Investigating the Economic Status of Northern Khorramabad Basin

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Soil Conservation and Watershed Management Research Department, Lorestan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Khorramabad, Iran

2 Researcher, Soil Conservation and Watershed Management Research Department, Lorestan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, (AREEO), Khorramabad, Iran

3 Associate Professor, Forests and Range Lands Research Department, Lorestan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Khorramabad, Iran

4 Socio-Economic Research Department, Lorestan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, (AREEO), Khorramabad, Iran

‎10.22052/deej.2025.255811.1085

Abstract

Introduction: Playing a crucial role in the economic and social growth of societies, agricultural development may help create numerous job opportunities and contribute significantly to non-oil exports. However, achieving this potential requires effective resource management and the sustainable use of watersheds. In other words, it could be argued that the way resources are owned and utilized within watersheds greatly influences sustainable agricultural development. In this regard, this study set out to investigate the economic status of the northern Khorramabad basin in terms of both the current potentials and limitations existing in the basin. Primarily characterized by peasant farming and smallholder agriculture, the area faces several challenges, including soil erosion, sedimentation, flooding, droughts, decreasing revenues, and population migration.
 
Material and methods: The primary objective of this study was to assess the economic status and living standards of the residents living near the basin on the one hand and the performance of various agricultural and livestock sectors on the other hand. To this end, several key issues were examined, including the size of agricultural and horticultural land, the production and yield of crops and horticultural products, employment in such sectors, livestock status, and the revenues earned from these activities. The required data for the study were collected through field visits, interviews with villagers, administration of a questionnaire, and consultations with local experts, officials of agricultural and health organizations, and reports published in previous years.
 
Results: The findings of the study indicated that the northern Khorramabad enjoyed limited diversity in terms of job opportunities. In this regard, it was found that the primary economic activities in the area consisted of agriculture, husbandry, and, in some cases, horticulture due to the basin's relatively limited potential for agricultural and husbandry activities. Accordinggly, key limiting factors included improper exploitation methods, inadequate skills and knowledge among operators, and an aging labor force. These factors have not only reduced agricultural productivity but also impeded the development of entrepreneurship within the region. Moreover, the study found that the residents' revenues predominantly depended on agricultural activities, with horticultural products such as walnut contributing significantly to the overall revenues earned from the basin. Economic assessments suggest that farming cows, calves, goats and young goats is more cost-effective than farming sheep and lamb. Moreover, the cost of farming sheep and lamb is estimated to be about 11 percent higher than that of other livestock, indicating relative inefficiency in this regard.
In addition to agriculture and husbandry, the northern Khorramabad basin possesses other potentials that could contribute to the region's development, including tourism and recreational capacities. In other words, the region has a significant capacity to attract both domestic and international tourists due to its unique landscapes and tourism attractions. However, lack of well-designed plans and proper management in terms of tourism has prevented the proper exploitation of such a great potential. Therefore, not only has the tourism sector failed to provide substantial job opportunities and revenues, but the lack of planning has also led to the degradation of natural resources of the region.
Discussion and conclusion: The analysis of the current status of the basin indicates that for sustainable development of agriculture and husbandry within the basin, it is essential to focus on structural changes and create new capacities. Improving the knowledge and skills of farmers, employing scientific methods for managing water and soil resources, and promoting innovative agricultural technologies can effectively boost productivity in this regard. Additionally, developing tourism activities by establishing adequate infrastructure and implementing organized programs can provide a new source of income for the local residents. Overall, this study showed that despite significant limitations, the Northern Khorramabad basin enjoys great capacities that can raise the region's economic and social status and improve the sustainability of natural resources if managed properly and supported by appropriate development policies. Furthermore, the findings of the study stressed the significance of local community participation in, careful planning for, and a holistic approach to basin development, presenting a model that can be applied to other similar regions.

Keywords

Main Subjects

  1. Abkar, A., Saeediyan, H., & Seyed Alikhani, N. (2024). Investigation the role of socio-economic issues in the development of the desert Watersheds (Case study: Yazdanabad watershed, Kerman Province). Journal of New Approaches in Water Engineering and Environment, 3(1), 33-46. https://doi.org/10.22034/nawee.2023.418861.1051.
  2. Chamanpira, R. (2019). Detailed watershed management studies for the northern Khorramabad basin. Natural Resources and Watershed Management Organization, 212 pp.
  3. De Lange, W.J., Wise, R.M., Forsyth, G.G., & Nahman, A. (2010). Integrating socio-economic and biophysical data to support water allocations within river basins: An example from the Inkomati water management area in South Africa. Environmental Modeling and Software Journal, 25, 43-50.
  4. Hosseinzadeh, A., Heidari, G., Barani, H., Zali, H., & Zandi Esfahan, E. (2017). Assessing the Effects of Socio-Economic Issues on Social Cohesion of Nomads (Case study: Shahsavan Nomads, Sabalan Mountain Range). Journal of Range and Watershed Managment, 69(4), 851-861. doi: 10.22059/jrwm.2017.61186.
  5. Jafari Mahdiabad, F. & Abdollahi ezatabadi, M. (2018). Investigating Some of the Economic and Social Issues of Landfall Phenomena Caused by Overusing the Underground Water in Rafsanjan City. Geography and Territorial Spatial Arrangement, 8 (26), 245-262. doi: 10.22111/gaij.2018.3853.
  6. Jakeman, A.J., Letcher, R.A., Rojanasoonthon, S., Cuddy, S., & Scott, A. (2005). Integrating knowledge for river basin management. Progress in Thailand. Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research Monograph, 118, 220p.
  7. Hasani, H. & Maleki, M. (2019). Socio-economic Impact Assessment of Watershed Plans Implemented from the Perspective of Stakeholders (Case Study: Hasan abdal Basin- Zanjan Province). Jwmseir, 13(45) :54-62. http://jwmsei.ir/article-1-781-fa.html.
  8. Heshmati, M., Parvizi, Y., Gheitury, M., Sanee, M., Shadfar, S., & Goodarzi, M. (2019). Stakeholder’s Opinion on Watershed Management Measures in Razin Catchment, Kermanshah, Iran. Watershed Engineering and Management, 11(1): 101-111. doi: 10.22092/ijwmse.2017.115139.1348.
  9. Imani Rastabi,M., Jalilvand, H., & Zand Basiri, M. (2013). Investigating the socio-economic issues of the Klagchi Zagros forests in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari. Journal of natural ecosystems of iran, 4(2), 52- 70. https://sid.ir/paper/215188/fa.
  10. Karimi Sangchini, E,. Salehpour Jam, A., Arami, A. & Bahadori, M. (2022). Economic and social analysis of the impacts of watershed projects from the perspective of people in the Reimale basin (Technical publication). Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Soil conservation and watershed management research institute, Lorestan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center, 57 pp.
  11. Kolahi, M. & Payeste, M. (2020). Impacts of Natural Resource Projects on Socioeconomic Issues of Villagers at ChahNouroz Watershed. Journal of Watershed Management Research,11(21), 154-164. doi:52547/jwmr.11.21.154.
  12. Lee, CC., Huang, KC., Kuo, SY., Cheng, CK., Tung, CP. & Liu, TM. (2021). Development of a social impact assessment for the water environment: A professional perspective. Water. 13(1): 3355-3376.
  13. Madadi, E. & Maleki, M. (2018). Socio-economic impact assessment of the implemented natural resource projects from the Stakeholders perspectives (Case Study: Watershed Andabil- Khalkhal City). Rangeland, 12(3), 267- 280. URL: http://rangelandsrm.ir/article-1-642-fa.html.
  14. Mansourian, N. & Mohamadi, B. (2008). Socio-economic study of watershed management projects in Iran (Case study: Kameh basin, Khorasan Razavi). 6th National Conference of Agricultural Economics.
  15. Mosaffaie, J. & Salehpour Jam, A. (2018). Economic assessment of the investment in soil and water conservation projects of watershed management. Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 11. DOI:10.1007/s12517-018-3706-0.
  16. Namaki, M., Shadfar, S., & Arabkhedri, M. (2006). Investigating some of the factors affecting the destruction of water and soil resources and its socio-economic consequences in the country. 3rd Erosion and Sediment National Conference.
  17. Saeeidian, H. (2021). A review of some watershed management methods used and future smart methods in Iran and the world. Water conservation and efficiency, 2(3): 14-52.
  18. Webb, N.P., Stokes, C.J., & Marshall, N.A. (2013). Integrating biophysical and socio-economic evaluations to improve the efficacy of adaptation assessments for agriculture. Global Environmental Change, 23(5), 1164-1177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2013.04.007

References

  1. Abkar, A., Saeediyan, H., & Seyed Alikhani, N. (2024). Investigation the role of socio-economic issues in the development of the desert Watersheds (Case study: Yazdanabad watershed, Kerman Province). Journal of New Approaches in Water Engineering and Environment, 3(1), 33-46. https://doi.org/10.22034/nawee.2023.418861.1051.
  2. Chamanpira, R. (2019). Detailed watershed management studies for the northern Khorramabad basin. Natural Resources and Watershed Management Organization, 212 pp.
  3. De Lange, W.J., Wise, R.M., Forsyth, G.G., & Nahman, A. (2010). Integrating socio-economic and biophysical data to support water allocations within river basins: An example from the Inkomati water management area in South Africa. Environmental Modeling and Software Journal, 25, 43-50.
  4. Hosseinzadeh, A., Heidari, G., Barani, H., Zali, H., & Zandi Esfahan, E. (2017). Assessing the Effects of Socio-Economic Issues on Social Cohesion of Nomads (Case study: Shahsavan Nomads, Sabalan Mountain Range). Journal of Range and Watershed Managment, 69(4), 851-861. doi: 10.22059/jrwm.2017.61186.
  5. Jafari Mahdiabad, F. & Abdollahi ezatabadi, M. (2018). Investigating Some of the Economic and Social Issues of Landfall Phenomena Caused by Overusing the Underground Water in Rafsanjan City. Geography and Territorial Spatial Arrangement, 8 (26), 245-262. doi: 10.22111/gaij.2018.3853.
  6. Jakeman, A.J., Letcher, R.A., Rojanasoonthon, S., Cuddy, S., & Scott, A. (2005). Integrating knowledge for river basin management. Progress in Thailand. Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research Monograph, 118, 220p.
  7. Hasani, H. & Maleki, M. (2019). Socio-economic Impact Assessment of Watershed Plans Implemented from the Perspective of Stakeholders (Case Study: Hasan abdal Basin- Zanjan Province). Jwmseir, 13(45) :54-62. http://jwmsei.ir/article-1-781-fa.html.
  8. Heshmati, M., Parvizi, Y., Gheitury, M., Sanee, M., Shadfar, S., & Goodarzi, M. (2019). Stakeholder’s Opinion on Watershed Management Measures in Razin Catchment, Kermanshah, Iran. Watershed Engineering and Management, 11(1): 101-111. doi: 10.22092/ijwmse.2017.115139.1348.
  9. Imani Rastabi,M., Jalilvand, H., & Zand Basiri, M. (2013). Investigating the socio-economic issues of the Klagchi Zagros forests in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari. Journal of natural ecosystems of iran, 4(2), 52- 70. https://sid.ir/paper/215188/fa.
  10. Karimi Sangchini, E,. Salehpour Jam, A., Arami, A. & Bahadori, M. (2022). Economic and social analysis of the impacts of watershed projects from the perspective of people in the Reimale basin (Technical publication). Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Soil conservation and watershed management research institute, Lorestan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center, 57 pp.
  11. Kolahi, M. & Payeste, M. (2020). Impacts of Natural Resource Projects on Socioeconomic Issues of Villagers at ChahNouroz Watershed. Journal of Watershed Management Research,11(21), 154-164. doi:52547/jwmr.11.21.154.
  12. Lee, CC., Huang, KC., Kuo, SY., Cheng, CK., Tung, CP. & Liu, TM. (2021). Development of a social impact assessment for the water environment: A professional perspective. Water. 13(1): 3355-3376.
  13. Madadi, E. & Maleki, M. (2018). Socio-economic impact assessment of the implemented natural resource projects from the Stakeholders perspectives (Case Study: Watershed Andabil- Khalkhal City). Rangeland, 12(3), 267- 280. URL: http://rangelandsrm.ir/article-1-642-fa.html.
  14. Mansourian, N. & Mohamadi, B. (2008). Socio-economic study of watershed management projects in Iran (Case study: Kameh basin, Khorasan Razavi). 6th National Conference of Agricultural Economics.
  15. Mosaffaie, J. & Salehpour Jam, A. (2018). Economic assessment of the investment in soil and water conservation projects of watershed management. Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 11. DOI:10.1007/s12517-018-3706-0.
  16. Namaki, M., Shadfar, S., & Arabkhedri, M. (2006). Investigating some of the factors affecting the destruction of water and soil resources and its socio-economic consequences in the country. 3rd Erosion and Sediment National Conference.
  17. Saeeidian, H. (2021). A review of some watershed management methods used and future smart methods in Iran and the world. Water conservation and efficiency, 2(3): 14-52.
  18. Webb, N.P., Stokes, C.J., & Marshall, N.A. (2013). Integrating biophysical and socio-economic evaluations to improve the efficacy of adaptation assessments for agriculture. Global Environmental Change, 23(5), 1164-1177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2013.04.007
Desert Ecosystem Engineering
Volume 13, Issue 44
February 2025
Pages 15-34

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