Sheida Aliakbari, Maryam Ghasemi,
Volume 14, Issue 51 (6-2025)
Abstract
Objective: Small-scale home-based businesses play a significant role in diversifying economic activities and reducing rural unemployment. In Bojnourd County, a portion of rural households generate income through sericulture. However, the number of sericulturists has declined from 570 to 294 over the past decade. This study aims to identify the driving and inhibiting factors influencing the development of sericulture-based microbusinesses in rural areas of Bojnourd.
Methods: A descriptive-analytical, applied-developmental approach was used. Data were collected through documentary research and a researcher-made questionnaire. Using Cochran’s formula, a sample size of 160 sericulturists across 9 villages in Bojnourd was selected. The study assessed 43 indicators under 10 inhibiting components, and 23 indicators under 6 driving components.
Results: The most significant driving factor was "low startup cost" (mean: 4.14), while the main inhibiting factor was "poor-quality silkworm eggs" (mean: 4.48).
Conclusions: Policies such as guaranteed purchase and pricing, alongside distribution of high-quality, locally adapted silkworm eggs by the Agricultural Jihad Organization, could help mitigate the inhibitors and boost driving forces in sericulture.
