Challenges of food security in rural areas using grounded theory approach in Ravansar County, Western Iran

Abstract

In Iran, as a developing country, rural communities have a great contribution in supplying food. More than 80 percent of raw material in Iran are produced in rural communities. In spite of mass production emphasis of legislations on the food security of rural communities in Iran, the exiting evidence suggest that food security in rural areas is in an unfavorable condition. The objective of the study is to identify the challenges that food security faces. Statistical population comprises of villages constituting Ravansar county. Where the residents are in not favourable condition in terms of food security. In methodologically sense, the qualitative procedure of grounded theory is applied in order to run a deep assessment on the subject through theoretical sampling. The process of sampling and collecting field data continued up to theoretical saturation. Results revealed five main Interconnected challenges in food security. These Challenges are: include weakness in policymaking, poor economic conditions, environmental deficiencies and hazards, cultural barriers and social changes and instability in agriculture industry. © Association of European Geographers.