Agroforestry Systems in Arasbaran Region, Obstacles and Opportunities for Farmers in Combating with Climate Change | ||
| ECOPERSIA | ||
| Article 4, Volume 12, Issue 4 - Serial Number 50, 2024, Pages 363-377 PDF (768.11 K) | ||
| Document Type: Original Research | ||
| DOI: DOI: 10.22034/ECOPERSIA.12.4.363 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Sajad Ghanbari* 1; Samira Sasanifar2 | ||
| 1Department of Forestry, Ahar Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tabriz, Ahar, Iran | ||
| 2Faculty of Natural Resources, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Aims: Climate change significantly threatens food security and environmental sustainability in semi-arid regions, such as northwestern Iran, where declining rainfall and rising temperatures challenge agricultural productivity and resource management. Agroforestry systems, integrating agriculture, forestry, and animal husbandry, have emerged as a promising solution to these challenges. This study evaluates the potential of agroforestry systems for enhancing resilience to climate change in the Arasbaran Region of northwest Iran. Materials & Methods: The research assesses the impact of these systems on soil quality, biodiversity, and water resource optimization through a detailed survey of 78 households. Quantitative and qualitative questions were used to collect information from the sample households. The main questions addressed personal characteristics, occupation, farm details, types of species, costs, incomes, types of harvested products, selling methods, changes in species and products over time, and factors affecting production levels. Findings: Results indicate that agroforestry practices, such as integrating drought-resistant tree species with crops and livestock, improve soil health, conserve moisture, and diversify income sources. Despite these benefits, farmers face obstacles, including inadequate technical knowledge, limited access to quality seedlings, and insufficient policy support. Socioeconomic factors such as land tenure and financial constraints further complicate widespread adoption. The study reveals that income increase is the primary motivation for adopting agroforestry, while challenges such as lack of government support and educational gaps are significant barriers. Apple (56%) and walnut (41%) are the most commonly planted species, followed by poplar (20.5%) and sour cherry (15%). The three-year mean household income is 2,185 million rials (SD= 2,382). Conclusion: Overall, agroforestry presents a valuable opportunity for improving agricultural sustainability and resilience in arid and semi-arid regions. Addressing existing challenges through targeted interventions and leveraging traditional knowledge and international examples can enhance the effectiveness of these systems in mitigating the impacts of climate change. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Farmers' challenges; Resilience; Semi-arid regions; Sustainability | ||
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