Investigating the Contexts, Causes, and Consequences of Underdevelopment in Kurdistan Province (A grounded theory in the field of agriculture)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Sociology. Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran

2 Department of Geography, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran

Abstract

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.

Keywords

Main Subjects

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.

References

Alizadeh, M. A., Ahmad Reza. (2010). The Role of Private and State Transfer Capital in the Development of Agricultural Sector in 2025 perspective. National Agricultural Share and Natural Resources in the Development of the Islamic Republic of Iran in 2025 perspective., 1.  (In Persian).
AVKP. (2019). Agricultural view of Kurdistan province.  (In Persian).
Azizi, s., abdi, a., & rad, m. k. (2015). The Role of Border Markets in National Convergence (case study: Siran Band border market of Baneh). Journal of Border Studies, 3(7), 5. (In Persian).
Bacsi, Z., & Kovács, E. (2006). The role of cross-border cooperation in rural development-a new European perspective. Journal of Central European Agriculture, 7(3), 485-488.
Casey, D. (1999). Community Development in the Third World: Walking a Fine Line. Development in Practice, 461-467.
Crocker, D. A., & Kaufman, A. (2006). Capabilities Equality: Basic Issues and Problems.
Daneshmehr, H., & al., e. (2020). Border development and the disappearance of capacities and opportunities of border communities, emphasizing the critique of border markets (Case study; Nanor border bazaars of Baneh, Khav and Mirabad counties of Marivan city). Welfare and Social Development Planning, 11, 43 . (In Persian).
Daneshmehr, H., & al., E. (2022). Contextual Analysis of the Failure of Cooperative Functions of Border Dwellers in Kurdistan Province in the Context of Informal Border Economy. Community Development (Rural and Urban Communities), 14(1), 205-232.  (In Persian).
Ebrahimpour, S. (2000). Ranking of Iranian Provinces on the Basis of Human Development Persons in 1996 and Social Loom. (M. A), Yazd. (In Persian).
Fallah Haghighi & et al. (2022). Analysis the Trend of Changes in Agricultural Development among Provinces %J Iranian Journal of Agricultural Economics and Development Research. 53(3), 723-737. doi:10.22059/ijaedr.2021.331372.669086. (In Persian).
Flick, U. (2022). An introduction to qualitative research. An introduction to qualitative research, 1-100.
Ghaderzadeh, H., & et al (2015). Measuring the level of development of the cities of Kurdistan province using the main indicators of the agricultural sector. Journal of Agricultural economics and development, 1(25). 1-23. (In Persian).
Griffin, K. (1999). Alternative strategies for economic development: Springer.
Hajineszhad, A., & Ahmady, A. (2011). The Economical Effect of Trade Tourism on Urban Areas; case study: Baneh City. Journal of Urban Ecology Researches, 1(2), 7-22.  (In Persian).
Jalaeipour, H., & Bayangani, B. (2017). Sociological Study of the Economic Consequences of the Market and Border Trade (Critical Ethnography of Baneh Border Market). Quarterly of Social Studies and Research in Iran, 5(4), 539-573.  (In Persian).
Khan, W., Jamshed, M., & Fatima, S. (2020). Contribution of agriculture in economic growth: A case study of West Bengal (India). Journal of Public Affairs, 20(2), e2031.
Kheirollahi, M., Alibaygi, A. H., & Rostami Ghobadi, F. (2022). Multifunctional Agricultural Development Strategies In Dehloran Township (Ilam province) %J Iranian Journal of Agricultural Economics and Development Research. 53(3), 583-602. (In Persian).
Mohammadpour, A. (2011). Qualitative research method (anti-method). Tehran: Sociologists Publications, 1392.  (In Persian).
Prasada, D. P. (2022). Agriculture and Economic development. In Agricultural Policy Analysis: Concepts and Tools for Emerging Economies (pp. 29-47): Springer.
PSRC. (2015). strategic problemology in Kurdistan province.  (In Persian).
Rashidi, H. (2020). Development in Kurdistan: uneven development during identity changes. Journal of Iranian social studies, 13 (3), 57-80. (In Persian).
Rafeefar, J., & al., E. (2012). Theory and method in research of Indigenous knowledge and its role in the process of rural sustainable development. Community Development (Rural and Urban Communities), 4(1), 19-38.  (In Persian).
Raza, S. A., Ali, Y., & Mehboob, F. (2012). Role of agriculture in economic growth of Pakistan.
Rohani & et al. (2021). Analysis of the effective factors on dimensions of sustainable agricultural development in Khorasan Razavi province, using seemingly unrelated regression equations %J Iranian Journal of Agricultural Economics and Development Research. 52(1), 33-52. doi:10.22059/ijaedr.2021.308780.668977. (In Persian).
Sadeghi Rad & et al. (2014). Survey of geotourism potentials of Kurdistan province as a new branch of aquatourism. the first always national tourism, Dramad and Opportunity, 1.  (In Persian).
Seifollahi, N., & Mohammadkhani, R. (2023). Identification of Barriers to Develop the Fruit Production Chains( Case Study of Orchards in Meshginshahr). Journal of Agricultural Economics and Development, 36(4), 377-392. doi:10.22067/jead.2022.76629.1132. (In Persian).
Sen, A. (2003). Democracy and its global roots. New Republic, 28-35.
SPKP. (2019). Study Plan of Kurdistan Province. (In Persian).
Statistical Yearbook of Kurdistan Province (2015) and statistical calculations of researchers (In Persian).
Strauss, A., & Corbin, J. (1990). Basics of qualitative research: Sage publications.
Todaro, M. P. (1977). Economic Development in the Third World: An introduction to problems and policies in a global perspective: Pearson education.
Vargas, C. M. (2000). Community development and micro‐enterprises: fostering sustainable development. Sustainable Development, 8(1), 11-26.
Walker, D. L. r. (1982). Community Development Specialist. Music Educators Journal, 69(2), 69-69.
Iranian Journal of Agricultural Economics and Development Research
Volume 55, Issue 1
April 2024
Pages 73-93

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics