ارزیـابی اثـرات یکپـارچه‌سـازی اراضی بر تـوسعه کشـاورزی منـاطق روستـایی،

Evaluation of Land Consolidation Effects on Development of Agriculture in Rural Areas,
(Case Study: khoosf District of Birjand)

Mahmoud Fallsoleyman
Assistant Professor of Geography and Rural Planning, University of Birjand

Mahmoud Moradi
Assistant Professor of Geography and Rural Planning, Payame Noor University

Ameneh Abtahinia
Master's Degree of Geography and rural Planning, University of Birjand

Extended Abstract


1- Introduction

Since one of the most important obstacles in agriculture development and also rural development as its consequence, is the traditional farming system, it is necessary to investigate various aspects of this system especially its review, and evolution in owenershion and land shape, and other affairs in this regard in a way that using modern methods be possible. Assessment and investigation of some basic and under implementation plans such as farm land consolidation is one of the most important factors hindering land dispersal and leads crucial changes in current production system. The Results of this study show that the performance of this program in the studied area accompanied by reducing the number of farming lands, caused economizing in organization and reduction of costs in farming productions and also use of new technology in lands are followed by increasing the production and farmer’s income.

2-Theoretical Bases
Due to close relation between agriculture and rural area (village), agriculture development becomes meaningful in the context of rural development. On the other hand, agriculture development to implement appropriate evolutions and changes for spreading activities scope, extending affaires and increasing functions, will follow rural development (Shadbazi, 1372:10).
Since farming land consolidation involves optimum use of water, implementing this plan in dry areas, seems necessary. So by reducing production costs we make a great impact on rural economy. Main questions of the study in pilot can be conveyed as what the effect of implementing farming land consolidation plan was on cost savings of production sections and costs reduction. Whether farming land consolidation leads an increase in crop production and farmers income improvement. And finally, by implementing farming land consolidation plan, which changes occurred in modern technology in lands.
Explorations and assessments are done in this field in different areas to understand this problem that which of the certain goals are done, and positive and negative results in different economical and social views are very important for development of the designs of land consolidation to the same geographical areas.

3- Methodology
The current study is an applied one, used descriptive –analytical method along with a survey approach, and the required data were gathered through questionnaire, interview, and observation.


Data were analyzed through t-test using SPSS and Excel. The subjects involve 73 farmers in Kanghond and Gheisabad who took part in farming land consolidation and they were wholly investigated.

4- Discussion & Conclusion
In order to answer research questions and to evaluate the role of agricultural lands in the domain of Land Consolidation, t-test was used. Test results show that the consolidation effect of the consumption of fertilizers has not a significant impact on the case (such as number of crops, seed consumption, production cost, etc.). The results of such research can include:
 32% reduction in the number of farm lands of each beneficiary
 20 percent cost savings in water consumption and optimal water use
 56.03% increase of under cultivation area
 29.5percentage in production costs reduction
 56.4percentage in production rate increase
 56.3percentage of gross income increase
Some of the consequences of implementing the farming land consolidation plan for agricultural lands in the studied area are mentioned here. After consolidating lands and using agricultural machinery, each beneficiary’s spare time increased, and the farmers (beneficiaries) took a chance to take part in other activities and to do economical affairs. All the mentioned cases besides achieving aims of implementing plan, leads farmers demands for implementing the plan in those farming lands not being involved in consolidation plan.

5- Suggestion
Implementing farming land consolidation in two third of remained lands with governmental help and support based on beneficiaries demanded for developing the plan to other lands.
Using plan pilot as a prototype farm for other farmers’ visits that could be effective in implementing farming land consolidation in other provinces.
According to working hours reduction after implementing consolidation plan in farming lands, correct planning programs for employment of rural farmers and women seems necessary. In line with that, creating of related industries such as livestock or poultry used for beneficiaries’ employment and optimal use of provided leisure time is essential, so as a side job to provide a source of income for the rural.

Key words:
Agriculture development, Land consolidation, khoosf District, Birjand

6- References
- Anushirvani,A.(1992), Problems of Working Groups Formed to Integrate Land Use and Agricultural Production Cooperatives,Center of Rural Researchs & Agriculture Economy, Tehran.
- Bakhshudeh, M. &Najafi B.(1991), The Cost of Fagmentation land in Fars Province,Iran Agriculture Science Journal,N.1-2, PP.21-32.
- Cox. M (2003), The design of land Consolidation pilot projects in central and eastern Europe, Fao land tenure studies of the united nations, Rome,PP.24.
- Demir. H, Gur. M, Cagadas. V (2002), Land consolidation, Valuation and Cadastre, Turkey, Yildiz Technical University Department of Geodesy and Photogrammetry Engineering
- Yildiz Technical University Main Campus, FIG XXII International Congress,Washington, D.C. USA, April 19-26., PP.2.
- Eftekhary, A.R(2004),Agriculture Development(Concepts ,Tenets, Research Method ,Planning in Agriculture Land Consolidation), Samt Publisher,First Ed, Tehran.
- HadyPoor, S. (2004), The Spatial Consequences of Spatial Integration of Agricultural Lands and Its Role in Rural Development (village Gudyn), Rural Planning Geography MSc thesis, Shahid Beheshti University.
- Heydarpoor,Z (2006), Land Consolidation and Reduce land Fragmentation, Priority to Rural Development, Bimonthly magazine, Jihad,NO.275, PP.257-239.
- Heydary, GH.(1996), Integration of land and agricultural development in Iran, Journal of Research and Development, Agricultural Economy Journal, No.13.
- Hosseini abary, H. (2002) Entries on Rural Geography of Iran, Isfahan University Press, first edition.
- Kashef, F. (2003), Integration of Land, an Important principle in Achieving Sustainable Agricultural Development, Journal of Promotive & training Ham-velayaty,the second year, No. 10, pp. 24-30.
- Lerman. Z, Climpoies. D.(2006) Land consolidation as a Factor for Successful Development of Agriculture in Moldova, Paper presented at the 96th EAAE Seminar “Causes and Impacts of Agricultural Structures”.10 – 11 January Tänikon, Switzerland, PP
- Maymn poosh, A. & Heydari, N. (2003) Integration of land under modern irrigation networks, Catchment or Zayande rood, summer drought and agricultural drought, No. I, pp. 45-56.
- Myrdrykvnd, Asfndya (2003) Benefits of Integration of Land, Jihad Magazine, Twenty-Third Year, No. 258, pp. 100-102.
- Palmer david(2008), Fao, s experiences with land Consolidation in central and Eastern Europe Proceedings.43 rd Croatians and 3 rd International Symposium on Agriculture. Opatija.Croatia. Opatija.Croatia, P .29.
- Purmaryashy, S.M(1996), Farming Land Consolidation in Iran & Other Countries, Plan and Budget Journal,No 11, PP.57-82.
- Sadeghi, MA (2005) Integration of agricultural land reform in rural development and proffered solutions using GIS, Rural Planning Arshdjghrafya Thesis, Tehran Teacher Training University.
- Safi-Nezhad, J. Amyny, P Banyzadeh, M. and Vosoughi, M. (1983), Examined the Social and Economic Problems Caused by Traditional Units in the form of Land Arak, Tehran University, Institute of Social Studies Faculty of Social Sciences College.
- Saidi, A., and Basir, M. (2002) Segmentation of Land, Integration and Rural Development, Case study: Lasht-e- nasha rural area, Journal of Earth Sciences, No. 8 and 9, pp. 116-126.
- Saini, A. S. (1995), Impact of consolidation on technology adoption and inequalities in Himachal Prodesh. Bihar-J. Agric. Market. 3:242-248.
- Shahbazi, E. (1993), Promoting Rural Development, Tehran University, Tehran.
- South Khorasan Agriculturl Office,(2010), Five-year Development Program, The Operational Program of Agriculture in South Khorasan Province.
- Vosoughi, M. Faraji, A. (2006), Sociological Research on Factors Affecting Farmers' Willingness to Participate in the Integration of Farm Land (case study: villages of Zarin dasht), Iranian Journal of Sociology, Volume VII, No. 2, pp. 3-28.