Strategies to improve farmers' resilience to drought from the Perspective of Experts: A Study in Miandoab County

The changes in the ecosystem of Lake Urmia are one of the important changes in the country's water resources therefore, This qualitative research was conducted with the aim of identifying strategies to improve the resilience of farmers in the catchment area of Lake Urmia to adapt to drought. The study population was experts from related organizations (Jihad-e-Keshavarzi, Natural Resources and Lake Urmia Crisis Headquarters) and sampling was performed using purposeful sampling method and snowball technique. Data were collected through 12 focus group discussions and analyzed using open and axial coding methods. The results showed that the strategies for improving resilience, according to experts, include compatible climate water management, compatible climate soil management, compatible climate agriculture management, compatible climate information management, compatible climate livelihood management and adaptive climate community management and also, experts have the most consensus on compatible climate livelihood management, which shows that the most effective solution is to improve the resilience of farmers. The results of this study can be effective in strengthening the farmers' resilience to drought and reducing the psychological and social damage caused by it. will also improve farmers' adaptability to the drought crisis and make better use of these water resources, and will help farmers consider different management practices to deal with a variety of hazards.