Utilization of Agricultural Model Based on Indigenous Culture (Permaculture) inthe Development of Rural Tourism Entrepreneurship in Guilan Province

Indigenous culture-based agriculture (permaculture) is a conscious model for employingagricultural production systems in which three characteristics of diversity, sustainability andresilience are considered. This pattern is related to sustainable rural development, diversificationof rural economic activities and increasing revenue sources from it. Due to diversity andgeographical advantages of Guilan province, the occupation of most rural residents isagriculture which due to seasonality of these activities, this style of employment could not be asource of sustainability for rural economy. Therefore, taking advantage of agricultural tourismcapacity along with proper environment management and correct use of resources can be asuitable strategy for rural development and sustainability. This study has been done withextensive review of relevant theoretical and empirical literature and library resources with theaim of introducing agricultural tourism based on local culture of Guilan province and employingit in rural tourism entrepreneurship development. The results show that the use of permaculturepattern which is derived from natural and cultural power of Guilan province, while taking careof the land, taking care of local residents and equitable distribution of income in rural areas, arevery cheap and low cost, simple, understandable and applied by local people.