SPACE ECONOMY & RURAL DEVELOPMENT

The identification of sustainable rural development scenarios in Hamadan Province emphasizing entrepreneurship and home businesses

Khalil Mirzaei

Introduction
Entrepreneurship in rural areas can create new job opportunities and increase income, leading to improved economic and living conditions for villagers. As a result, the concept of entrepreneurship has become more closely linked to the development of villages compared to the past. Encouraging rural entrepreneurship can contribute to rural communities' economic growth by recognizing the agricultural sector's strengths and weaknesses. This can be achieved through effective strategic planning, promoting creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Doing so helps prevent a policy of state-centralism, which prioritizes the convenience and obedience of villagers. Several benefits are associated with rural entrepreneurship, including the development of employment opportunities, reduction in rural migrations, increased income, and innovation. Despite these advantages, rural entrepreneurship has not yet flourished in Iran's rural communities, and entrepreneurial activity has not been institutionalized in these areas. Research conducted in various countries, including Iran, has revealed that rural entrepreneurship encounters numerous obstacles. These include limited access to skilled labor in rural regions, low levels of education, knowledge, and technical skills, and inadequate knowledge of information technology in rural areas.
Furthermore, the absence of a supportive family, societal, and support system environment does not foster rural entrepreneurship growth. It does not motivate rural individuals to pursue entrepreneurship as a career. Young and educated people often leave the villages and go to big cities hoping for a better future, more income, and easier life, and this phenomenon of brain drain causes a lack of reincarnation and matching between existing jobs and the workforce's skills. The rest is in the villages. It is important to acknowledge the significance of rural entrepreneurship in disadvantaged communities for implementing sustainable rural development programs and policies. However, there are numerous challenges that must be addressed in order to enhance this field and provide opportunities for employment. Developing strategies that can effectively reduce or eliminate these challenges and problems will help promote a better quality of life and livelihood for those living in rural areas.

Methodology
This research aimed to conduct an applied, analytical, and exploratory study. The necessary data was gathered through both library research and a questionnaire. In the initial phase, an environmental survey was utilized to identify the key factors that impact rural development in Hamedan Province, specifically in relation to entrepreneurship and home-based businesses. Faculty members of the agricultural development training group and rural planning experts confirmed the validity of extracted indicators. The statistical population of this research was ten experts and specialists in rural development and planning. In the next step, the interviewees are asked to declare their agreement or disagreement and their level with each title using a Likert scale. In other words, they are quantifiable. At this stage, the components that get a score lower than the average will be removed from the research, and the remaining components will enter the next stage. In the following, to identify the drivers among the key factors obtained in the previous section, a mutual effects questionnaire was designed and returned to the interviewees, and they were asked to score. The weighting of this questionnaire was measured as a pairwise comparison, and the correlation between the variables was measured between zero and three. MIC MAC software was used for data analysis in this research and this step. Wizard software was also used to develop scenarios.

Discussion and conclusion
The findings revealed that, apart from the current connections between the indicators, there were potential forms of relationships among them. These can be utilized in the planning process. The results show that the factors with the greatest impact on the system are investing enough financial resources in villages, providing women with a legitimate presence in various areas including politics, law, society, culture, economics, and operations, and defining a participatory planning model within the legal framework of Hamadan Province.
Some indicators have a greater impact than others on the state and changes of a system. These critical indicators are considered input variables that the system cannot control. The "Improvement of rural tourism infrastructure" index is a system risk index. It has a very high capacity to become the key player of the system because, due to its unstable nature, they have the potential to become the system's breaking point. The indicators of "Strengthening, creating confidence and raising awareness among villagers to meet their basic needs, such as free education in primary levels, university education, skills, job creation" and "Approval of laws to support rural businesses during severe currency fluctuations" are effective. They rely heavily on the changes in important and dual variables and are easily affected by them. These variables represent the system's output. After analyzing indicators in the Wizard software, two scenarios were identified. The first scenario, "Paying Attention to Local Planning," was one of them. This scenario had high compatibility. The elements of this reported scenario constitute a complete set of mutually supporting assumptions. Also the second scenario was called "sectional planning". According to the results of the research, local planning can be done in each of the villages of Hamadan Province, looking at the capacity and potential of that region for sustainable rural development.

Analysis of the Scientific Cooperation Network in the Journal of Space Economy & Rural Development

Saeid Nasiri Zare

Introduction
Publishing scientific papers is one of the most significant ways of sharing research outcomes. Experts and academics regularly publish their original studies and research in related fields through scientific publications. Scientific publications are now published in various fields worldwide, and their development requires meticulous and expert investigations. Scientometric studies are used as one of the scientific methods to examine the performance of scientific journals. Nowadays, scientific journals incorporate scientometrics in their daily decisions to investigate the influencing factors. Research with this approach to analyze The network of scientific cooperations and draw the topic of interesting articles in the scientific journal "Space Economy & Rural Development." Knowing the scientific collaborations and the topic of the articles can provide a comprehensive picture of the type of scientific activities of the journal authors and identify the research's strengths and weaknesses.

Methodology
This research is a quantitative study using scientometric research methods. Theoretical literature was studied using library research methods to gather information for the study's applied purpose. All articles published in the Journal Space Economy & Rural Development are examined in the research. Therefore, the statistical population includes all the articles published in the Journal, compiled by the authors, and accepted by the reviewers between 2011 and 2019. To analyze the scientific cooperation of the authors, the "Network Density," "Degree Centrality," "Betweenness Centrality," "Eigenvector Centrality," and "Clustering Coefficient" have been used. In order to facilitate comprehension of the magazine articles and establish connections between them, a keyword system was employed. The authors of said articles crafted a comprehensive list of keywords in the initial phase. Subsequently, these keywords were subjected to scrutiny, editing, and culling of duplicates. This yielded a set of distinct keywords for use in lexical analysis. At this stage, keywords such as the names of provinces - cities, Theories - models, and general expressions that did not express a specific topic were removed. In the end, 40 keywords remained, which were used for the final analysis. In order to analyze and interpret the results, Ravar Matrix was used to prepare the self-interaction matrix and the co-occurrence of crucial words, the Ucinet program was used to analyze the studied indicators, and according to the limitations of this program, the Gephi program was used to draw graphs and networks.

Discussion and conclusion
Examining and evaluating scientific literature have long been viewed as important for shaping future policies of scientific journals, research planning, and informed decision-making. One effective approach to achieving this goal is by utilizing scientometric analysis methods. In the Journal of space economy and rural development, 364 articles have been published in 9 periods and 36 issues, and the authorship pattern of the authors has been the collaboration of three authors. Most of the journal "Space Economy & Rural Development " articles focus on "Economic Development." "Tourism" and "agriculture" are two central issues in this field, and researchers have investigated the dimensions and fields of development of these businesses in rural areas. However, the subject of interest is to do these articles in a coherent scientific network between authors and researchers. In such a way, more scientific cooperation among authors helps productivity, innovation, and exchange of information. In the Journal of Space Economy & Rural Development, the complete scientific cooperation network has not been formed because the authors are in different scientific fields. This issue has shown the primary attention of the magazine to the subject of the articles without paying attention to the authors. However, among the authors, Ghadiri Masom, Motiee Langroudi, and Riyahi have had the highest number of connections in the Journal's scientific cooperation network. These authors and Rezvani are the most crucial mediators in controlling and transmitting information in the Journal's scientific network.
On the other hand, most authors were from the University of Tehran, Kharazmi and Payam Noor of Tehran, who have less desire to cooperate in the scientific network of the magazine with other authors. However, in order to realize the scientific development of the Journal, the planners of the Journal can encourage the scientific perspective of the Journal by presenting clear goals and accepting novel topics that have been given less attention in the field of rural development. The use of editorial boards with different scientific fields (according to the scientific network of the Journal, which represents various scientific expertise in this field) can also contribute to the quality of presenting and publishing articles in the Journal.

Analysis of the effect of tourism on the target villages of Kurdistan Province

Fateh Habibi

Introduction
Tourism has become a crucial component of economic and manufacturing activities in both developed and developing countries. Tourist attractions, alongside other elements, serve as the foundation of the tourism industry and create the necessary conditions to attract visitors. Many developed countries have shown that focusing on tourism is crucial for national advancement and should be a top priority. Currently, there is fierce competition among countries to draw in tourists. Tourism is a dynamic industry with distinct characteristics, and it now contributes significantly to the economic and manufacturing sectors of both developed and developing nations. Iran's government has also emphasized tourism development in recent years, implementing various methods and approaches to promote social and economic growth in different regions. Tourism has experienced significant growth over the past 20 years, becoming one of the largest and most rapidly expanding industries worldwide. It has now become a primary economic sector in many countries, generating foreign exchange earnings on a large scale. By 2020, the number of international tourists globally is projected to rise to 1.6 billion, with tourism receipts expected to reach $200 billion. The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) predicts that the travel and tourism industry will remain one of the largest in the world. In 2015, the industry contributed 9.8% to the global GDP and provided 279 million jobs. By 2025, it is expected to increase to 10.5% of the global GDP and create 356 million jobs.

Methodology
The development of Multi-Attribute Decision Procedures, including fuzzy models and multi-criteria fuzzy methods, has led to a significant breakthrough in sustainability analysis. One method that has gained considerable attention in this field is the TOPSIS technique, which stands for "Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution." TOPSIS is a method that identifies solutions from a finite set of alternatives using multiple criteria. This study aims to evaluate and prioritize cities in Kurdistan Province using the TOPSIS model. The objective of the study determines the research methodology and involves collecting descriptive data and conducting correlation analysis. The statistical population for this research comprises the residents of the villages under investigation.

Discussion and conclusion
Tourism can potentially increase foreign exchange earnings and generate employment, making it a crucial industry for the balanced and sustainable development of Kurdistan province. The sector can create the necessary conditions to attract more visitors by focusing on tourist attractions and other key elements. Many strategies to achieve this goal involve the development of rural and urban areas. Given the high unemployment rate and the need for foreign investment, prioritizing tourism can have significant benefits for the region. The objective of this study was to use the TOPSIS model to assess and rank cities in Kurdistan province based on tourism development indicators. This will facilitate effective and suitable planning. The findings from the one-sample t-test indicate that tourism has both positive and negative impacts on the host community. The economic impact is most prominently seen in terms of income and employment. Additionally, the positive perception of the local populace towards tourism is considered a key social and cultural benefit.
On the other hand, reduction of participation in rural development, loss of rural customs, culture, and local values, and inappropriate modeling of tourists are negative effects of tourism. The results showed that tourism has had adverse environmental effects by destroying the natural landscape of the village, irregular construction, and changing agricultural land use. Also, the ranking results show that the villages of Selin, Palangan, and Zhivar are ranked first to third, respectively. The villages of Balbar, Negel, Dolab, Salvatabad, Darahfi, Maghsah, Najne, Surin, Noura, and Ghomchaghi are ranked fourth to thirteenth, respectively. The sensitivity analysis results showed that Palangan, Celine, and Salavat Abad villages were ranked first to third in different conditions. According to the results, public sector investment in infrastructures, especially roads, and private sector investment is recommended in higher-ranked villages in eco-tourism, handicrafts, and related industries.

analysis of factors affecting the benefit of rural livestock farmers in the south of Kerman from educational and promotional courses

Somayeh Naghavi

Introduction
Quantitative and qualitative improvement of the agricultural sector can increase production productivity, increase farmers' income and create a link between agricultural and non-agricultural poverty reduction programs. Solving or reducing problems and bottlenecks and managing challenges within this sector is necessary. The livestock industry is one of the main sectors of food production needed by humans. Among the various food items produced in the agricultural sector, protein items are essential. On the other hand, in addition to the production of protein foods, this industry plays a significant role in creating employment and providing new job opportunities through the completion of the food production and supply chain. It is impossible to fulfill this vital mission without identifying the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of animal husbandry units and livestock breeders and formulating appropriate strategies to provide management solutions considering the limited resources in each region. The agricultural extension system is one of the main tools for developing the agricultural sector and empowering farmers. Educational and promotional programs are the primary means of realizing agricultural development goals and empowering livestock farmers. This research was carried out to follow the pattern of livestock farmers in livestock promotion training in the southern cities of Kerman.

Methodology
The research method is descriptive, analytical, and based on quantitative and qualitative methods. The statistical population in this research included livestock breeders in the southern rural areas of Kerman Province, with approximately 250 units that had active livestock units in 2019. Cluster sampling was used to collect to avoid wasting time and saving financial resources. It should be noted that 100 animal husbandry units were selected from the sample farmers participating in training and promotion courses. After completing and collecting the questionnaires, statistical analysis was performed using the software Stata 12 software was used. Also, the generalized ordinal logit model was used to investigate the factors affecting the benefit of the farmers from educational and extension courses. When using the ordinal logit model, the coefficients are interpreted rather than directly interpreting the results. If the coefficient is positive, it means that the probability of being placed in one category increases while the probability of being placed in another category decreases. For this purpose, the interpretation of marginal effects should be used.
The ordinal logit model is based on a continuous latent variable, which is shown as follows:
yi*=βXi+εi                     -∞<yi*<∞           (1)
Suppose the variable yi is considered discrete and observable, representing different levels of livestock farmers' benefit. The relationship between the unobservable variable yi* and the observable variable yi is obtained from the ordinal logit model.

yi=1                        if          -∞< yi*<μ1    i=1,2,…,n
yi=2                        if          μ1< yi*<μ2    i=1,2,…,n
yi=3                        if          μ2< yi*<μ3    i=1,2,…,n
…..                             ….             …….                     ……
yi=n                       if          μt-1< yi*<∞    i=1,2,…,n

Discussion and conclusion
According to the findings, several factors such as age, education level, satisfaction with sales and marketing strategies, attitude towards extension experts, primary occupation, and cost of animal feed significantly impact the advantages livestock breeders gain from attending educational and extension programs. Providing educational and promotional courses in different areas is a practical and effective method to enhance the knowledge and skills of villagers. These courses can greatly improve productivity and quality of life if they are conducted under favorable conditions and cater to participants' actual needs. This can also optimize the functioning of all agents within the extension education system. Therefore, the necessary arrangements should be considered for livestock farmers to access the facilities and inputs needed to apply and use promotional recommendations. Based on the information obtained in the present research, it can be concluded that due to the relatively high average age of livestock farmers in the south of Kerman province and considering the usefulness of participating in educational-promotional courses, regular holding of these courses with more emphasis on familiarity with veterinary procedures and livestock diseases, familiarity with food ingredients and animal nutrition management mainly, as well as familiarity with the marketing and sale of livestock products, livestock breeding, and the design of animal husbandry buildings and facilities to a lesser extent. The agenda of the deputy of the Livestock Production Improvement Organization should be placed in the south of Kerman Province. The effectiveness of educational and promotional programs and user satisfaction relies on the proper functioning of various components within the system. These include timely and accurate use of educational aids, relevant content that meets users' needs, and program planning that aligns with existing resources and user living conditions. In this regard, necessary arrangements should be made for access to the facilities and inputs needed for the livestock farmers of the south Kerman region to benefit from training and promotion courses.

Explanation of the economic and infrastructure factors affecting the development of rural tourism with the wizard scenario method(Study case: Urmia County)

Alireza Darban Astaneh

Introduction
Rural tourism is a sustainable form of rural development that utilizes the resources available in rural areas. However, due to geographical isolation and lack of benefits, these areas often have untapped potential. This lack of development prevents strengthening of social and economic foundations within local communities. Regarding tourism planning in certain areas, previous research has focused on identifying important factors and drivers. However, there is a lack of certainty surrounding regional development in the planning process. To address this, planners and scenario writers can use these factors as a control mechanism to map and manage the desired future.

Methodology
The purpose of this research is to create scenarios that will help determine the factors that impact the growth of rural tourism in Urmia County. The study will use the Wizard scenario to identify key variables that contribute to sustainable tourism in the villages within the county. Ultimately, the goal is to develop scenarios that will enhance the feasibility of sustainable rural tourism development. The purpose, application, and type of research method used in this study are descriptive-analytical. The nature of the data collected is qualitative, and the method of data collection is through field research. The questionnaire tool was implemented in two stages, and data analysis was conducted using future research techniques and the Mick Mac software, along with interaction analysis. In general, the working method has been done in two main stages in this research. Twenty professionals with expertise in the subject were selected for a statistical sample. They were provided with a questionnaire to complete. After careful consideration of the experts' opinions and research, it was determined that there are 36 significant indicators in 5 different components: economic (9 indicators), socio-cultural (8 indicators), managerial (7 indicators), natural (8 indicators), and infrastructure (4 indicators). During this study, it was found that out of the 36 indicators examined, several key factors drive tourism development in the rural regions of Urmia County.

Discussion and Conclusion
In this study, we created scenarios by considering critical uncertainties, predetermined drivers, and the impact of key obstacles. The result of this process was three scenarios. One scenario depicts a promising and favorable situation, another is static and intermediate, and the third portrays a critical and undesirable situation. Out of the three scenarios, scenario number two has the most favorable conditions for tourism in the villages of Urmia County. This scenario is considered the best because all possible situations are desirable. Out of the 36 possible situations, 16.6% are critical, 11.11% are relatively critical or on the brink of a crisis, 13.88% are relatively favorable, and 58.33% are very good. 27.77% faced unfavorable circumstances, while 72.23% had favorable ones. The second scenario is the most optimal, as all the crucial factors are at their best. This scenario comprises seven highly desirable situations, two moderately desirable ones, one on the brink of crisis, and two critical situations. In Scenario No. 1, there are several possible states. Seven of these states are ideal, one is good, one is risky, and two are critical. The factors in this scenario are stable. Five situations are entirely positive, three that are somewhat positive, one that is risky, and three that are critical. In these critical situations, the key factors are likely unfavorable compared to their desired state.
After analyzing the potential outcomes in three categories - favorable, static, and undesirable -, it is clear that the strong research scenarios lead to more favorable conditions than any other category. These scenarios provide a promising future for tourism in the villages of Urmia. By acknowledging the strengths and limitations present, better planning for rural tourism in Urmia can be achieved. Improving this trend will have a direct and indirect positive impact on the future development of tourism in the region

Evaluating the effects of creative tourism components on economic development and attracting tourists in rural areas (case study: Pivehjan village, Ahmedabad district, Mashhad county)

Masoume Izadinia

Introduction
According to the World Tourism Organization, all activities a person does while traveling and in a place outside his product environment, provided that his trip does not last more than one year and its purpose is recreation, business, or other activities, are considered tourism. The third generation of tourism, creative tourism, emerged after the first two stages of coastal and historical-cultural tourism. Creative tourism offers a more sustainable option that allows tourists to discover their potential by taking part in courses and experiences unique to the region they visit.
For a more immersive experience in rural tourism, it is recommended that tourists stay in local rural houses rather than hotels. This allows them to become fully immersed in the area's culture and way of life and to interact with the people who have built it over time. By doing so, they can gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the values and traditions that make this place unique. This study investigates how creative tourism can boost tourism and development in an overlooked region. Despite having many attractions, this area has not been thoroughly explored. This research aims to promote this unexplored region as a desirable tourist spot for both domestic and foreign visitors. It emphasizes the need to implement creative tourism initiatives to highlight the potential of this region.

Methodology
In terms of the purpose of this research, it is practical. In terms of data collection, this research is descriptive-survey type. The theoretical basis of the research was collected from books, dissertations, publications, and academic articles in Persian and English. For this study, the target group is people over 20 years old and living in the researched area. The study was conducted during the summer of 2021 and only included those who lived in the village. A questionnaire was completed by individuals over 20 years old and present in the community during the data collection period. The sampling method used was the available method. In this way, in the morning and afternoon of non-holiday days, during three consecutive weeks of July 2021, by visiting homes and explaining the research, questionnaires were presented to people over 20 years old and collected after filling. Two hundred and five questionnaires were distributed and collected. In compiling the questionnaire, we tried to include all the variables needed for the research. The number of inquiries was kept to a minimum, and the responses were uncomplicated to ensure that the villagers could provide prompt answers.

Results and conclusion
In order to conclude from the topics investigated in this research, what can be mentioned in this part is the impact and importance of creative tourism on the development and attraction of tourists in rural areas. The residents accepted all five components of creative tourism with an impact percentage of over 90%, which indicates the significant influence of creative tourism on the development and attraction of tourists. All the respondents agreed with the category of creative tourism in the village and considered the historical, cultural, and artistic background as the reasons for this agreement. They are interested in the development of tourism in this sector and stated that the framework of tourism in this sector is fundamental and insignificant. Expanding tourism and attracting more visitors can benefit the locals and help promote their culture. However, to support the growth of tourism, it is important to have the necessary infrastructure, such as communication networks, water, and electricity. Planning for tourism has facilitated the development of rural settlements, providing access to these essential amenities. This has also led to part-time and seasonal employment opportunities for the villagers, which can lead to a boom in production and economic activities in the village and, ultimately, the development of tourism in the village. Essentially, this approach can promote rural communities' financial and population consistency through thoughtful planning that considers local conditions. It is recommended that government officials prioritize this industry by establishing the appropriate infrastructure to encourage investment and appointing skilled and effective leaders who can foster creativity and attract tourism development. In rural areas, people strongly emphasize balancing work and family commitments. We can support both cultural and economic prosperity by promoting family and group businesses and encouraging entrepreneurship among women. This can also attract more tourists to the village. It is also possible to provide a suitable platform to attract tourists by holding cultural and artistic exhibitions in the village, taking care of the appearance and landscape, advertising, and creating local markets to offer products and handicrafts.

Factors affecting identifying rural entrepreneurship opportunities from Afghan immigrants' perspective (Case study: Varamin County)

Zahra Torkashvand

Introduction
Migration is a behavior driven by various motives, including education, job search, welfare, and escape from war. In recent decades, there has been an increase in the international migration of Afghan people to neighboring countries, particularly Iran. The impact of migration on a country's development is significant, and skilled and unskilled migration significantly impacts the economy of countries.
Many villages in Iran are currently experiencing slow development and require a strong driving force to bridge the gap. Entrepreneurship is a valuable tool for innovation, changing the primary force behind economic growth and development and a solution for the economic and social advancement of villages in numerous countries. Additionally, Afghan immigrants have been an integral part of the workforce in rural areas for years, whether willingly or unwillingly. They typically reside in regions where labor demand is relatively high and have been able to take advantage of entrepreneurial opportunities in villages near the country's capital. This study addresses the factors that Afghan immigrants consider when identifying entrepreneurial opportunities.
Varamin County is located in Tehran Province. In the past two decades, due to the creation of various jobs in the agricultural and service sectors, it has become one of the most suitable places for Afghan immigrants to immigrate. This research examines rural entrepreneurship opportunities from Afghan immigrants' perspective.

Methodology
For this study, we utilized an applied and developmental approach with a descriptive-analytical methodology and conducted a survey. To gather data, we administered a questionnaire with a 5-point Likert scale. The sample size was determined using Cochran's formula, resulting in 374 Afghan immigrants residing in rural areas. The data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, average, and standard deviation statistics for description and inferential statistics for analysis. In order to check if the data was normal, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was utilized.
Additionally, to examine the correlation between the research variables, the one-sample t-test was implemented. The study focused on identifying opportunities for rural entrepreneurship as perceived by Afghan immigrants. The evaluation was conducted from four dimensions: economic-financial, cultural-social, personality-individual, and political-administrative. Each dimension was assessed based on multiple indicators.
The study is performed in Varamin County with eight sections, four towns, and 216 villages. It is one of Tehran province's industrial and agricultural hubs, with rural and urban populations of 14130 and 34062 people, respectively. In addition, 48192 Afghan immigrants live in this county.

Discussion and conclusion
According to the Afghan women immigrants' viewpoint, the total direct effects amount to 1.931. Regarding indirect communications, the indicators with the highest and lowest levels of influence are personality-individual (1.951) and political-administrative (0.371), respectively. As for the direct relationship intensity, the indicators with the highest and lowest values are personality-individual (0.622) and political-administrative (0.371).
According to Afghan male immigrants, the total direct effect is 1.394. Regarding indirect communication, personality-individual indicators have the highest impact at 1.887, while economic-financial indicators have the lowest impact at 0.424. Based on Figure 4, the highest and lowest impact intensities of direct relationships are caused by personality-individual indicators at 0.682 and economic-financial indicators at 0.424, respectively.

Analysis of the role of agriculture in rural development with emphasis on tobacco production(Ahram Rural District, Bushehr Province)

Yasser Zendehboudi

Introduction
The beginning of settlements can be traced back to the practice of agriculture. The earliest civilizations in history were established in regions where agriculture was feasible due to favorable geographical and environmental factors. After the service sector, the agricultural sector in Iran is the largest economic sector. Focusing on agriculture can contribute to sustainable rural development, as well as help to mitigate social issues such as unemployment and migration. The agricultural sector is vital for achieving independence and sustainable development in Iran's national economy. Agricultural activities make up approximately 11.2% of the country's size. The majority of our villages are focused on agriculture and nearly half of the workers in rural areas are involved in this industry.The poverty in rural areas is due to the inefficiency of the rural economy, particularly in agriculture. This results in a lack of employment opportunities, income, and poor living standards. Therefore, there is an increasing need to focus on agriculture and rural development simultaneously. Agricultural and rural development are crucial for sustainable industrial growth. Without them, industrial growth will either fail or create serious internal imbalances in the economy, leading to issues such as widespread poverty, inequality, and unemployment. Tangestan County boasts great potential in agriculture, despite a shortage of potable and agricultural water. The fertile soil creates a conducive environment for agricultural activities, leading many locals to engage in farming. As a result, the county is regarded as a significant hub for agriculture. Regrettably, the agricultural sector in this city has received minimal attention in the development plans and economic policies. Consequently, farmers, particularly those in rural areas, are encountering significant challenges. This research aims to examine the role of the agricultural sector in the sustainable development of the villages of Mahmoud Ahmadi region and provide solutions to improve the agricultural situation by emphasizing tobacco production and increasing the amount of production per unit area, increasing their income and improving their standard of living.

Methodology
This study is descriptive and analytical, with a survey as its primary purpose. The library research method established the theoretical basis and identified existing components. The research approach used is a cross-sectional survey. For this research, the study area was the Ahram Rural District of Tangestan County, with a statistical population of 8,612 rural residents. Using Cochran's formula, a sample size of 330 people was determined and selected randomly. Because the questionnaires were research-made, the questions were matched with the research hypotheses and presented to professors and experts. After checking and confirming, 35 questions were selected for the implementation of the research and its validity. The reliability of the questionnaire was controlled and evaluated using Cronbach's alpha method (0.79). SPSS software was used to analyze data and information. According to the measurement level of variables, appropriate tests such as Pearson's correlation coefficient test have been used to examine the relationship between independent and dependent variables.

Discussion and conclusion
Based on the Pearson correlation coefficient test conducted in rural areas, it was found that there is a significant relationship (at p<0.05 level) between several factors: 1) agricultural development and sustainable rural development (coefficient of 0.451); 2) increased agricultural production and longer life expectancy (coefficient of 0.369); 3) the contribution of women to sustainable rural development (coefficient of 0.394); and 4) agricultural prosperity and social development (coefficient of 0.298). These findings were significant at a p-value of less than 0.05. In this study, it was determined that agriculture played an influential role in the development of the villages of the Mahmoud Ahmadi region, and the cultivation of tobacco as a strategic product was influential in creating employment for families and eliminating unemployment in the region. Additionally, it facilitated opportunities for women to enter the workforce. On the other hand, the results showed that with the prosperity of agriculture in the Mahmoud Ahmadi region, social problems and harms are reduced, and social development takes place, which seems that the results of this study can be used in other regions of the country. Tobacco is a popular product among Iranians, and it has been cultivated in Bushehr province, particularly in this region, for a considerable period. This could be a factor in persuading villagers to stay put and avoid migration to urban areas. If there is more planting and harvesting, employment will increase, and young people will have a greater desire to persevere. In general, agriculture in the Mahmoud Ahmadi region can be effective in the development and prosperity of villages in the region due to its favorable characteristics. These findings confirm that the planning and managing of rural development components is a trans-sectoral activity that requires a comprehensive approach and the coordination of different related sectors. Agriculture improves livelihoods, reduces unemployment, and promotes social development. Based on the results obtained, it is suggested to implement the following measures: 1) Offer incentive packages like guaranteed product purchase and identification of tobacco export markets, 2) Allocate funds and provide necessary facilities to launch irrigation methods and new agricultural techniques for enhancing production, 3) Encourage women's influential involvement in the economy through media and virtual space, 4) Identify economic activities carried out by rural women and organize them, 5) Establish a training and empowerment center in Ahram village to utilize their potential for rural development, and 6) Create processing and transformation industries for packaging of manufactured goods.

The Role of Second House Tourism in the Spatial and Economic Developments of Mountain Villages (Case Study: Villages of Rudbar and Qasran Districts in Shemiranat County)

Ali Akbar Najafi Kani

Introduction
Today, one of the country's tourism patterns is second homes tourism, often common in mountainous regions with mild regions. The second homes are primarily located in spectacular areas, recreational places, and on the outskirts of large and medium-sized cities. Rural tourism is a reliable source of income in many countries and has an increasing impact on improving rural households' economic and physical situation. The current study investigates the consequences of second homes tourism in mountainous villages near the metropolis of Tehran.
Researchers believe that households living elsewhere buy or rent second homes. Such homes are usually located in rural areas and are used for recreational purposes and are also called weekend homes and holiday homes.
Second homes usually have four characteristics:
- A private home that family and guests often use on weekends and holidays.
-A private home that is alternately used as a holiday home.
- It is often purchased for retirement periods but is also used as a commercial property.
- Used as holiday homes, commercially as an investment, and usually by an agency.

Methodology
This study is applied with a descriptive and field descriptive method. According to the 1395 census, the statistical population of the current study is rural households living in 9 villages, totaling 5554 persons. 310 villages were chosen as the sample community using the Cochran algorithm, and data were analyzed using correlation analysis, Friedman, Kruskalvalis, and Linear regression in SPSS software.
Shemiranat is one of the counties of Tehran Province, considered an excellent tourism region of Iran, and consists of two districts: Lavasanat and Rudbar-e Qasran. According to the census of 2016, Rudbar-e Qasran District has a population of 17419. The Qasran Bastani region includes Oushan, Fasham, Darbandsar, Gajereh, and the villages at the foothill of Tochal to the western areas of the Jajrud River. Contrary to many peoples’ beliefs, the language of the people of Rudbar-e Qasran District in most neighborhoods, especially Meygun, Shahrestanak, Lalan, Zayegan, Ruteh, Garmabdar, Shemshak, and Darbandsar, is Mazandarani.

Discussion and conclusion
The results of Chi-square, Spearman, and Kendall correlation analysis demonstrate that the construction of second homes has a substantial association with a 99 percent confidence level with physical changes in villages and improved economic indicators. Friedman's findings also rank the most effective elements in recruiting tourists and increasing second houses. Kruskal-Wallis's findings reveal that second-home tourism affects all communities analyzed in terms of physical and economic characteristics and that they are all similar. The results of the linear regression test reveal that, depending on the variables evaluated, the investigated components are acceptable and significant. The coefficient of determination indicates that around 95% of the development is determined by the variables analyzed, with only about 5% depending on variables not discovered in this study.
The second homes are part of the tourism industry, which aims to use and introduce natural, cultural, historical, and other resources in the region to tourists to create opportunities for tourism development, which creates business in rural areas. Second homes can also be considered a potential product that elevates the level of society and puts the country in the tourism industry.
In this regard, sustainable tourism emerged as the only solution to save nature and human beings. From this perspective, the paradigm of sustainable tourism examines tourism across borders. The tourism industry creates a triangular relationship between the host community, their territory, and the guest community (tourists). The goal is to alleviate any pressure or crises that may arise and achieve a long-term balance between all three parties.

Designing and validating the model of entrepreneurship and sustainable rural development with an emphasis on Ardabil province watershed management plans

Ahad Norouzzadeh

Introduction
In the current situation, the rural society of the country, especially the villages of Ardabil Province, is plagued with many issues and problems, including low income, poverty, migration, evacuation of villages, and low availability of health and welfare services. The main characteristic of all existing issues and problems is related to the weak economic foundations of people and their unstable employment situation. According to experts, one of the necessary solutions to solve these issues and problems is the output and development of entrepreneurship, especially in the villages, emphasizing tasks. Watershed management is conducted in the province, and the ultimate goal of implementing these plans is the well-being of the watershed residents.

Methodology
The current research was conducted in two qualitative (thematic analysis) and quantitative stages to design and validate the entrepreneurship model and sustainable rural development, emphasizing watershed management projects. This research is exploratory in terms of purpose and descriptive in terms of type, which was carried out in the field in Ardabil Province. The research was first qualitative interview type and the second quantitative survey method. The statistical population of the research in the first stage was 20 professors of management and watershed management and senior supervisors of the General Directorate of Natural Resources and Watershed Management of Ardabil Province. In the second stage, 200 respondents from beneficiaries of watershed management projects in Ardabil Province were selected for the structural equation modeling method. During the first stage of this research, we conducted in-depth and semi-structured interviews to collect data. In the second stage, we used a redesigned questionnaire with closed answers (using the Likert scale) to collect information based on the indicators of the entrepreneurship model and sustainable rural development, focusing on watershed management projects.

Discussion and conclusion
The coding results show that the factors influencing the formation of this pattern were categorized into seven more primary factors (promotion, providing sustainable resources, tourism, social, economic, new jobs, participation, and empowerment) and 38 concepts (open codes). Based on the research results and among the extracted main components, the tourism component, with a path coefficient of 0.902, has had the greatest impact on the sustainable entrepreneurship of the villagers based on the implemented watershed management plans. Finally, among the influential components in the sustainable entrepreneurship of villagers based on implemented watershed projects, the "promotion" component with a path coefficient of 0.759 has had the most negligible impact in the designed model.

Analysis of water resource management on the economic development of floodplain villages in the Central District of Gilan Province

Mohammad Baset Ghoreishi

Introduction
The concept of water resources management changes over time with various factors, such as environmental knowledge, technology, and recognition of the difference in the value of water resources. Water resources management is affected by various economic, social, political, cultural, and technical factors. Accordingly, the concept of sustainable management of agricultural water resources has been raised in response to the issues of inappropriate use of water resources and harmful environmental effects and the traditional agricultural economy. Reducing water resources increases the cost of new water resource provision, and usually, developing countries cannot meet these costs. Therefore, the optimal consumption and the correct management of the supply and demand of existing water resources are proposed to meet the economic cost. Water will be an effective agent. Many scientists have studied the relationship between water and economic development from different aspects, for example, in the case of natural disasters like floods and droughts. The results of studies have shown that available water for agriculture and economic development, and investment in water infrastructure, especially in the agricultural sector, reduce poverty in some African countries. Development generally means improving the material and spiritual level of human society and creating suitable conditions for a healthy life for all members of society. According to this concept, development includes economic, social, political, and cultural aspects, which include quantitative and qualitative changes. The desired purpose of development is to improve the quality of life for everyone. Therefore, the effort to achieve development should be in a way that includes the interests of most people.

Methodology
This article is a survey-based analysis, which means it focuses on a small portion of society, specifically village officials and farmer households in the study area. The necessary data was collected through a questionnaire. The statistical population of the research is the villages of the central floodplain of Gilan, which includes village officials and farmer households of the villages of the study area. 384 questionnaires were randomly completed. Then, the questionnaire was analyzed using SPSS software and with relevant statistical tests.

Discussion and conclusion
The results showed that, according to 50% of respondents, agricultural water resources management has a moderate effect on increasing the diversity of agricultural activities, 46.8% on increasing purchasing power and housing construction, and 42.2% on reducing costs. Production in the agricultural sector is considered low. From the perspective of 27.6% of respondents, the effect of agricultural water resource management on reducing production costs in the agricultural sector is high, and 44.3% has a moderate effect on the area under cultivation of agricultural products. According to the survey, 25.6% of respondents believe that the impact of agricultural water resource management on expanding the cultivation area of agricultural products is minimal. Out of the respondents, 38.3% believe that agricultural water resources management moderately improves their satisfaction with life in the village, while 29.7% think it also moderately enhances their satisfaction.
Additionally, 30.5% of the respondents stated that agricultural water resources management has significantly impacted increasing attention toward transformation industries in agriculture. It has been found through research that managing agricultural water resources has significant effects on various aspects of agriculture and rural communities. Specifically, it has a 34.7% impact on agricultural production growth, a 29.4% impact on agricultural output increase, a 50.3% impact on rural employment generation, and a 50.11% impact on the income and well-being of villagers in the central plains of Gilan Province.

Analysis of the Economic Situation of Villages in Terms of Resilient Economic Indicators(Case Study: Halil-Rood Geographical-Cultural Area, Jiroft Plain)

Aliakbar Anabestani

Introduction
Iran has successfully leveraged knowledge and technology with the Islamic economic system to cultivate a prosperous rural economy. This economy encompasses a wide range of activities at the village level, all aimed at supporting rural residents' livelihoods and material well-being. It encompasses both individual and social activities within the rural environment and has yielded impressive results. The rural economy is interdependent with agriculture and is a component of the national economy. Any changes in the national economy will affect the rural economy. This economy level depends on environmental and economic resources, which aligns with the principles of resilient economic policies.
In this regard, Jiroft Plain, located in the western region of Jazmourian, with Halil-Rood passing through its center, encompasses more than 1400 villages. The rural economy in Jiroft and Anbarabad counties primarily relies on livestock farming and agriculture. Economic reconstruction and transformation are taking place in all sectors of the world, and the villages of Jiroft Plain also need to manage and update their economic activities to keep up with global and national developments. Traditional activities are not sufficient to meet the needs of the younger generation. Therefore, the present research aims to analyze the economic situation of villages in terms of resilient economic indicators within the study area and seeks to answer the following question: How is the economic situation of villages in Jiroft Plain in terms of resilient economic indicators? Moreover, what effects do resilient economic indicators have on the rural economy?

Methodology
The present study employed a descriptive-analytical method to provide a concrete, realistic, and systematic description of the characteristics and features of the studied villages in the Halil-Rud geographical-cultural area and Jiroft plain. Both library research methods and field research methods were utilized to gather information. The geographical scope of this research includes the cities of Jiroft and Anbarabad in Kerman Province. Considering the large number of villages in these two cities, as recognized by experts and professionals in this field, the sample villages were selected as the centers of rural districts. Therefore, the statistical population consists of household heads in the central villages of the rural districts, which according to the 2016 census conducted by the Statistical Center of Iran, have a population of approximately 41,289 individuals and 12,165 households, encompassing around 21 villages. Based on Cochran's formula, a sample size of 314 households was selected for the research and used for data collection. A systematic sampling method was employed to select households in each village.
Furthermore, a questionnaire was developed to examine the rural economy in detail from the perspective of resilience indicators, covering 11 different indicators and components. This questionnaire was administered to the sample population, and after completing 30 questionnaires, the reliability of the questionnaire was determined with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.780, indicating high reliability. Additionally, data analysis was conducted using Kruskal-Wallis, one-sample t-test, and regression analysis.

Discussion and conclusion
The research results regarding the status of resilience indicators with a rural economic approach revealed that the economic mobility and dynamism indicators scored 12.01, while social justice scored 3.31, indicating a moderate to high level. Other resilience indicators in the study area were estimated to be below the desirable numerical value of 3, indicating a moderate to low status. Furthermore, among the sample villages, Aliabad ranked first with an average rank of 253, followed by Dovlatabad with an average rank of 210, Hossainabad Dehdar with an average rank of 205, and Ismaili Sofla with an average rank of 179. This finding indicates that villages with a larger population and diverse economies tend to have higher resilience indicators. Based on this, over 52% of the villages in the study area do not have a desirable status in terms of the examined indicators, while only over 16% are in a desirable state.
The rural community's ability to withstand and recover from challenges has been achieved through various means. These include economic growth, increased production in agriculture, industry, and services, ensuring fair distribution of services to rural residents, creating more job opportunities, controlling inflation, improving welfare, supporting a knowledge-based economy, paying attention to scientific aspects of rural economics, engaging educated individuals in rural affairs, encouraging participation in village-related matters and meetings, providing a platform for criticism and suggestions to Islamic councils, cooperating with officials, improving access to basic services for all residents, increasing migration rates, and more. All these measures contribute to the sustainability of the rural economy, including employment, investment, productivity, income, and other production factors in the study area.