Saadi Mohammadi, Farzad Vaisi, Kioumars Khodapanah, Zhian Danshvar,
Volume 14, Issue 51 (Spring 2025)
Abstract
Objective: Recognizing that resolving any problem necessitates strategic planning, this applied research was conducted in the rural border regions of Marivan County. Its primary objective is to contribute to economic diversification in these rural communities by formulating a flexible, forward-looking strategic plan aimed at attracting capital investments.
Methods: The research employed a mixed-methods approach. The theoretical component was developed using documentary analysis, while the practical component was carried out through a survey methodology, including interviews, questionnaires, and field observations. The study adopts a qualitative approach, primarily based on interviews and the Delphi method. Through collaboration with a Delphi expert panel, a strategic plan was designed to facilitate economic diversification via capital attraction and the development of micro-enterprises. The study population consisted of 24 purposefully selected individuals, including regional development officials, subject-matter experts, micro-business owners, and local managers.
Results: The analysis identified eight internal strengths versus eighteen internal weaknesses, along with six external opportunities versus nine external threats related to fostering a diversified economic environment and favorable business climate through capital attraction in the studied rural areas. The intersection of internal factor weights (3.40) with external factor weights (2.49) positioned the study area within a conservative strategic posture.
Conclusions: The results suggest that a conservative strategy is the most appropriate model for capital attraction aimed at economic diversification in the region. This approach necessitates a critical reassessment and revision of current policies, programs, and actions to address the existing suboptimal business environment. Furthermore, the long-term outlook—over a 15-year horizon—indicates that, given its capabilities and potential, the region could emerge as a leading center for cross-border trade, specialized agriculture, micro-industrial production, and rural tourism within Kurdistan Province, in competition with other counties in the region.
Kiomars Khodapanah , Saadi Mohammadi , Asadollah Heydari ,
Volume 15, Issue 55 (Spring 2026)
Abstract
Objective: Agritourism creates new forms of interaction between agricultural producers and visitors while utilizing existing rural resources. In addition to strengthening local economies, it contributes to the preservation of agricultural land against pressures arising from large-scale retail expansion and global food supply chains. Given the growing importance of this sector, the present study investigates the factors influencing agritourism development in the rural areas of the Central District of Ardabil County, Iran.
Methods: This applied research adopted a descriptive–analytical approach. Data were collected through both documentary and field-based methods. The statistical population consisted of household heads engaged in agricultural land utilization. Based on Cochran’s formula, a sample of 380 respondents was selected through simple random sampling. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) using the Partial Least Squares (PLS-SEM) approach was employed to analyze the data.
Results: A total of 67 indicators were initially examined, of which seven were excluded due to insufficient factor loadings. The measurement model demonstrated satisfactory validity and reliability. The structural model confirmed significant relationships between agritourism development and its determining factors. The highest factor loadings were associated with organizing cultural and recreational festivals, improving street lighting, and promoting crop diversification and agricultural product branding. Furthermore, the highest t-value (43.961) was observed for the relationship between agritourism development and socio-cultural factors, indicating the dominant role of this dimension in fostering agritourism development.
Conclusions: The development of agritourism in the Central District of Ardabil requires effective integration of managerial, policy, and legal dimensions. Agritourism can stimulate comprehensive socio-economic and cultural development, thereby contributing to sustainable rural development. Strengthening agritourism initiatives can enhance employment opportunities, improve household incomes, reduce rural outmigration, and increase the value-added potential of agricultural products and rural handicrafts.
