Aims: Achieving sustainable food security in developing countries relies on utilizing the potential of rural-urban linkages. In other words, food security and national development can be achieved through these linkages.
Materials and Methods: This research is applied in its objective and descriptive-analytical in nature, with a futures studies approach. Data were collected through fieldwork and library research, and 17 strengths, 12 weaknesses, 17 opportunities, and 10 threats related to rural-urban linkages effective in food security in the peri-urban areas of Dehdasht were identified by experts. The sample population consisted of 25 experts and specialists. The validity and reliability of the questionnaires were confirmed through feedback from university professors. To analyze the data and propose optimal strategies for rural-urban linkages effective in food security, two strategic planning tools, SWOT and QSPM, were utilized.
Findings: The results indicate that the final internal score (IFE) is 2.973, which shows that the strengths of forming rural-urban linkages effective in food security outweigh their weaknesses (2.973 ˃ 2.5). Moreover, the final external factors score (EFE) is 2.988, indicating that the opportunities for rural-urban linkages effective in food security surpass the threats (2.988 ˃ 2.5). Furthermore, experts identified the aggressive SO strategy as the best strategy for establishing effective rural-urban linkages in the food security of rural households.
Conclusion: This study revealed that the strengths and opportunities of rural-urban linkages in the peri-urban areas of Dehdasht outweigh their weaknesses and threats. The aggressive SO strategy, recognized by experts as the most effective approach, highlights the importance of leveraging existing capacities to enhance food security.
Innovation: Focusing on the peri-urban areas of Dehdasht and employing a network-based approach introduces new dimensions to the analysis, which have been rarely addressed in similar studies.