Exploring Attitudes towards Land Consolidation Impacts in Kermanshah Province: An Application of Q- Methodology

Land fragmentation, as one of the structural elements of traditional agriculture, has become a major obstacle for agricultural development. Consolidation is a logical strategy for reducing the negative impacts of land fragmentation. Implementing land consolidation has some associated impacts. The main purpose of this study was to describe how farmers perceive the impacts of land consolidation by using Q-methodology. By purposeful sampling, 31 farmers were selected to participate in research. Participants were asked to rank 36 statements that were considered as the main impacts of land consolidation. Findings showed, farmers have different attitudes towards the impacts of land consolidation. In other words, they evaluate these impacts in different ways. Fifty-three percent of farmers had a positive attitude toward land consolidation, but 22 percent believed that this project has negative impacts on environment. According to farmers’ belief, the most important problem of land consolidation is the lack of their participation in planning stage. Q methodology revealed that three different attitudes toward the impacts of land consolidation including environmentalists, economists, and socialists.