Geographical Gap Analysis of Agricultural Development Indicators in Lorestan Province

Stability and sustainability of agricultural growth can be factors of social stability and economic growth in society. Agricultural development requires the zoning and capability of each region. Hence, the study of how the development of agriculture in different regions is essential for planning. Using GIS software, TOPSIS model and cluster analysis, this study has analyzed the gap and distance between the counties of Lorestan province in terms of major indicators of agricultural development. The research method was analytical-descriptive. The statistical population is the total number of counties in Lorestan Province. For this purpose, 87 indicators of agricultural development and its related information were extracted from the Statistical Yearbook of 2016 and the General Agricultural Census of 2014 and the field study data. The results of the research show a deep gap, distance and inequality between the counties of the province. So that the final coefficient of the most developed county (Aligudarz) is 85 times more than the undeveloped county (Rumeshkan). Also, the results of cluster analysis indicate that there are four levels of development in the province. The county of Aligudarz is in developed level and the counties of Poldokhtar, Kuhdasht and Rumeshkan are in an undeveloped level, and the province's space indicates inequality and imbalance.