Introduction
The predominant occupation of villagers in Sistan has been agriculture, animal husbandry, and fishing. Given the dependence of economic activities on the water inflow of the Hamoon International Wetland, continuous droughts have led to the stagnation of economic activities. The purpose of this research is a strategic analysis of the selection and prioritization of the optimal sustainable livelihood strategy in the Sistan region.
Materials and Methods
The SWOT-QSPM model was used to analyze strategic choices and prioritize optimal sustainable livelihood strategies in the Sistan region. Data collection was carried out using a questionnaire using a classified method from a statistical population of 250 local community members and 50 experts. The data and appropriate strategies were reviewed using the SWOT model, and the selected strategies were prioritized using the QSPM model.
Results and Discussion
The results showed that strengths; local communities prioritized the existence of indigenous knowledge of villagers about ways to secure sustainable livelihoods considering the location of the region with a score of 0.218, and experts prioritized the existence of indigenous and interested human resources with a score of 0.208. Analysis of weaknesses showed that local communities prioritized drought with a score of 0.065 and drought experts prioritized it with a score of 0.104. Analysis of opportunities showed that local communities prioritized the provision of credit facilities and loans to promote livestock and animal husbandry with a score of 0.224 and the existence of educated human resources with a score of 0.219. The results of threats showed that the intensification of persistent droughts with a score of 0.076 from the perspective of local communities and with a score of 0.059 from the perspective of experts. According to the SWOT matrix, the SO strategy was selected. According to the QSPM matrix, the attention of the government sector and relevant officials to the development of economic infrastructure in the region, providing government facilities and loans to the agricultural, livestock, etc. sectors, as well as providing facilities to housewives in order to develop and expand small and medium-scale economic activities, and formulating and planning for livelihood diversification in line with the capacities of the region, are among the first to third priorities of both groups.
Conclusions
In Sistan, due to the intensification of droughts, most economic activities are on the verge of destruction. In addition, the intensification of dust storms has affected the lives and health of local communities. Therefore, in the current situation, if local communities do not have a sustainable livelihood, the tendency to migrate increases. Therefore, in order to prevent migration, it is necessary to develop and plan for resilience and secure a sustainable livelihood. According to the results of this research, by developing; the attention of the relevant government sector to the development of economic infrastructure in the region, providing government facilities and loans to the agricultural, livestock, etc. sectors, as well as providing facilities to housewives in order to develop and expand small and medium-scale economic activities, developing and planning for livelihood diversification in accordance with the capacities of the region, its possible to create suitable conditions for local communities and prevent migration.