Identification and ranking of Factors Affecting Agricultural Land Allocation in Mahidasht Plain from the perspective of farmers and experts

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Entrepreneurship and Rural Development, Ilam University,Ilam, Iran

2 College of Agriculture, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran

3 Department of Engineering Management, Kermanshah University of Technology, Kermanshah, Iran

4 Department of Entrepreneurship and Rural Development, Ilam University, Ilam, Iran

5 College of Agriculture, Ilam University, Ilam, Iran

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Land use allocation is the issue of decision allocation of resources that assesses the suitability of each land unit for various land use options. Therefore, it is essential to identify the effective factors in allocating agricultural land. Since Mahidasht Plain is one of the most important agricultural fields in Kermanshah province, this study aims to identify and rank Factors Affecting Agricultural Land Allocation in Mahidasht Plain. This research has used descriptive-analytical methodology, and in terms of goal, it is development-applicative. The general research paradigm is a mixed (qualitative-quantitative) type of sequential-exploratory design. Specimens studied in the present study, Agricultural Jihad Organization staff, Research Center, and farmers, were selected by Purposeful. With over 40 examples of samples, instant saturation was achieved, and the articles were simplified.The identified factors were categorized into 7 categories by MAXQDA software, including economic, human, social, political, natural, physical, and cultural factors. Also, the results of ranking and weighting of indicators using hierarchical analysis and Expert Choice software showed that the most important effective factors in allocating agricultural lands based on their weight are economic dimensions (0.254), political dimensions (0.184), human dimensions (0.156), and natural dimensions (0.142), respectively.The results of this study can support land use planning and policy-making and be provided to land users as a decision support system.
Extended Abstract
Introduction
 Deciding on land use and ownership can enhance empowerment, sustainability of livelihoods, food production, and social status. Poor land-based decisions can lead to consolidation, poverty, inequality, and disability. Land use allocation is the issue of decision allocation of resources that assesses the suitability of each land unit for various land use options. These results indicate that land allocation has, in the past, been tasteful, unplanned, and based on political and economic conditions. Land use allocation is the issue of decision allocation of resources that assesses the suitability of each land unit for various land use options. Therefore, it is essential to identify the effective factors in allocating agricultural land. Since Mahidasht Plain is one of the most important agricultural fields in Kermanshah province, the purpose of this study is identification and ranking of factors affecting agricultural land allocation in Mahidasht Plain. 
 
Methodology
This study aimed to determine the components and subcomponents in the utility function of optimum allocation of agricultural lands. In this study, we selected a sample of crop experts, crop management experts, extension coordination management, water and soil management, land management, Provincial Land Use Committee, Mahidasht Service Center, and local farmers.  Then, purposive sampling with a snowball sampling technique was used to select the experts. Purposeful sampling was also used to select the farmers with a prominent sampling technique. With over 30 examples of samples, instant saturation was achieved, and the articles were simplified. In this study, in-depth and semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. The data collection process was that each interview took about 20 to 30 minutes on average. The paper begins with an open-ended question about what factors influence the farmer's decision on what type of land to cultivate. In order to analyze the data in this study, the traditional content analysis method was used according to the nature of the research. Therefore, in this study, in order to determine the effective components and sub-components in agricultural land allocation, the content of interviews was analyzed using three stages as open, axial, and selective coding. These three coding steps were performed in the MAXQDA software environment to facilitate the data analysis. The quantitative section used a pairwise comparison analysis based on hierarchical analysis and Expert Choice software to rank and weigh the components and sub-components effective in allocating agricultural lands.
 
Results and discussion
In the open coding phase in the MAXQDA software environment, 45 concepts were extracted that, according to the interviewees, these concepts are effective sub-components in agricultural land allocation. Also, these concepts in axial coding fall into 6 broad categories or concepts that are effective components in agricultural land allocation. The identified factors were categorized into 6 categories by MAXQDA software, including economic, human, social-cultural, political, natural, and physical. The qualitative analysis showed that seven factors (economic, natural, human, political, technical, socio-cultural) were determinants in the optimum allocation of agricultural land in Mahidasht Watershed Plain. Also, ranking and weighting indicators using hierarchical analysis and Expert Choice software showed that the most important effective factors in allocating agricultural lands based on their weight are economic (0.254), political (0.184), human (0.156), and natural dimensions (0.142).
The analysis of the interviews showed that the economic component is one of the effective factors in farmers' decision-making regarding the allocation of agricultural land. Interestingly, most farmers cited income, profit, and crop prices as economic components as the main conditions for crop cultivation. On the other hand, the results showed that human factors are another effective factor in allocating agricultural land in the study area. The interviews with farmers showed that access to the labor force, especially the family workforce, human potential, and productivity of human resources play an essential role in their decision-making regarding agricultural land allocation. The analysis of interviews with farmers showed that natural factors are one of the effective factors in the allocation of agricultural land. In this regard, rainfall, a natural component, is the main condition for cultivation, especially for dry crop cultivation. In other words, the yearly rainfall determines how much-rainfed crop yields will be.
 
Conclusion
According to the findings, the average temperature is also one of the natural components that effectively allocate agricultural land. On the other hand, the content analysis results indicated that socio-cultural factors are one of the effective factors in the allocation of agricultural land in Mahidasht Plain. Suppose the average consumption of products in the community and the particular tendency for one or more crops effectively allocate agricultural land. Political factors also affect the allocation of agricultural land among the farmers of Mahidasht Plain. The results of this study can support land use planning and policy-making and be provided to land users as a decision support system. 
 
Funding
There is no funding support.
 
Authors’ Contribution
Authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved thecontent of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work declaration of competing interest none.
 
Conflict of Interest
Authors declared no conflict of interest.
 
 Acknowledgments
We are grateful to all the scientific consultants of this paper.

Keywords

Main Subjects

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Human Geography Research
Volume 56, Issue 4
December 2024
Pages 191-208

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