Abstract
Introduction
Sustainable food security has become a critical concern in the context of global development, particularly in developing countries such as Iran, where smallholder farmers play a central role in agricultural production. Despite their significant contribution, these farmers remain highly vulnerable due to entrenched socio-economic inequalities that manifest in economic, institutional, environmental, and digital dimensions. Such inequalities reduce their ability to access essential resources, adopt modern technologies, and participate meaningfully in decision-making processes. In regions like Isfahan Province, where agricultural activities are essential for rural livelihoods, the compounded effects of climate change, water scarcity, and discriminatory institutional policies have deepened the structural disadvantages of smallholder farmers. This study aims to explore, from a sociological perspective, how socio-economic inequalities shape the participation of smallholder farmers in sustainable food security and how these inequalities contribute to cycles of marginalization and deprivation.
Materials and Methods
The research employed a qualitative methodology based on the systematic Grounded Theory approach developed by Strauss and Corbin. The study was conducted in Isfahan Province, one of Iran’s major agricultural hubs. Purposive and theoretical sampling were applied to select 38 participants, including 22 smallholder farmers, 8 agricultural experts, 5 cooperative managers, and 3 rural leaders. Semi-structured interviews, participatory observations, and document reviews were used to gather data. Each interview lasted between 60 and 90 minutes, and field notes complemented the interview data. The collected data were coded through three stages: open, axial, and selective coding, and managed using ATLAS.ti software (version 7.5). To ensure the validity and reliability of the findings, the study employed Lincoln and Guba’s criteria of credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability.
Results and Discussion
Data analysis generated 367 initial concepts, categorized into 28 subcategories and 9 main categories. The central phenomenon was identified as “multidimensional structural deprivation”, reflecting the interplay of institutional discrimination, limited access to resources, digital exclusion, climate vulnerability, and socio-political marginalization. Institutional inequalities were evident in biased subsidy distribution, lack of representation in decision-making bodies, and ineffective extension services. Resource-related barriers included fragmented land ownership, water scarcity, and restrictive credit systems, which collectively undermined farmers’ productivity. The digital divide further exacerbated inequalities, as many farmers lacked internet access, digital literacy, or exposure to smart farming technologies. Contextual and intervening factors such as climate change, traditional land tenure systems, macroeconomic liberalization, and weak government support intensified these challenges. In response, farmers adopted adaptive strategies such as crop diversification, local cooperation (community-based irrigation schemes, rotating savings groups), and livelihood diversification into non-farm income sources. However, these strategies offered limited resilience due to persistent structural barriers. The study highlights how cycles of inequality perpetuate themselves: resource scarcity lowers productivity, which in turn reduces income and prevents reinvestment, further reinforcing deprivation. These findings align with theoretical perspectives such as Bourdieu’s theory of social reproduction of inequality, Merton’s concept of relative deprivation, and Castells’ analysis of the digital divide.
Conclusions
The research demonstrates that socio-economic inequalities are not merely obstacles but entrenched structural mechanisms that systematically exclude smallholder farmers from agricultural development. This exclusion results in reduced participation in production, accelerated rural-to-urban migration, and declining national food self-sufficiency. Addressing these challenges requires systemic reforms rather than productivity-focused interventions. Recommended strategies include equitable redistributive policies, improved rural digital infrastructure, stronger and more autonomous farmer-led cooperatives, and inclusive governance frameworks that amplify the voices of smallholders in policymaking. By adopting such measures, smallholder farmers can be empowered institutionally, socially, and technologically, thereby strengthening the foundations of sustainable food security in Iran. Beyond its local implications, the study contributes to academic discourse by integrating theories of relative deprivation, structural inequality, and digital exclusion, while also offering context-specific insights for practical policy formulation. Ultimately, the findings emphasize the urgency of rethinking rural development strategies to ensure that smallholder farmers are no longer marginalized but become central actors in achieving sustainable food security.