Analysis of Factors Affecting the Sustainable Livelihood of Rural Households in Greenhouse Cultivation Projects (Case Study: Central District of Jiroft County)
Subject Areas : Regional Planning
1 - Department of Geography, Faculty of Economics, Management and Social Sciences, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
Keywords: Sustainable livelihoods, greenhouse cultivation, livelihood assets, rural development, Jiroft County,
Abstract :
This study examines the factors influencing the sustainable livelihood of rural households engaged in greenhouse cultivation projects in the central district of Jiroft County. Using a quantitative and descriptive-analytical research method, the statistical population consisted of 358 rural households selected through a simple random sampling method. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by experts, and its reliability was measured with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.773, indicating satisfactory consistency. Data analysis, conducted using SPSS software, involved one-sample t-tests and linear regression tests to assess the relationships between variables.The results revealed that livelihood capitals (financial, human, social and institutional, physical, and natural), structural-functional factors, and environmental pressures and socio-economic shocks significantly impact the sustainable livelihood of rural households. Together, these factors explained 41.5% of the variance in livelihood sustainability. Among these, structural-functional factors had the greatest positive influence on household livelihoods, while environmental pressures and socio-economic shocks negatively affected livelihood capitals. Furthermore, the findings indicated that the overall sustainable livelihood status of rural households engaged in greenhouse cultivation is below average.To address these challenges, the study emphasizes the need to improve internal production conditions within greenhouse farming systems while also considering external factors that influence livelihood sustainability. This dual approach is critical for reducing poverty, enhancing community well-being, and fostering sustainable rural development in the region.
Extended Abstract
Introduction
Greenhouse farming has become a crucial method for addressing the increasing global food demand, enabling off-season crop production and offering solutions to challenges such as seasonal fluctuations, resource limitations, and market imbalances. In addition to its economic benefits, greenhouse agriculture plays an essential role in enhancing water and soil efficiency, improving product quality, increasing productivity, and creating seasonal jobs. Sustainable livelihoods are a core component of rural development, focusing on household resilience to economic and environmental pressures while maintaining and strengthening assets for future generations. This study explores the impact of greenhouse farming on the livelihoods of rural households in the central district of Jiroft County, located in the southern Kerman province of Iran, a leading region in greenhouse cultivation with over 14,000 hectares dedicated to this industry. The research investigates the factors influencing the sustainability of livelihoods in this context, particularly the socio-economic advantages, challenges, and opportunities that arise from engaging in greenhouse farming. Findings are expected to highlight how greenhouse farming contributes to poverty reduction, improved food security, and social development, while offering valuable insights into enhancing the effectiveness of rural development policies.
Methodology
This research aims to examine the impact of various factors on the sustainable livelihoods of rural households engaged in greenhouse farming in the central district of Jiroft County, located in southern Kerman province, Iran. A quantitative and survey-based research method was utilized to collect data from greenhouse managers, workers, and households employed in greenhouse farming across the district's villages. A total of 400 participants were selected, with the sample size determined using Cochran's formula (384), which was increased to enhance the response rate. Ultimately, 358 valid questionnaires were analyzed.
A combination of random and purposive sampling techniques was employed to ensure accuracy and reliability. The questionnaire was reviewed for validity and reliability by experts in geography, agriculture, and sustainable livelihoods. These specialists rated the questionnaire items to select those most relevant to the research topic. Cronbach's Alpha coefficient was used to assess the reliability of the tool, with all indicators showing values above 0.7, indicating good reliability.
The collected data was analyzed using descriptive statistical methods such as mean, percentage, and standard deviation, along with inferential statistical methods, including single-sample T-tests and one-way ANOVA, to test the research hypotheses and examine relationships between variables.
Results and Discussion
The results of this study indicate that different types of capital and factors affecting the sustainable livelihoods of rural households involved in greenhouse farming are interconnected in a complex manner. The regression findings show that physical capital (with a β coefficient of 0.251) and natural capital (with a β coefficient of 0.229) have the greatest impact on sustainable livelihoods. Additionally, structural-functional factors and environmental pressures and economic-social shocks also have a significant influence, though with varying impacts (structural-functional factors with a β coefficient of 0.236 and environmental pressures with a β coefficient of -0.190).These results highlight the important role of environmental and economic structures, which, alongside internal factors such as various types of capital, contribute to explaining sustainable livelihoods. Moreover, based on the various analyses, it can be concluded that improving physical and natural capital, as well as focusing on structural factors, can be effective strategies for enhancing livelihood sustainability in these areas. The results also show that economic and social pressures, along with environmental shocks, have a negative impact on sustainable livelihoods, which suggests that these issues need to be considered in agricultural development programs and greenhouse support policies to mitigate their adverse effects.
Conclusion
This study examines the impact of greenhouse farming on the livelihoods of rural residents and agricultural productivity in the Jiroft region. The results indicate that greenhouse farming can significantly improve farmers' economic conditions and reduce their dependence on climatic factors. The findings align with studies by Sharifi and Adeli (2009) and Sharifi et al. (2011) in Iran, which emphasized the positive impact of greenhouse farming on increasing farmers' income, creating new job opportunities, and reducing rural-urban migration. This study also explores the effect of greenhouse farming on land productivity and water resource conservation, which aligns with the research by Ebrahimabadi (2013) that analyzed economic factors affecting greenhouse profitability. In these studies, factors such as product prices and yield levels in greenhouse farming have been identified as key components in improving the economics of this type of agriculture.
Furthermore, the influence of government policies and financial support in developing greenhouse farming is a topic emphasized in many studies. The results of these studies are consistent with the findings of Arion et al. (2020) and Javid (2021), who highlighted the need for increased government support and technical training to enhance greenhouse productivity.International studies also show similar impacts of greenhouse farming on improving the livelihoods of rural populations. A study by Mustafa (2007) in Afghanistan showed that farmers who used modern greenhouse farming techniques experienced a 135% increase in their income. Tang et al. (2013) in China reported that rural farmers who adopted greenhouse farming saw a 15.9% increase in their per capita income over six years. These results indicate that the use of modern agricultural techniques, especially greenhouse farming, can directly contribute to increased income and reduced poverty in rural areas.
Finally, based on various studies, evidence shows that greenhouse farming not only increases agricultural productivity but also contributes to improving the sustainability of livelihoods in rural areas and prevents rural-urban migration. These findings align with research by Ding et al. (2020) and Nikolaeva (2018), which emphasize the importance of human capital and management models.
Given these results, it is recommended that policymakers and government institutions develop support systems such as financial facilities, technical training, and infrastructure improvement to enhance the economic conditions of farmers and increase the sustainability of rural livelihoods through greenhouse farming. Furthermore, a more detailed analysis of the challenges and barriers in this sector can lead to more effective solutions for the sustainable development of agriculture in rural areas.
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