نوع مقاله : علمی - پژوهشی
نویسندگان
1 استادیار، گروه علوم و مهندسی جنگل، دانشکده منابع طبیعی، دانشگاه گیلان، صومعه سرا، گیلان، ایران
2 استاد، گروه علوم و مهندسی جنگل، دانشکده منابع طبیعی، دانشگاه گیلان، صومعه سرا، گیلان، ایران
3 دانشجوی کارشناسی ارشد مدیریت جنگل، دانشکده منابع طبیعی، دانشگاه گیلان، صومعه سرا، گیلان، ایران
4 دانشجوی کارشناسی علوم و مهندسی جنگل، دانشکده منابع طبیعی، دانشگاه گیلان، صومعه سرا، گیلان، ایران
چکیده
کلیدواژهها
موضوعات
عنوان مقاله [English]
نویسندگان [English]
Introduction and Objective: Entrepreneurship is one of the most effective approaches for improving the economic and social conditions of rural areas. It is a process that, through the creation of small and medium sized businesses, leads to increased income, reduced unemployment rates, prevention of excessive rural to urban migration, improved quality of life, and the empowerment of rural residents. Entrepreneurship through tree farming particularly focused on Populus trees stands (Populus spp.) considered an innovative and sustainable economic activity with high potential for job creation, supplying raw materials for the wood industry, conserving natural resources, and providing environmental services. Populus trees, due to their fast growth, adaptability to the northern climate of Iran, compatibility with intercropping systems, and significant role in tree farming, are especially suitable for this purpose. The counties of Guilan Province, especially Sowmeh Sara, possess great potential for developing tree farming as a means of entrepreneurship, thanks to their favorable climate, fertile soil, and high groundwater levels. The main objective of the study is to surveying the economic and social role of wood farming in promoting rural entrepreneurship from the perspective of Populus farmers in Guilan Province, aiming to provide strategies for sustainable rural development through a detailed analysis of this activity.
Materials and Methods: This research was conducted using an exploratory mixed-methods approach, combining both quantitative and qualitative techniques. The primary data collection tool was a structured questionnaire designed with input from experts in forestry science and engineering, as well as specialists in wood farming. The questionnaire addressed four key dimensions of rural entrepreneurship: individual, economic, managerial-technological, and social. Content validity of the questionnaires was confirmed by experts, and reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, yielding a coefficient of 0.93, indicating high instrument reliability. The statistical population consisted of 60 active Populus farmers in Guilan Province, selected through cluster sampling due to the geographical dispersion of farmers and the concentration of wood farming activities in specific areas of the province. Collected data were analyzed using statistical software and exploratory factor analysis. Factor loadings, eigenvalues, and explained variance percentages were examined for each factor. To enhance analytical precision, Varimax rotation was applied to clarify the factor structure. In addition to quantitative analysis, qualitative insights were gathered from farmers regarding challenges, opportunities, and motivations for engaging in wood farming.
Findings: The results of data analysis revealed that wood farming has a significant social impact on improving the quality of life for rural residents. Approximately 55% of respondents believed that engaging in wood farming enhanced household welfare, increased economic security, and reduced dependence on seasonal jobs. Furthermore, 22% emphasized that this activity created new employment opportunities for rural youth and helped prevent their migration to urban centers. Therefore, 76.67% of them were interested in participating in training courses and using modern technologies to improve performance. From an economic perspective, considering the numerous challenges faced by agriculture in recent years including declining income, rising production costs, and market volatility 81.67% of respondents expressed willingness to continue investing in wood farming. This figure reflects strong confidence among farmers in the sustainability and profitability of the activity. Many farmers also stated that wood farming offers higher economic returns compared to other agricultural practices, and due to the shorter growth cycle of Populus species, capital recovery is achievable within a reasonable timeframe. Exploratory factor analysis results showed that the economic dimension, with an eigenvalue of 4.92, explained 38.45% of the total variance, indicating a more influential role in rural entrepreneurship compared to other dimensions, especially the social one. The finding suggests that economic motivations such as income generation, financial risk reduction, and resource efficiency are the primary drivers for farmers to engage in wood farming.
Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, wood farming centered on Populus trees serves as a sustainable economic activity that significantly contributes to rural entrepreneurship. This practice not only helps meet the country’s timber needs but also fosters employment, boosts income, improves living standards, and alleviates pressure on natural forests thereby laying the groundwork for sustainable development in rural areas. Moreover, wood farming can be a strategic response to environmental challenges such as climate change, soil erosion, and resource depletion. In light of the research results, it is recommended that supportive and incentive policies be formulated for Populus farmers, including financial assistance, guaranteed product purchase, crop insurance, and the establishment of local and regional timber markets.
Additionally, organizing training programs to enhance farmers’ technical knowledge, introducing fast-growing and resilient species, and developing necessary infrastructure for wood processing can increase productivity and profitability. At the national level, wood farming should be integrated into broader strategies for natural resource management and rural development.
کلیدواژهها [English]
)