درخت حوزه‌های تخصصی

Purpose – This study examines the barriers to promoting climate-smart agriculture (CSA) in rural areas of the Sistan Plain. Using a qualitative approach and focus group discussions, data were collected from farmers and local experts (54 participants). The discussions were analyzed through inductive content analysis, coding, and classification systems. Findings – The results reveal that barriers to CSA promotion fall into seven main categories: financial, institutional, technical and infrastructural, knowledge gaps, demographic, environmental, and market challenges. Key challenges include high initial costs, weak policies and institutional support, lack of practical knowledge and training, and adverse climatic conditions. Practical recommendations involve conducting specialized training, establishing pilot projects, and strengthening communication infrastructure. From a policy perspective, developing national strategies, providing financial incentives and credit facilities, and fostering collaboration across various sectors are crucial. This study offers comprehensive and integrated solutions to assist policymakers and agricultural practitioners in achieving sustainable development and strengthening CSA resilience. Practical Implications – This study proposes several practical solutions to address the identified challenges, including organizing specialized and operational training programs for farmers and experts, implementing pilot projects to demonstrate CSA effectiveness and benefits, developing communication and technical infrastructure such as high-speed internet access and advanced equipment, formulating national policies to provide financial and institutional support for CSA, and fostering collaboration among governmental, private, and local community sectors. Originality/Value – This research is one of the first comprehensive studies analyzing barriers to CSA promotion in Iran. Given the unique conditions of the Sistan Plain, the findings can serve as a model for other underprivileged regions in Iran and similar countries. The practical solutions and effective policy recommendations presented here mark a significant step toward sustainable development and greater agricultural resilience to climate change.

Purpose- This research aims to provide a comprehensive and systematic review of the knowledge structure and dominant trends in the literature concerning pro-environmental tourist behavior within rural tourism studies. The study seeks to identify research gaps and map the intellectual landscape of the field for future researchers. Methodology- This study employs a scientometric approach, combining systematic review and bibliometric analysis. A total of 1,020 eligible articles published between 1985 and 2024 were identified through the Scopus database and analyzed using VOSviewer software. Co-authorship, co-citation, and keyword co-occurrence networks were used to analyze the knowledge structure. Findings- The results reveal that China, the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, and South Korea have the highest publication output in this field. Linnaeus University (Sweden), Sejong University (South Korea), and Lund University (Sweden) are among the most influential institutions. Keyword analysis identified three primary clusters: ecotourism, ecosystem and environmental protection, and tourism economy and market. According to the Theory of Planned Behavior, factors such as attitude, subjective and social norms, perceived behavioral control, and environmental awareness are the most significant predictors of tourists' pro-environmental behavior. Practical Implications- The findings provide valuable insights for destination managers and policymakers in developing effective strategies for sustainable tourism management. The results can serve as a basis for designing behavioral interventions and formulating evidence-based policies to promote responsible behaviors among tourists in rural destinations. Originality/Value- This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by providing a comprehensive and dynamic map of the knowledge structure and prevailing trends in pro-environmental behavior in rural tourism. By filling the gaps of previous studies, this research identifies novel research opportunities for future scholars.

Purpose- The agricultural insurance fund plays a crucial role in rural areas and agricultural sector. Evaluating the performance of this fund can better identify its effectiveness and challenges. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the agricultural insurance fund in the development of rural areas in Shiraz County.Design/methodology/approach- This descriptive-analytical research is based on data collection through a survey. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by experts, and its reliability was verified with a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient greater than 0.70. The statistical population consisted of rural residents totaling 55323 individuals. Based on Cochran’s formula, the sample size was determined to be 382 individuals.Findings- The test results, at a significance level less than 0.05, indicated that the Agricultural Insurance Fund had poor efficiency in rural development from the perspective of rural residents. The average test result of 2.404 also confirms this finding. Despite its poor performance, the fund’s highest effectiveness and efficiency were related to promoting social justice with an average score of 2.609. Furthermore, analysis of variance showed no significant difference between rural areas regarding the performance status of the Agricultural Insurance fund at a level greater than 0.05 but equal to 0.774. It is also predicted that the Agricultural Insurance Fund may have an impact on the situation of rural areas. According to the regression results, support for the expansion of greenhouse cultivation with a beta value of 0.349 has been the most important factor in the effectiveness of the fund.Research limitations/implications- challenges related to data collection access and significant costs complicated this research endeavor. To mitigate these negative impacts, villages with larger populations were prioritized for inclusion.Practical implications- Sustainable rural development in agriculture hinges on various forms of managerial support from entities like the Agricultural Insurance Fund. Dynamism in this area can expedite development.Originality/value- Despite being relatively overlooked, evaluating the performance of Agricultural Insurance Funds can highlight positive aspects for managers and specialists due to their importance. The villages within the research scope also provide value and authenticity to this study.

Purpose- The purpose of this research is to identify and analyze the obstacles of developing tourism entrepreneurship among rural women in Oraman District of Sarvabad County, considered as one of the important poles of rural tourism in the country.Design/Method/Approach- This study is applied in terms of purpose; descriptive-analytical in terms of method, and mixed in terms of data gathering as a combination of two methods namely documentary (library) and survey based on observation, interview and questionnaire. The statistical population of this research includes rural women of Oraman District, and key informative and experts in rural development. The sample size was 97 samples among rural women occupying in the field of rural tourism in Oraman District and 50 ones of key informative and experts in rural development selected by snowball sampling method.Findings- The data analysis employing inferential statistics (chi-square, one-sample t-test and correlation) showed that, legal obstacles and weakness in policy making and planning with a mean score of 4.96, weakness in tourism infrastructure, services and facilities with a mean score of 4.53 and social and cultural obstacles with a mean score of 4.48 have higher priority, respectively whereas financial obstacles have the lowest calculated mean score (3.78) among the studied indicators. Also, the results of the correlation test revealed that rural women with a better and more favorable situation in terms of personality and background, i.e. with a higher education level and occupying in the field of rural tourism and more purposeful in life, have more tendency to enter the field of rural tourism and entrepreneurship. In addition, there is a negative relationship between the desirability of personality and background variables with the effect of identified obstacles on women entrepreneurship, which means that the better the personality and background variables are, the less the effect of the identified obstacles on women's entry into the field of tourism and entrepreneurship and innovation.Practical implications- The government as well as government institutions responsible for development in the area should first improve the tourism development environment in the studied rural areas and provide the conditions for the development of rural tourism in the area and prevent the region from moving towards stagnation in tourism, and then in the next stage entering more women into the field of tourism, make an attempt to direct them towards entrepreneurial activities.Original/value- There are many obstacles in front of rural women in the direction of turning to entrepreneurial activities in the field of rural tourism. Obviating these obstacles, firstly, requires identifying them and then applicable planning pertinent to each obstacle.