Factors affecting the livelihood sustainability of smallholder farmers in Iran

Abstract

To advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, it's essential to implement practices that improve the livelihoods sustainability. Achieving this goal requires identifying Factors affecting the livelihood sustainability of smallholder farmers (LSOSF). For this purpose, this study, conducted during 2023–2024. A statistical sample of 500 smallholders from Alborz, Guilan, Hormozgan, and Yazd provinces in Iran was selected using a multistage sampling method. The survey indicated an average farming unit had three able-bodied household members aged between 18 and 65, with none engaged in formal education. The head of household had an average of 10.53 years of formal education, ranging from 2 to 18 years. Household health status revealed an average of 1.69 healthy family members per unit. Annual savings for the farmers were approximately 100 million rials, about one-fifth of their total annual income. Regarding social networks, 55% of respondents had moderate to low confidence in assistance from neighbors and relatives during hardship. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to examine factors influencing LSOSF. Results indicated technical, economic, social, and environmental factors had positive and significant impacts on LSOSF. Among technical factors, agricultural land quality, land use conservation, land aggregation, and cropping patterns were identified as the most influential, with land use conservation having the greatest impact. Key factors such as soil erosion prevention, mitigation of land subsidence from groundwater extraction, and development of agricultural processing industries are crucial for LSOSF. This study provides a foundation for developing strategies to enhance smallholder farmers' livelihoods and well-being. • Technical, economic, social, and environmental aspects are the key factors influencing the LSOSF. • The most significant technical driver was agricultural land use conservation, with soil erosion prevention and mitigation of land subsidence as critical priorities. • Each farming unit had three able-bodied members, annual savings constituted one-fifth of total income, and there was moderate to low confidence in social support networks.