Purpose - Several models of rural development have been proposed but they have failed to adequately explain why development stagnates in certain regions. To fill this knowledge gap, this qualitative research was conducted. Design/methodology/approach- Based on focus group interviews with farmers and semi-structured interviews with rural managers and experts from two sub-counties in Kherameh, Fars province, the barriers of rural development under drought were investigated. Finding- Various adaptation strategies, such as changing cropping pattern, developing greenhouses and rising mushroom, quail and ostrich, have been applied by farmers in order to reduce the negative impacts of drought and water scarcity. However, different barriers including climate variability, quantitative and qualitative reduction of water resources, unemployment and lack of sustainable job opportunities, limitation of financial resources and investment, inefficiency of institutional supporting policies, limitation of budgets and loans, and uncertainty about future of agriculture have prevented rural areas from development. Practical implications - Continuous monitoring of drought and developing early warning systems, consensus about distribution of common water resources, water conveyance from other regions and considering water subsides, local participation in development planning, encouraging research institutes to focus their research on investigating and producing water resistance crops, improving drought management information through effective extension services and linking urban-based businesses with small-scale crop producers are offered to improve rural development in this drought prone area. Originality/value- Given that a similar study has not been conducted about rural development traps under drought, the findings of this study can be used by rural development planners and practitioners.
