Document Type : Original Article

• کشاورزی و توسعه روستایی

Extended Abstract

1. Introduction

This article provides a comprehensive overview of the concept of food security, addressing the challenges and proposing solutions at both global and national levels. Given the escalating population growth, the intensifying effects of climate change, and the persistent socio-economic disparities, achieving sustainable food security has become a paramount priority within the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals agenda. The challenges to food security encompass population growth and the consequent increase in food demand, the adverse impacts of climate change, socio-economic inequalities, and the inherent vulnerabilities of food systems. Proposed solutions include the promotion of sustainable agriculture, the fortification of food systems, the enhancement of food accessibility, and the transformation of consumption patterns. In Iran, food security is recognized as a national priority, as evidenced by its inclusion in foundational documents such as the Constitution and the 1404 Vision Plan. 1  However, food insecurity persists as a significant challenge in certain rural regions, notably in East Azerbaijan Province. This text elucidates the concept of food security and its determinants through the presentation of a theoretical framework and a review of existing research. Various definitions of food security, including that of the FAO, are examined, and socio-economic, environmental, and political factors are identified as key determinants. Achieving sustainable food security necessitates concerted and integrated efforts at the global, national, and regional levels. 2  In light of the multifaceted challenges, the adoption of innovative and sustainable approaches to food production, distribution, and consumption is imperative to ensure food security for all.

2. Materials and Methods

The present research, in terms of purpose, is applied, and in terms of nature and data collection, is descriptive-analytical. The observation unit in this research is rural households, and for the selection of samples, a random sampling method using the Krejcie-Morgan table (272 individuals) was employed. The sample size was divided using the proportional assignment formula. To evaluate the validity of the research instruments, content and face validity methods were used. These evaluations were conducted with the guidance of university professors to ensure that the questions were consistent with the research objectives and content. To analyze the factors affecting the food security of rural households in the Arasbaran region, a conceptual model was first designed based on theoretical literature. Then, face (apparent) validity was used to assess the validity of the measurement instrument. To ensure the reliability (stability) of the research questionnaire, Cronbach's alpha method was used. The questionnaires, according to each section of the research, were provided to professors and experts in the relevant field, and Cronbach's alpha coefficient was calculated using SPSS software. For data analysis, the structural equation modeling method using LISREL was employed.

3. Results and Discussion

This study examined four key indicators related to food security: food access, food quality and safety, natural resource sustainability, and rural empowerment and employment. For each indicator, critical components were identified, acting as significant challenges to achieving food security in the Arasbaran region. The Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) was used to evaluate the overall model fit. An RMSEA value of 0.049 indicated an acceptable model fit. Additionally, the chi-square statistic and other model fit indices demonstrated a significant compatibility of the model with the empirical data. The research findings revealed that all latent variables had some influence on the food security of rural households in the Arasbaran region. Rural empowerment, natural resource sustainability, food quality and safety, and food access exhibited strong and positive correlations. Furthermore, ten critical and influential challenges to the food security of rural households in the Arasbaran region were identified. These included import dependency, access to healthy and safe foods, agricultural land-use change, inadequate agricultural development programs, lack of access to specialized training, food price volatility, insufficient use of modern technologies, food processing issues, water resource scarcity, and the absence of modern agricultural technologies. Analysis of the LISREL outputs for various inter-variable pathways indicated that food quality and safety, natural resource sustainability, and rural empowerment and employment had positive and significant impacts on food access. Similarly, natural resource sustainability and rural empowerment and employment had positive and significant impacts on food quality and safety. Rural empowerment and employment also had a positive and significant impact on natural resource sustainability.

4. Conclusions

This paper examines ten key challenges to the food security of rural households in the Arasbaran region, each of which directly or indirectly impacts food security. These challenges include import dependency, limited access to healthy and hygienic foods, agricultural land-use change, inadequate agricultural development programs, lack of specialized training for farmers, severe food price fluctuations, insufficient use of modern technologies for product protection, problems in food processing, water resource scarcity, and the absence of modern agricultural technologies. Import dependency, due to global market fluctuations and sanctions, threatens the region's food security. Limited access to healthy and hygienic foods leads to malnutrition. 1  Agricultural land-use change reduces agricultural production. Ineffective development programs lower productivity. 2  Lack of training and technology keeps farmers from modern methods. Food price fluctuations reduce household purchasing power. Insufficient use of technologies increases product waste. Processing problems reduce added value. Water resource scarcity reduces production, and the absence of modern technologies lowers productivity. These challenges necessitate appropriate planning and policymaking. The findings of this research align with previous studies. For example, the impact of agricultural technologies, income, literacy, and agricultural development on food security has been confirmed in other studies. However, there are also differences; some studies emphasize the direct impact of income, while this research focuses more on infrastructural and institutional challenges. This indicates that in different regions, the factors affecting food security vary, and in the Arasbaran region, infrastructural and institutional issues are of greater importance.  

5. Acknowledgment & Funding

This article is an excerpt from the doctoral dissertation of the first author (Jamal Rezvani) from the University of Tabriz.

6. Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.