or dependent variables model. And indicate the type of ownership and age. It refers to the inventory of assets and education, and performance (amount of production / area of cultivation) and income, which have been in the role of exogenous variables of the model and are analyzed by the three-stage least squares method in the system of simultaneous equations.
 
Discussion and conclusion
 The results of model estimation showed that for two mango and banana crops in Sistan and Baluchestan villages, all three components of concentration, research and development and profitability are statistically significant. The results of SCP model coefficients for mango crop show that for concentration, research and development on mango, the number of users in this market increases and the market gets closer to competitive conditions and also profitability has a positive and significant effect on concentration. As the market gets closer to monopoly conditions, the profitability of mango producers increases and as a result the number of producers in the market decreases or the market share is more unfairly distributed among the exploiters. In the R&D equation, concentration has a negative and significant effect on R&D. As the concentration among mango producers increases and the market moves towards monopolies, the motivation of mango producers and villagers to conduct research decreases. However, profitability has a positive and significant effect on research and development activities. This result suggests that as profitability increases, there will be more incentive to spend on research and development. In the profitability case, concentration has a positive and significant effect on it. In other words, with increasing concentration, or moving to the monopoly market, the profitability of products among villagers will increase and research and development also has a positive and significant effect on profitability. As research and development increase, it is expected that the efficiency of mango production and profitability will increase.
The results of estimating SCP coefficients for banana confirm that in the equation of concentration, research and development has a negative and significant effect on concentration. The more research in the field of banana product, the more users in this product, or the market will be closer to competitive conditions. Profitability also has a significant negative effect on concentration, in other words, as the profitability increases, the concentration decreases. When the profitability increases, more producers are encouraged to work in this market among the villagers. As a result, the concentration in the banana market decreases. In the R&D equation, the concentration has a negative effect on R&D because with increasing market concentration, market has shifted to monopoly conditions. As a result, banana producers in rural areas are less motivated to conduct research activities. However, profitability has a positive and significant effect on research and development. The higher the profitability of the firm, the more the manufacturer prefers to increase R&D costs in order to increase income. Since producers and villagers know that with more research and development, they will increase their profitability. Furthermore, research and development has a positive and significant effect on profitability, conducting research activities, more opportunities will be provided to banana producers in rural areas. As a result, the profitability of farmers will be enhanced.

Atieh Soleymani, , Saied Karimi,
Volume 10, Issue 36 (8-2021)
Abstract

Introduction
In recent years, a group of researchers have believed that entrepreneurial activities lead to environmental degradation. However, some researchers have argued that despite the negative effects of some entrepreneurial activities on society and the environment, entrepreneurs still play an important role in guiding business activities towards sustainability, especially social and environmental sustainability. In particular, relying on the capacities and capabilities of rural communities, recognizing new opportunities and growth of innovations adapted to local community condition can reduce these negative effects and also create opportunities for sustainable employment, income generation and sustainable development in rural areas. Researchers refer to sustainable entrepreneurship as a catalyst and a major impetus for sustainable development. In recent decades, sustainable entrepreneurship has been a growing research stream and it is time to pay more attention to sustainable entrepreneurship in the literature. Among the areas that need more detailed and in-depth study in sustainable entrepreneurship is among the research fields that needs more rogue and in-depth investigations. This is about a set necessary factors in order to integrate sustainability in entrepreneurial businesses. Furthermore, it is relevantly more important in rural areas due to the direct relationship of most of rural businesses with natural resources. Accordingly, the present study discusses the requirements and conditions for sustainable development in entrepreneurial activities in rural areas and seeks to provide a suitable integrated model for entrepreneurship development in rural areas based on sustainable rural development and sustainable entrepreneurship.
 
Methodology
The present study aims to design a comprehensive model of sustainable entrepreneurship development in rural businesses and identify the strategies essential for achieving entrepreneurial sustainability using a qualitative research approach and grounded theory. The statistical population of this study consisted of outstanding entrepreneurs with characteristics such as knowledge and experience in the field, willingness and sufficient time to participate in the research and effective communication skills in Hamedan Province. In this study, 10 people were selected and in-depth interview was used as the main data collection technique. Data was analyzed in a sequence of open coding, axial coding and selective coding. In order to increase the validity of this research, we selected research participants from outstanding entrepreneurs who both work in the field of rural and agricultural businesses, and also have sufficient scientific knowledge on sustainable development issues and the process of entrepreneurship development and rural business creation. In-depth interviews were used to collect and record the required information. In order to verify and avoid research bias, the model and the result obtained by the research team were continuously compared with the aim and checked if there is any part in the report and model that indicates a potential bias by the researchers? Based on these checkups, some reflections were considered in the process.
 
Discussion and conclusion
According to the results of the present study, the model of sustainable entrepreneurship development in rural businesses in a narrative manner and based on a ground theory is as follows: Regarding to our understanding of sustainability and its aspects as well as the requirements for entrepreneurial businesses to adhere to responsible environmental, socio-cultural and ethical actions in order to achieve sustainability and fulfill their obligations to society and the environment.  The findings show the development of rural business activities towards principles and values of sustainability requires strengthening individual factors of business owners and employees, organizational and environmental factors of enterprises.  In other words, provided that such conditions and factors are given, the growth and development of behavioral patterns based on sustainability in various economic, social and environmental dimensions in rural businesses will be possible. Internalization of such behavioral patterns also requires appropriate measures and strategies implementation such as empowering relevant institutions, enhancing media performance, continuing policies to promote sustainable entrepreneurship, strengthening cultural contexts, applying supportive policies, facilitating the access to credit and capitals, and developing educational programs, and human resource management strategies to establish responsible values in the organizational culture. Institutionalizing sustainability patterns in rural entrepreneurial businesses will lead to more sustainable rural economic growth, job creation, environmental adaptation, ensuring future access to key natural resources, satisfying social groups, achieving competitive advantage, cost savings, and improving product quality.

Fatemeh Moein, Khalil Kalantari, Ali Asadi, Somayeh Kurd Alivand,
Volume 10, Issue 36 (8-2021)
Abstract

Introduction
For decades, various programs have been designed and implemented to create food security, but the number of people suffering from food insecurity is increasing. This is the situation in rural areas of developing countries. In fact, ensuring the country's food security is one of the important pillars of the independence of developing countries. At present, agricultural products comprise an important part of the country's food need. Creating a security margin in meeting the country's food need through agricultural products requires attention to short-term demand in the current situation and long-term food demand in the coming years, and hence planning to meet the country's demand in both of the situation. Agriculture plays a key role in ensuring food security and plays a pivotal role in economic growth and rural development through the provision of demanded food and job opportunities. Wheat as one of the most important agricultural products has long been considered by humans. Among cereals used by humans, this product has a special place due to the wide adaptation of cultivation to different climatic conditions, ease of cultivation, capability of long time storage, cheapness, high nutritional value and usability in various forms. It has a long history of cultivation in different parts of the world in order to produce seeds for bread, animal feed and industrial purposes. Similarly, wheat accounts for more than 20 percent of the food expenditure of Iranian households, and wheat products provide about 40 percent of the calories and about 50 percent of the daily protein need of each person. According to the FAO, wheat accounts for about 30 percent of the world's grain production. In fact, the waste of valuable natural resources is one of the most important issues in today's society, which is mainly due to irrational consumption, irresponsibility, carelessness, disbelief and ignorance of actors involved in the processes of production, distribution and consumption of rare resources. For this reason, the issue of sustainability of the wheat production system to feed the current generation from existing sources, so that not jeopardizing the nutrition of future generations is one of the important issues of the present time. Furthermore, self-sufficiency in the production of agricultural products in the current world and food security in the country is essential. In this regard, especially the reduction of waste of strategic crops such as wheat is one of the important factors in increasing production and reducing imports. Now, according to the current demand and also with the trend of predicting population growth in the future and the importance of self-sufficiency of communities, the total production of crops, especially cereals should be increased with new methods, because the need for food grains to meet growing and unstable demand is a big challenge, especially in developing countries.
 
Research Methodology
In terms of purpose, the present study is applied and in terms of methodology is descriptive-analytical. A survey was utilized to collect the data in which the factors affecting wheat waste from the perspective of farmers have been identified. The research data collection tool is based on a researcher-made questionnaire that has been done after extracting research indicators and variables based on theoretical foundations and studies. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed based on the collective opinion of the professors of the Department of Agricultural Management and Development, University of Tehran and experts of the Ministry of Agriculture Jahad of Shush County. Cronbach's alpha test was used to measure the reliability, which was 0.85. This showed the reliability of the acceptable data for analysis. The statistical population consisted of 1230 farmers in Shush County. Sampling was done in a multi-stage manner so that one rural district was randomly selected from each part of the county and then 3 villages were selected from each of these rural districts. In the final stage, among the wheat farmers of the selected villages, the final samples were randomly selected based on the sample size estimated by Cochran's formula. In this study, in order to determine the sample size, first 20 questionnaires were distributed among the community members for pre-test and after a preliminary review and completion of the questionnaires, using Cochran's formula, the sample size was determined to be 214 people. 220 people were statistically analyzed to ensure the completion of the questionnaire and to prevent a decrease in the sample.

Discussion and conclusion
Exploratory factor analysis was used to identify ways to improve the reduction of producers' waste. Based on the results, it was found that the components affecting wheat waste in Shush County could be classified into six groups, respectively,1) The situation of cultivation and consumption of the inputs (amount of fertilizers used, field density, use of animal manures, type of previous cultivation, land area) 2) Lack of attention to education and extension (lack of promoters and technical staff in the region, low farmer experience, lack of participation in training-extension classes, the presence of weeds on the farm, lack of familiarity with the irrigation process, lack of farmer supervision) 3) Lack of technical examination and unsuitable land utilization (harvest time, grain moisture, timely harvest, type of land (in terms of flatness), unsuitable climatic conditions, germination before harvest) 4) Lack of attention to the development and organization of harvesting fleets and the motivation of combine harvester owners (lack of punctual access to combine harvester, worn combine harvester, low skill of combine harvester driver, lack of technical inspection of combine harvester, combine model) 5) Farmers' technical knowledge (delay in planting time, planting method, seed mixing) 6) Management weakness in planting and maintenance stages (type of wheat cultivar, presence of disease and pest on the field), In total, 62.26% of the variable changes express strategies to reduce wheat waste. If these six factors are considered in different planning, the level of waste will be significantly reduced.

Ali Movahed , Moslem Ghasemi , Leila Oroji ,
Volume 10, Issue 36 (8-2021)
Abstract

Introduction
Entrepreneurship is one of the development approaches of rural areas in various dimensions including economic, social and environmental. It also plays an important role as a leading strategy in the tourism sector. Entrepreneurial programs and activities can have important effects on the dimensions, indicators and different sectors of rural areas and rural tourism destinations resulting in important changes and developments in these destinations. Alamut district situated within Qazvin city, having its rural tourism resources and capabilities along with ecotourism and cultural tourism capacities, is one of the areas that has been associated with tourism growth and entrepreneurial activities in the past decade. The main purpose of this study is to assess the extent and scope of the effects and consequences of entrepreneurship programs on the changes and developments of rural tourism destinations within different dimensions.

Methodology
 This research is of applied type and in terms of the nature of data, it is a quantitative-qualitative combined research. For this purpose, first through a series of library and field studies, the set of entrepreneurial activities carried out in the past decade was identified and then the dimensions and indicators of rural tourism destinations in four dimensions of economic, managerial-human, socio-cultural and physical-spatial were identified. The main statistical population of the study was the group of experts including village councils and rural tourism researchers and scholars familiar with the region and the tourism businesses owners. Local people were also examined as a complementary statistical population in terms of quality and theoretical saturation method to complete the information. Data analysis was performed using indicators and statistical analysis alongside with qualitative analysis.

Discussion and Conclusion
The results show limited effects of entrepreneurship on the economic indicators of villages. Entrepreneurship has not been able to have significant effects on any economic indicators and the main effects are moderate and sometimes upward. Also in the socio-cultural dimension, entrepreneurial activities have not been able to make significant changes in the villages of Alamut, and these changes, which have been mainly positive, are limited. Entrepreneurial activities have a relative and moderate impact on the growth of the number of creative people and indigenous or non-indigenous entrepreneurs in rural areas, and to some extent have provided the ground for officials to communicate with entrepreneurs. In the physical-spatial dimension, the effects of entrepreneurship have been positive and negative. The average effects of entrepreneurship on the physical-spatial dimension are at a moderate and relative level. Entrepreneurship has had very little impact only on the level of protection of natural resources, but has had relative effects on the development of rural infrastructure and the level of infrastructure. However, the type of effects in this section is positive and negative. In the study of villages from the perspective of variability of entrepreneurship, Gazerkhan village, Garmarud and Evan village are in the first priority of change. Evan village has faced relative economic and physical-spatial changes due to the existence of Lake Evan and constructions, services and recreational complexes, and the structure of the village as well as the culture of the people and their social relations have been accompanied by changes. In other villages, the effects of entrepreneurship are small and limited, and in fact, entrepreneurship has not been able to make significant changes in these villages.
In generally, the results show that the level of effects and consequences of entrepreneurship on destination changes is mainly at a moderate to high level while the degree of influence of destinations from entrepreneurship programs is relative. In general, the necessary planning should be done to manage the destination in order to prevent potential threats in order to reach the optimal level of development. Although entrepreneurship has caused relative and moderate changes in various dimensions in the tourist villages of Alamut, but these cases do not mean a great change in Alamut tourism and the changes have been very slow and gradual and it cannot be said that there is no particular change in rural tourism has been created. However, although the effects are limited and cannot be considered a change, but since the changes in destinations have been evident over the years, so it can be used as a strategy and program to change tourism in rural destinations in Alamut. Another noteworthy point is that the effects of entrepreneurship on all dimensions are the same and equal, which indicates that the level of entrepreneurial activities due to its limited scope, has not had much difference on different dimensions.

Eqbal Vahdani, , Farideh Asadian,
Volume 10, Issue 36 (8-2021)
Abstract

Introduction
Agriculture is central to the economy of Kurdistan Province and plays an essential role both in the economic and political dynamism of this province. Assessing the feasibility of lands to cultivate and promote new crops is a strategic priority which increases the welfare of rural residents and optimizes resource consumption. Therefore, appropriate and optimal land use for agricultural purposes require careful evaluation of these resources as well as a meticulous investigation of climatic agricultural zoning for these lands. Climatic agricultural zoning is a set of conditions that provides the economic possibility of cultivation of each plant according to the climatic conditions in that region. Some reasons such as villagers’ economic poverty and recent droughts, the need to promote crops with low water consumption, as well as the area similarities in climatic conditions with other saffron provider areas in the country justify the development and promotion of such crops in this region. It is expected that expansion of such crops will strength the economic and social foundations of the people in the future. Saffron as the most expensive agricultural and medicinal product in the world due to its drought resistance, low water consumption, high maintenance, and the effects of employment and high income generation can play a vital role in rural development of the province.
 
Methodology
This research is applied in terms of purpose and based on a descriptive-analytical research design. First, the layers were obtained from organizations and scientific centers in the region. Next, different weighting and analysis steps were performed for each of these layers. Climate, geomorphology and soil layers were used in this research. Each of these criteria is based on the necessary conditions for saffron cultivation as well as scientific sources and the opinion of experts.  Statistics and information were obtained from the Meteorological Organization of Kurdistan Province in order to prepare the climate maps of the study.  Also, UTM system was used as a basic coordinate system for the research to integrate the maps. After and before applying weights, the consistency of the comparisons should be ensured and the compatibility rate and rank should be calculated.
Maps with a pixel size of 50-50 meters are selected. The standard maps are classified according to AHP method and aim, in which the elements of each level are compared and weighed in pairs. In this study, a 9 9 matrix has been used to compare and weigh the elements. For the next stage, according to experts, 9 layers were used to weight. At the third stage, a 5 5 matrix was prepared which indicates the ability of saffron cultivation in the region. Paired comparisons are between rows and columns and a rating scale from 1 to 9 is a typical way for evaluation.  Finally, the valuation and weighting matrices were determined according to the ten criteria of the study. The sum of relative weights for the criteria will be one in the last column. After that, the obtained weights were multiplied in the map layers in Arc GIS 9.3 software, and then by overlay operation the scores of all the map layers were added together. Ultimately, the final map of the total scores was prepared which shows the zoning areas feasible to cultivate saffron in Kurdistan Province. Five categories of this map are very good, good, average, weak and unsuitable. 
 
Discussion and conclusion
The prosperity of the rural economy improves the living conditions of the villagers by preserving and promoting their human dignity. Recent droughts, Optimal use of natural resources, as well as the area similarities in climatic conditions with other saffron provider areas in the country justify this study, which is the feasibility of this crop in Kurdistan Province. Saffron as the most expensive agricultural product on the planet can be a good source of income for the poor rural population. Findings indicate that Kurdistan Province has the ability and potential of saffron cultivation. Therefore, the promotion of this cultivation is recommended for the economic development of rural areas in Kurdistan Province.
The final map, which shows the areas for saffron cultivation in the region, is obtained in five categories: very good, good, medium, poor and unsuitable. More than 4538.8 square kilometers, in other words about 16.21% of the area for saffron cultivation is in the class of very good or in fact very suitable and without any restrictions area.  In terms of geographical location, the green color area is illustrated in the eastern, northeastern and southern parts of Kurdistan Province, or in the counties of Qorveh, Dehgolan, Bijar and Kamyaran and a few spots in Marivan, Baneh and Saqqez. This zone is suitable and in compliance for the south of Korani District, east of central part and north of Chang Almas District in Bijar County, for Serish Abad District in Qorveh County, for Central District in Dehgolan County, and for Central District in Kamyaran County.  Good areas include 5404 square kilometers, in other words 19.30% of the province, which contains the most of the north of Sanandaj and north of Saqqez Counties.  Also, the other three classes, medium, weak and unsuitable classes, cover 31.71, 19.36 and 13.42% of the area, respectively. This is more in line with the western, southwestern and northwestern regions of Kurdistan Province. The expansion and popularity of this product is recommended due to the climatic and natural conditions of Kurdistan Province.


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