Village and Development

Village and Development

Identifying the Conceptual Model of Sustainable Food Security with a Resistance Economy Approach in the Rural Community of Khuzestan Province: A Qualitative Approach

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Sh. Asadi 1
A. Noorollah Noorivandi 2
A.R. Ommani 3
M.S. Sabouri 4
1 PhD Student of Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Shoushtar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shoushtar, Iran.
2 Corresponding Author and Assistant Professor of Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Shoushtar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shoushtar, Iran.
3 Associate Professor of Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Shoushtar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shoushtar, Iran.
4 Associate Professor of Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Garmsar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Garmsar, Iran.
10.30490/rvt.2023.362207.1524
Abstract
Introduction
Khuzestan is one of the most important hubs for the production of agricultural products in the country and plays a decisive role in providing agricultural products and creating sustainable food security. This province is facing many challenges and problems in the field of realizing resistance economy approaches in the agricultural sector. The numerous existing challenges that prevent the realization of sustainable food security with the approach of resistance economy in the agricultural sector are the most important issues considered in this research. The status of sustainable food security criteria from the dimensions of quantity and quality; its availability, accessibility, consumption stability, consumption pattern and sustainability, according to the criteria the resistance economy in terms of knowledge-based, endogeneity, extroversion, flexibility, productivity improvement, realization of dynamic growth and popularity in the studied area is not in a good condition and faces many challenges. Therefore, it is necessary to identify sustainable food security with the approach of resistance economy in the rural community of Khuzestan province to provide a solution to overcome the mentioned problems and challenges.
Materials and Methods
In this research, a  qualitative and exploratory paradigm has been used. In the exploratory qualitative research method, the researcher first collects the required information. Collecting qualitative data leads to the description of countless aspects of a topic. This initial knowledge provides the possibility of further study about the occurrence of the studied phenomenon. After this stage, the researcher should investigate the topic and identify its different dimensions according to the conditions of the region using the opinion of experts. Semi-structured interviews, brainstorming and focus group methods were used to achieve the research objectives in the qualitative part. The purpose of sampling in qualitative methods is to understand the desired phenomenon. Therefore, sampling in this method is purposeful. Sample size is considered synonymous with data saturation. The study sample of this research in the qualitative phase included 35 experts from the province with agricultural expertise. The number of people was not known in advance, but the process of conducting interviews continued until reaching theoretical saturation.
Results and Discussion
The opinions of the interviewees were extracted through systematic coding and the components and the default pattern were determined. In the first step, 12 criteria and 65 sub-criteria were identified by using the method of reviewing sources and records of research and content analysis, and then by interviewing experts, focus group method and brainstorming sessions with 35 experts, 7 criteria and 35 sub-criteria were extracted. These criteria and sub-criteria were identified as sustainable food security criteria with a resistance economy approach in rural areas of Khuzestan province. In this study, each dimension of sustainable food security with resistance economy approaches was discussed and exchanged in the brainstorming and focus group meetings. The result was the identification of operational and executive solutions, the realization of which paves the way to achieve sustainable food security with resistance economy approaches. The realization of each of the identified solutions requires foundation and provision of the necessary requirements and is a suitable model for future research in this field.
Conclusions
In this research, the results explained the dimensions of sustainable food security with resistance economy approaches, in accordance with the social, economic, productive and cultural characteristics of the society.
It is suggested that researchers in the field of food security in Khuzestan province analyze and identify the fields and platforms required for the realization of each of the identified solutions, based on the conceptual framework that was the result of the research. It is also suggested that the planners of the agricultural sector should pay attention to the following strategies to realize food security with a resistance economy approach in the rural areas of Khuzestan province:

Attention to the development of Processing and Complementary Industries with a knowledge-based approach
Development of organic agriculture and healthy products with a knowledge-based approach
Extension of the standard consumption pattern
Production with a knowledge-based approach for stability and sustainability of consumption
Attention to the sustainability of agricultural products production with a knowledge-based approach
Supporting the production of strategic products
Emphasis on Islamic consumption pattern
Promotion of domestic production with minimal use of chemical inputs
Development of international interactions and import of needed products
Using knowledge and new technologies to increase production
Compliance with international standards for the production of healthy products
Paying attention to the productive economy in the agricultural sector according to the sustainable criteria of the environment
Paying attention to local organizations of farmers and developing people's participation in production
Development of educational programs in the field of consumption pattern modification
Keywords
Sustainable Food Security
Resistance Economy
Qualitative Research Method
Khuzestan

Subjects

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