نوع مقاله : مقاله پژوهشی
نویسندگان
1 گروه جامعهشناسی، دانشکده علوم انسانی و اجتماعی، دانشگاه کردستان، سنندج، ایران
2 گروه جغرافیای سیاسی، دانشکده منابع طبیعی، دانشگاه کردستان، سنندج، ایران.
چکیده
کلیدواژهها
عنوان مقاله [English]
نویسندگان [English]
This research aims to investigate the underdeveloped areas in the agricultural sector of Kurdistan province, employing the theoretical frameworks of economic-social underdevelopment, local development, and grounded theory. The primary objective is to propose solutions to activate key sectors of the province's development and overcome existing obstacles. The research methodology utilizes grounded theory, with data gathered through semi-structured interviews conducted with experts, elites, activists, and officials in the agricultural sector of Kurdistan province. Thematic analysis is employed to analyze the collected data. The findings reveal that Kurdistan province is characterized by underdevelopment in the agricultural domain, and the main achievement of this research is the development of a paradigmatic model illustrating the underdevelopment of agriculture in the province. According to this model, the underdevelopment of agriculture in Kurdistan province can be attributed to the interplay between traditional livelihood activities and modern practices, as well as the neglect of agricultural capacities in the province and a lack of coordination among development organizations. Factors contributing to underdevelopment in the agricultural sector include inheritance laws, land fragmentation, and traditional agricultural systems. Additionally, inadequate continuous training, limited access to training and promotional workshops, insufficient financial capacity of the private and public sectors for investment in the agricultural domain, stringent loan conditions, and a lack of participation and investment culture in the industrial sector, particularly in agricultural and processing industries, act as significant intervening factors in the underdevelopment process. The consequences of this situation encompass the neglect of agricultural product processing and branding industries in the province, the absence of a driving force for the sector's development, and the marginalization of agricultural capacities in the province's overall development process. To address these issues, the study recommends the adoption of substantive development policies and programs, focusing on enhancing production efficiency and diversifying agricultural products and activities.
کلیدواژهها [English]
Extended Abstract
Objectives
Iran, as a developing country, has faced challenges in achieving conventional economic growth and development objectives, and has experienced a shift towards significant negative factors during the course of planning and implementing economic programs. Extensive evidence suggests that the underdevelopment of peripheral and neighboring regions in Iran is a result of inappropriate and imbalanced development policies. Therefore, this research aims to address the central issue of identifying key factors and causes contributing to underdevelopment in border regions, specifically focusing on the Kurdistan province. The study examines the agricultural sector in Kurdistan province to explore critical areas and factors influencing the underdevelopment process.
Methods
This research draws on theories of socio-economic underdevelopment, local development, and grounded theory, along with agriculture-centered strategies emphasizing the Green Revolution. Contemporary development paradigms, particularly sustainable development, underscore the importance of locally-based and participatory approaches as strategies to combat underdevelopment. Participatory development approaches consider participation in development processes as a crucial variable for local development. In this study, development is defined as a multidimensional and time-oriented process aiming to empower and raise awareness in society by adopting context-specific approaches. The goal is to overcome barriers and enhance the quality of life through good governance and management that considers local development capacities, formulates policies, and implements them based on these capacities and advantages.
The research methodology employed is grounded theory. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews conducted with 17 experts, elites, activists, and officials in the agricultural sector of Kurdistan province. Thematic analysis was utilized to analyze the data and develop a conceptual model that illustrates the relationship between variables.
Results
The main outcome of this research is the paradigmatic model of agricultural underdevelopment in Kurdistan province. The model attributes agricultural underdevelopment to the direct and reciprocal relationship between traditional livelihood activities and modern activities, as well as the neglect of the province's agricultural capacities and inadequate coordination among responsible development organizations. Factors contributing to agricultural underdevelopment are found in areas such as inheritance laws, land fragmentation, and the traditional agricultural system. Additional intervening factors include inadequate continuous training, lack of educational and promotional workshops, weak financial capacity of the private and public sectors for investment in the agricultural field, stringent loan conditions, and a lack of participation and investment culture in the industrial sector, particularly agricultural and processing industries. Consequences of this situation include the neglect of agro-industrial transformation and branding of agricultural products in the province, absence of driving forces for sectoral development, and ultimately, marginalization of agricultural sector capacities in the provincial development process. Key strategies to overcome this situation involve the adoption of development policies and programs aimed at increasing productivity, diversifying agricultural products, and implementing activities.
Discussion and Conclusion
The development of agriculture in Kurdistan province necessitates specific programs and policies focused on mobilization and capacity development. Emphasizing the development of value-added processing for products with relative advantages, enhancing productivity, and implementing infrastructure projects such as agricultural processing and complementary industries are of primary importance. However, these objectives can only be achieved with a clear vision and coherent long-term policies.
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