Investigation of the consequences of saffron cultivation in reverse migration of villagers (Case study: Villages of Rashtkhar rural district)

The return of rural migrants from the city to the countryside, like other migrations, has not been accidental, but the causes and motives have caused these migrants to return from the city to the countryside. In this regard, saffron, as one of the most important agricultural products of Khorasan Razavi province, plays a very important role in the return of migrants to city. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of saffron cultivation on reverse migration in rural areas of Rashtkhar. This research has been done by descriptive-analytical method. In this regard, the consequences of the role of saffron in 355 sample households (including 76 reverse migrant households) in 26 villages of this rural district were studied. For this purpose, first, in addition to documentary studies and initial field visits, a wide range of indicators were determined in accordance with the conditions of the studied villages. Then, data collection was done based on selected indicators and using village and household questionnaires. Statistical and spatial analysis and Expert choice, TOPSIS, SPSS and ArcGIS software were used for data analysis. Findings indicate that increasing the area under saffron cultivation and thus increasing its production, with a 99% confidence level helps the rate of return of migrants in the study area. Other findings of the study confirm that among the factors influencing the reverse migration of households, the economic factor (creating extra income of saffron with priority index of 0.971, stability of saffron income with priority index of 0.902, ability to save with priority index of 879 / 0), has a greater role in the return of households to the countryside and the return of immigrants has been able to create opportunities such as increasing employment levels, income stability through saffron cultivation and improving living standards for exemplary households.