Rural Development Interventions and Their Sustainability: Case of Iran

The importance of the rural and agricultural sectors as well as the necessity to achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs) led policy-makers, decision-makers, and executives to develop and implement various interventions for the development of these sectors. However, studies and evaluations show that these interventions have not always succeeded to contribute to sustainable development in rural and agricultural areas, but in many cases also have negative/adverse impacts on rural communities. Therefore, the main purpose of this chapter is to provide a framework for rural and agricultural development interventions in Iran. In general, review of the literature showed that there are five main factors for each of the drivers and barriers of sustainability of rural development interventions in Iran. The drivers of sustainability of rural development interventions in Iran were classified into five factors: economic, social, environmental, infrastructural, and technical-managerial. Also, the main limiting factors of rural development interventions in Iran were classified into “economic,” “social,” “infrastructural,” “environmental,” and “management and policy” barriers. In addition, two exit strategies do exist for ensuring sustainability of rural and agricultural development projects in Iran: (1) transferring the full responsibility of program activities to other organizations, entities, community groups, or individuals and (2) gradual reduction of program inputs or resources.