Village and Development

Village and Development

Farmers’ Perceptions of the Impacts of Agricultural Shade Houses on Rural Development: A Case Study in Fars Province

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
M. Ahmadvand 1
A. Karami 2
V. Aliyari 3
1 Professor of Agricultural Extension & Development, Department of Rural Development Management, Faculty of Agriculture, Yasouj University, Yasouj, Iran.
2 Professor of Agricultural Economics, Department of Rural Development Management, Faculty of Agriculture, Yasouj University, Yasouj, Iran.
3 Ph.D. Student of Agricultural Development, Department of Rural Development Management, Faculty of Agriculture, Yasouj University, Yasouj, Iran.
10.30490/rvt.2025.367441.1668
Abstract
Introduction
Climate change poses significant threats to agricultural systems in arid and semi-arid regions of Iran, particularly in Fars province, where rural livelihoods are highly vulnerable. In response, shade houses have emerged as a key innovation within protected cultivation, effectively mitigating climatic stresses such as drought, excessive solar radiation, hail, and frost. By reducing water consumption and reliance on chemical pesticides, they enhance crop quality and yield while promoting sustainable resource management. Beyond environmental benefits, shade houses enable year-round production of high-value crops, increase farm incomes, generate rural employment, and improve economic resilience, helping to reduce rural-to-urban migration. Socially, they foster community cohesion and encourage collective action through agricultural cooperatives and shared resource management. In Iran, the Ministry of Agriculture-Jahad has included the Shade House Development Project as part of its national agricultural development plans, with Fars province recognized as one of the leading provinces in implementing this strategy. In Iran, the Ministry of Agriculture-Jahad has integrated the Shade House Development project into national agricultural plans, with Fars province at the forefront of implementation. Therefore, evaluating farmers’ perceptions of the program’s socio-economic and environmental impacts is crucial to ensuring its long-term sustainability, scalability, and successful replication across rural regions.
Materials and Methods
This study was conducted using a descriptive-analytical and survey-based approach. The statistical population consisted of 177 farmers and orchardists participating in the Shade House Development project across selected counties of Fars province, from which a sample of 122 respondents was chosen through simple random sampling based on the Krejcie & Morgan (1970) table. A researcher-made questionnaire was used for data collection, structured around three main dimensions: economic (income, cost, marketing, investment, and agricultural prosperity), social (participation, educational, psychological, social trust, and security), and environmental (biotic and abiotic components). The reliability of the instrument was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha and composite reliability (CR), while validity was established through face validity, convergent validity (AVE), and discriminant validity via the Fornell-Larcker criterion and cross-loadings. Data were analyzed using SPSS and SmartPLS software, employing both descriptive and inferential statistics, including confirmatory factor analysis, one-sample t-test, and Friedman test.
Results and Discussion
This study evaluates the multidimensional impacts of the Shade House Development Project on rural development in Fars province, Iran, using a one-sample t-test and Friedman test. Findings revealed that farmers' perceptions of the Shade House Development Project were categorized into three main dimensions—economic, social, and environmental—all confirmed to be consistent and reliable. Based on the one-sample t-test results, the economic dimension showed significant improvement, with all indicators (income, cost management, marketing, investment, and agricultural prosperity) scoring above average. Farmers reported increased income and better market access, indicating the project's positive contribution to economic sustainability. In the social dimension, participation and educational components scored positively, reflecting enhanced knowledge sharing and community engagement. However, psychological and social trust indicators scored negatively, suggesting the presence of dissatisfaction, unmet expectations, or lack of transparency in program execution. These findings highlight the importance of local stakeholder involvement and effective communication between planners and beneficiaries. Regarding the environmental dimension, the abiotic component (physical environment) demonstrated favorable outcomes, including reduced temperature stress and improved moisture retention. Conversely, the biotic component (ecological factors) scored below average, showing negative impacts such as increased disease incidence under under the shade house environment. The Friedman test also ranked the economic dimension highest and the social dimension lowest, confirming the relative success of the program in economics but the need for reform in social and environmental domains.
Conclusions
The implementation of the Shade House development project in Fars province has achieved moderate success in the economic dimension, but requires managerial interventions in the social and environmental aspects. To strengthen the program’s sustainability and expand its benefits, recommendations include organizing training workshops, increasing financial support, forming local advisory groups, and adopting sustainable farming practices to improve implementation efficiency and increase farmer participation. This study demonstrates that simultaneous management of socio-economic and environmental challenges is crucial for the successful adoption of shade house technology as a model of sustainable rual development in other regions of the country.
Keywords
Climate Change
Climatic Stress
Innovative Agricultural Technology
Rural Development
Shade House
Socio-Economic Impacts
Subjects
1.      Abbasi, Z., & Golshan Tafti, A. (2021). The effect of shade on pomegranate fruit quality. In Proceedings of the National Conference on Agriculture and Food Security (pp. 9–11). Arak Islamic Azad University. [In Persian]
2.      Ahmadvand, M., Karami, E., Zamani, G.H., & Vanclay, F. (2009). Evaluating the use of social impact assessment in the context of agricultural development projects in Iran. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 29(6), 399–407. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eiar.2009.03.002
3.      Alsehaimi, A., Waqar, A., abd El Aal, A., Hayat, S., Waris, F.A., & Benjeddou, O. (2024). Optimising construction sector performance: A study of the rapidly growing global drone industry using smart PLS approach. Journal of Engineering Research, 13(3), 2159-2170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jer.2024.08.004
4.      Ariuon, S., Sahneh, B., & Khajeh Shahkoohi, A. (2022). The role of greenhouse farming on the sustainable livelihood of rural families Case study: Daland township, the city of Ramian. Human Geography Research, 54(1), 155–172. https://doi.org/10.22059/jhgr.2020.307576.1008155. [In Persian] 
5.      Baliyan, S.P. (2014). Improving sustainable vegetable production and income through net shading: A case study of Botswana. Journal of Agriculture and Sustainability, 5(1), 70–103.
6.      Belonwu, E.N., Ojoko, K., & OKOH, O. (2024). Perceived benefits of indigenous agricultural knowledge and strategies for enhancing small holder farmers’ practices in Delta State, Nigeria. Journal of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, 21(2), 39-47.
7.      Briassoulis, D., Mistriotis, A., & Eleftherakis, D. (2007). Mechanical behaviour and properties of agricultural nets-  Part I: Testing methods for agricultural nets. Polymer Testing, 26(6), 822–832. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymertesting.2007.05.007
8.      Chu, E.W., & Karr, J.R. (2016). Environmental impact: Concept, consequences, measurement. Reference Module in Life Sciences, B978-0. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-809633-8.02380-3
9.      Cook, D., Davíðsdóttir, B., & Kristófersson, D.M. (2016). Energy projects in Iceland: Advancing the case for the use of economic valuation techniques to evaluate environmental impacts. Energy Policy, 94, 104–113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2016.03.044
10.  Crouchett-Rojas, R., Araya-Alman, M., Verdugo-Vásquez, N., Fourment, M., & Gutiérrez-Gamboa, G. (2025). Shading nets: A current viticultural strategy to mitigate the negative impacts of global warming on grape and wine quality. Australian Journal of Grape and Wine Research, 2025(1), 1-12.‏ https://doi.org/10.1155/ajgw/9729885
11.  Dayıoğlu, A., & Hepaksoy, S. (2019). Determination of the effect of shading nets on apple fruit quality. Ege Üniversitesi Ziraat Fakültesi Dergisi, 56(2), 163–168. https://doi.org/10.20289/zfdergi.469196
12.  Elad, Y., Messika, Y., Brand, M., David, D.R., & Sztejnberg, A. (2007). Effect of colored shade nets on pepper powdery mildew (Leveillula taurica). Phytoparasitica, 35(3), 285–299. 
13.  Emami, N., Ahmadpour, A., Abedi Sarvestani, A., & Shahraki, M.R. (2018). Investigating the effect of carbon sequestration project on local community empowerment: A case of Tilabad watershed in Golestan province. Agricultural Extension and Education Research, 10(4), 23–36. [In Persian]
14.  Fars Agricultural Jahad Organization (2021). Article Code: 4998. [In Persian] 
15.  Fars Agricultural Jahad Organization (2023). Archive of content. [In Persian] 
16.  Fornell, C., & Larcker, D.F. (1981). Evaluating structural equation models with unobservable variables and measurement error. Journal of Marketing Research, 18(1), 39-50. https://doi.org/10.1177/00222437810180010
17.  Ghasemi, J., Gholami, H., Afzaligrouh, A., & Alambeigi, A. (2023). Analyzing ecotourism effects on local communities’ empowerment (Case study: Savadkuh county). Journal of Environmental Education and Sustainable Development, 11(2), 87–106. https://doi.org/10.30473/ee.2023.58331.2344. [In Persian] 
18.  Gulakov, I., Vanclay, F., & Arts, J. (2020). Modifying social impact assessment to enhance the effectiveness of company social investment strategies in contributing to local community development. Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal, 38(5), 382–396. https://doi.org/10.1080/14615517.2020.1765302
19.  Hafizi, A., Seidaiy, S.E., & Taghdisi, A. (2025). Investigating the effects, advantages and disadvantages of greenhouse cultivation in rural areas (Case study: Mobarakeh county). Geography and Development, 23(79), 161-184.‏ [In Persian]
20.  Hayat, A.A., Shateri, K., Kamalian Fard, S., Sabzi Shahr Babak, E., & Faraji Dehsorkhi, H. (2023). Psychometric properties of the persian version of the physician teaching self-efficacy questionnaire. BMC Medical Education, 23(1), 163. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-023-04130-6
21.  Jafari, L., Kavousi, B., & Zare, H. (2020). The role and importance of shade in vineyards. Angoor Teroviji Magazine, 2(2), 32–38. [In Persian] 
22.  Kannan, N., & Anandhi, A. (2020). Water management for sustainable food production. Water, 12(3), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.3390/books978-3-03928-942-4
23.  Khaledi, K., & Heidari, R. (2023). Investigating the role of agricultural insurance on Iran's rural economy with focus on agricultural sector. Village and Development, 26(1), 251-274.‏ [In Persian]
24.  Kavousi, B., & Zakaei Khosroshahi, M.R. (2023). Application of various protective covers in the production of fresh table grapes. Angoor Teroviji Magazine, 1(5), 20–27. [In Persian] 
25.  Khoshnevis, M., Teimouri, M., Sadegzadeh Hallaj, M.H., Matinizadeh, M., & Shirvany, A. (2019). The effect of vegetative form and shading on planting success of Greek Juniper (Juniperus excelsa M.B.). Iranian Journal of Forest and Poplar Research, 27(2), 125–134. https://doi.org/10.22092/ijfpr.2019.120119. [In Persian] 
26.  Klabi, F., & Meshari, A. (2023). Factors influencing brand love: A case study of Apple in Saudi Arabia. Innovative Marketing, 19(3), 21-33. https://doi.org/10.21511/im.19(3).2023.03
27.  Li, T., Zhou, J., Liu, R., Yuan, Z., & Li, J. (2022). Effects of photo-selective nets and air humidity coupling on tomato resistance to Botrytis cinerea. Scientia Horticulturae, 305. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2022.111356
28.  Lulane, E.B., Dzikiti, S., Volschenk, T., Lötze, E., & Midgley, S.J.E. (2022). Quantifying water-saving benefits of fixed white protective netting in irrigated apple orchards under Mediterranean-type climate conditions in South Africa. Scientia Horticulturae, 305, 111439. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2022.111439
29.  Management and Planning Organization of Fars Province (2022). Fars province economic, social, and cultural report 2022 (1st ed., Publication No. 1-1403) (pp. 1–538). [In Persian]
30.  Mditshwa, A., Magwaza, L.S., & Tesfay, S.Z. (2019). Shade netting on subtropical fruit: Effect on environmental conditions, tree physiology and fruit quality. Scientia Horticulturae, 256, 108556. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2019.108556
31.  Ministry of Agriculture-Jahad (2019). Performance Report of the National Greenhouse Development Plan for the First Four Months of 2019. Department of Horticulture Affairs, National Greenhouse Development Project Manager, pp. 1-10. (Retrieved: 20 Feb 2025). [In Persian]
32.  Ministry of Agriculture-Jahad (2020). Annual Performance Report 2020 of the National Greenhouse Development Project. Department of Horticulture Affairs, National Greenhouse Development Project Manager, pp. 1-8. (Retrieved: 23 Feb 2025). [In Persian]
33.  Ministry of Agriculture-Jahad (2024b). Agricultural Yearbook 1402, Volume 3: Report on Horticultural Products, Mushrooms, and Greenhouse Products. Prepared by: Deputy for Economic Planning, Center for Statistics, Information Technology and Communications, Ministry of Agriculture Jahad. Available at: http://agrodl.ir/statistics/. (Retrieved: 29 Feb 2025). [In Persian]
34.  Ministry of Agriculture-Jahad (2024c). Agricultural Yearbook 1402, Volume 1: Field Crops. Prepared by: Deputy for Economic Planning, Center for Statistics, Information Technology and Communications, Ministry of Agriculture-Jahad. Available at: http://agrodl.ir/statistics/. (Retrieved: 12 Mar 2025). [In Persian]
35.  Mirzaei, A., Soltani, A., Abbasi, F., Zeinali, E., & Mirkarimi, S. (2025). Assessment of options to reduce irrigation demand and adaptation to water scarcity in Fars province. Irrigation and Drainage Structures Engineering Research, 25(Winter), 78-51. [In Persian]
36.  Mishra, M.K., Sharma, N., Kumar, S., & Shah, M.A. (2024). Catalyzing green entrepreneurial behavior: the role of intentions and selective factors. Cogent Business & Management, 11(1), 2337959. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2024.2337959
37.  Momeni, D., Javadimoghaddam, J., & Roustapour, O. (2022). Investigating the effect of using shading net on climate change in Pistachio and Apricot Gardens. Agricultural Mechanization, 7(1), 49-72.‏ [In Persian]
38.  Mohamed, A.A., & El-Nagger, M.G. (2018). Economic analysis of protected cultivation: Comparison of vegetable vs. fruit. The Journal of Agricultural Science, 10(3), 187–195. https://doi.org/10.5539/jas.v10n3p187
39.  Narjesi, V. (2021). Shade covers and their effect on environmental control in pomegranate orchards. Anar Teroviji Magazine, 3(4), 51-60. [In Persian] 
40.  Nguyen, G.N., Lantzke, N., & van Burgel, A. (2022). Effects of shade nets on microclimatic conditions, growth, fruit yield, and quality of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.): A case study in Carnarvon, Western Australia. Horticulturae, 8(8), 696. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8080696
41.  Nisak, F.F., Prayitno, G., Ari, I.R.D., Hidayat, A.R.T., Waloejo, B.S., Usman, F., ... & Onishi, M. (2025). Quantifying the synergistic effects of social and human capital in farmers' decisions to adopt organic rice farming: A case study of Lombok Kulon village, Indonesia. Environmental Challenges, 20, 101204. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envc.2025.101204
42.  Ramezani Kiasejmahaleh, R., Amiri, M.J., & Zebardast, L. (2019). Social impact assessment of development projects on the local communities (Case study: Chamkhaleh Port Construction project). Geography and Development, 17(56), 215-232. doi: 10.22111/gdij.2019.4888. [In Persian] 
43.  Rawhouser, H., Cummings, M., & Newbert, S.L. (2019). Social impact measurement: Current approaches and future directions for social entrepreneurship research. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 43(1), 82–115. https://doi.org/10.1177/1042258717727718
44.  Rezaei-Moghaddam, K., & Karami, G. (2016). Assessing development impacts with emphasis on environmental assessment: Lessons learned from principles and concepts. Geography (Regional Planning), 6(23), 137–159. DOR:20.1001.1.22286462.1395.6.3.11.8. [In Persian] 
45.  Razmavar, F., Abdeshahi, A., Savari, M., & Bayat, P. (2023). Food security challenges among rural households in Bushehr Province of Iran. Village and Development, 25(100), 139-162. [In Persian]
46.  Sang, X., Chen, C., Hu, D., & Rahut, D.B. (2024). Economic benefits of climate-smart agricultural practices: Empirical investigations and policy implications. Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, 29(1), 9-29.
47.  Sayahi, M., Hashemitabar, M., & Akbari, A. (2023). The effects of climate change on the income of Iranian farmers: DSSAT approach. Journal of Natural Environment, 76(3), 539–551. http//doi.org/10.22059/jne.2023.356366.2535. [In Persian] 
48.  Santosh, D.T., Maitra, S., & Sairam, M. (2024). Enhancing rural economies with protected cultivation technologies. International Journal of Bioresource Science, 11(1), 71-79.
49.  Sarvari, A.A., Kakhki, M.D., Sabouni, M.S., & Salari, M. (2022). Factors affecting rural development with emphasis on the formation of agricultural clusters (case study: Gonabad county, Khorasan Razavi province). Village and Development, 25(97), 161-192. [In Persian]
50.  Sentoso, A., Junestin, J., & Nelson, A. (2024). The role of labour productivity in the influence of e-HRM on sustainability performance with organizational agility as a moderating variable in MSMEs. Almana: Journal Manajemen dan Bisnis, 8(2), 318-332. https://doi.org/10.36555/almana.v8i2.2583
51.  Sharifzadeh, M., Aliyari, V., Aliyari, N., & Kalus, A.G. (2023). Investigating the impacts of drought on rural households of Kakan District in Boyer Ahmad county. Iranian Agricultural Extention and Education Journal, 18, 73-87.‏ [In Persian] 
52.  Shivaji, C.S. (2018). Socio–Economic Transformation of Shade Net House Farmers in Buldana District [Master's Thesis]. Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, 1-141.
53.  Smyth, E., & Vanclay, F. (2017). The social framework for projects: A conceptual but practical model to assist in assessing, planning and managing the social impacts of projects. Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal, 35(1), 65–80. https://doi.org/10.1080/14615517.2016.1271539
54.  Statistical Center of Iran (2022). Statistical Yearbook System. https://amar.org.ir/salnameh-amari [In Persian] 
55.  Sun, X., Wan, J., Li, Z., Tu, R., Lin, J., Li, X., & Chen, J. (2025). Application and effectiveness of blended learning in medical imaging via the technology acceptance model. BMC Medical Education, 25(1), 739. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-025-07293-6
56.  Ud Din, M., Ahmad, A., Samad, S., Lee, S., & Han, H. (2025). Sowing the seeds of sustainability: A sociological exploration of environmental sustainability within SME sector. Climate Services, 37, 100533. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cliser.2024.100533
57.  Vanclay, F. (2003). International principles for social impact assessment. Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal, 21(1), 5–12. https://doi.org/10.3152/147154603781766491
58.  Vidogbena, F., Adégbidi, A.B.E.A., Tossou, R., Assogba-Komlan, F., Martin, T., Ngouajio, M., ... & Zander, K.K. (2016). Exploring factors that shape small-scale farmers’ opinions on the adoption of eco-friendly nets for vegetable production. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 18(6), 1749-1770. DOI 10.1007/s10668-015-9717-z
59.  Watson, P., Wilson, J., Thilmany, D., & Winter, S. (2007). Determining economic contributions and impacts: What is the difference and why do we care? Journal of Regional Analysis & Policy, 37(2), 140–146. https://doi.org/10.22004/ag.econ.132414.
60.  Zare, H., Shirvanian, A.R., & Sharifzadeh, H.R. (2023). The effect of installation time and color of shading covering nets on some characteristics of leaf and fruit in two commercial fig cultivars under rainfed conditions. Journal of Plant Process and Function, 12(56), 43-58. DOR: 20.1001.1.23222727.1402.12.56.4.8. [In Persian]
61.  Zare, H. (2019). Effect of net covering on some vegetative, physiological, quantitative and qualitative characteristics of rainfed fig (Ficus carica L. cv. Sabz). Iranian Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology, 20(4), 423–434. DOR: 20.1001.1.16807154.1398.20.4.9.2. [In Persian]