Land Use Changes, Fragmentation, and Traditional Peasantry in Iran: Situations and Problems

Abstract

Environmental conservation is not in conflict with development. Nowadays observe a huge amount in changing land use patterns in natural resources and rural areas toward establishing vacation homes (second houses), touristy restaurants and hotels, recreational centers, etc., in them that caused destroying these unique valuable lands and great threats for sustainable development (SD) in Iran. In most places of Iran the acreage of productive lands is limited and balancing food security and economic development are two important and critical goals for policy makers and governmental authorities. In these regards, author discussing various aspects that caused of changing land use patterns in natural resources and rural areas in Iran. Furthermore, author discussing various aspects that caused of land fragmentation, traditional peasantry and small holdings and their effects in confronting for utilizing modern technologies and increasing productivity and receiving to food self-sufficiency and security in Iran. In the end of article, present final and exigency acquired model on the ways of confronting to these in the end present two final and exigency acquired models on the ways of confronting to these land use changes and traditional land use patterns for accessing to SD goals and criteria in agricultural production system in Iran.