نوع مقاله : مقاله برگرفته از پایان نامه
نویسندگان
1 دیپارتمنت اقتصاد و توسعه زارعتی، دانشکده زراعت، دانشگاه بغلان، افغانستان
2 گروه آموزشی مدیریت و توسعه کشاورزی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه تهران، ایران
3 گروه مدیریت و توسعه کشاورزی، دانشکده کشاورزی، دانشگاه تهران، تهران، ایران
چکیده
کلیدواژهها
موضوعات
عنوان مقاله [English]
نویسندگان [English]
Introduction
Today, the development of economic activities in rural areas is considered one of the most constructive strategies for the economic, social, and cultural development of underprivileged regions (Ellis, 2005). Many people in rural areas face a shortage of job opportunities, declining incomes, significant population growth, high unemployment rates, and multidimensional poverty (Shaiq et al., 2022), which places them at risk of livelihood insecurity. Diversifying economic activities in rural environments can be a dynamic and adaptive process in response to threats and opportunities, allowing farmers to manage risks (Shaiq et al., 2024; Varmazyari et al., 2018; Kassie, 2016; Baniasadi, Mehrjouee, & Varmazyari, 2013), sustain their income and livelihoods, and improve their living standards (Gebreyesus, 2018). This study aims to identify the main requirements for diversifying rural economic activities among rural households in Kunduz Province and seeks to answer the following question: What are the key requirements for rural households to engage in economic diversification?
Methodology
The present study employed a quantitative approach and utilized a non-experimental (survey) strategy. The statistical population studied consisted of the heads of rural households in Kunduz Province. To determine the sample size, G*Power software was used. A multi-stage sampling method was employed in this research. In the first stage, four districts (Goltapeh, Aliabad, Khanabad, and Chahardara) were selected from ten administrative units in Kunduz Province using cluster sampling, and then four villages were chosen from each of the selected districts. The primary data collection tool was a questionnaire. For data analysis, in addition to descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation, the coefficient of variation was used to prioritize the items presented by respondents. Since, in the real world, all factors and variables influencing a phenomenon typically coexist and do not operate independently, exploratory factor analysis was used to identify the most effective factors and variables. It should be noted that factor analysis is a dependent method in which all variables are considered simultaneously (Kalantari, 2018).
Results and discussion
The results related to descriptive statistics indicated that over 72% of respondents were in the age groups of under 35 years and between 35 to 48 years. However, it can be inferred that they are on the threshold of middle age. Therefore, it can be expected that the potential for developing and promoting rural businesses to enhance their income is feasible. Additionally, the results showed that over 34% of the farmers studied were illiterate in terms of educational level. Meanwhile, nearly 40% of them had literacy skills limited to reading and writing. Thus, promotional training to familiarize them with rural economic activities and to promote these activities for income generation is essential. It is necessary to use appropriate methods for improving learning, enhancing knowledge, motivation, and skills, considering their educational levels. Notably, out of a sample of 188 individuals, only 33.5% had participated in training programs offered by relevant authorities. Therefore, it seems that to improve the income-generating capabilities of rural residents and address issues related to starting and conducting economic activities, relevant institutions must adopt necessary measures in the areas of education and empowerment. Especially since exploratory factor analysis also showed that empowerment is among the three key factors for economic diversification.
The results from the coefficient of variation also indicated that the highest consensus was related to the requirements for professional training of the workforce, increased interaction and cooperation among rural residents, introducing suitable business opportunities to them, and encouraging them to start and engage in new businesses and use new technologies. In fact, the results of the coefficient of variation also align with previous findings of this study regarding the importance of empowerment. In this regard, Esfouh and colleagues (2017) reached similar results, arguing that factors like entrepreneurship training and skill development increase the participation of smallholder farmers in non-agricultural activities.
Moreover, the factors derived from the exploratory factor analysis indicated that 60% of the variance in the requirements for diversifying the rural economy was explained by five main factors: "infrastructural and input," "identification of business opportunities," "empowerment," "marketing," and "financial requirements," which somewhat aligns with the findings of Danso-Abbeam (2020), Mahendra (2007), and Asfaw et al. (2017).
Conclusion
The findings indicate that essential requirements such as infrastructure development, empowerment, promoting technologies, and financial facilities are crucial for the development of rural economic activities. Undoubtedly, communities that engage in economic diversification are less vulnerable to economic and climatic changes compared to those reliant on primary sectors like agriculture.
Considering that over 70% of Afghanistan's population lives in rural areas, strengthening rural businesses can significantly contribute to the development of these regions. The insights gained from this study, especially in light of the lack of sufficient empirical literature in Afghanistan, can serve as a valuable guide for stakeholders and policymakers involved in rural development. By addressing these fundamental requirements, it is possible to establish a resilient and prosperous rural economy in Kunduz and similar areas.
کلیدواژهها [English]
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