چکیده:
Purpose - Several models of rural development have been proposed but they have failed to adequately
explain why development stagnates in certain regions. To fill this knowledge gap, this qualitative research
was conducted.
Design/methodology/approach- Based on focus group interviews with farmers and semi-structured
interviews with rural managers and experts from two sub-counties in Kherameh, Fars province, the barriers
of rural development under drought were investigated.
Finding- Various adaptation strategies, such as changing cropping pattern, developing greenhouses and
rising mushroom, quail and ostrich, have been applied by farmers in order to reduce the negative impacts
of drought and water scarcity. However, different barriers including climate variability, quantitative and
qualitative reduction of water resources, unemployment and lack of sustainable job opportunities,
limitation of financial resources and investment, inefficiency of institutional supporting policies, limitation
of budgets and loans, and uncertainty about future of agriculture have prevented rural areas from
development.
Practical implications - Continuous monitoring of drought and developing early warning systems,
consensus about distribution of common water resources, water conveyance from other regions and
considering water subsides, local participation in development planning, encouraging research institutes
to focus their research on investigating and producing water resistance crops, improving drought
management information through effective extension services and linking urban-based businesses with
small-scale crop producers are offered to improve rural development in this drought prone area.
Originality/value- Given that a similar study has not been conducted about rural development traps under
drought, the findings of this study can be used by rural development planners and practitioners.