Study of Factors Influencing on Rural Participation in Desertification Projects (Case Study: Mohammad Shahkaram area in the town of Zahak)

Community participation in desertification projects lowers costs and makes projects more effective. Through strategic policies for the restoration, conservation and sustainability of natural resources, the government is implementing programs, and individual, cultural, social and economic factors play an effective role in increasing the participation of villagers in desertification projects. The objective of this study was to study and prioritise factors affecting the participation of villagers in Mohammad Shahkaram area of Zahak city, where desertification projects have been implemented in its northern zone. Data collection tool is a questionnaire. According to Cochran's formula, the number of samples required was 358 questionnaires and for questionnaire reliability, 30 questionnaires for the sample were tested in advance. The analysis of the data was based on descriptive statistics and inferential analysis. Results of the AHP method and multivariate regression analysis showed that the independent entered variables can predict 57% of the variables related to the village participation rs in desertification projects. Among the variables studied, age and work experience of individual factors with a Pearson coefficient of 0.216 and local responsibility from social factors have the highest correlation with participation rate.  Maintaining desertification projects in the region puts in the first rank, and sociocultural index factors have a higher priority than variables dependent on participation in desertification projects than economic index and planning.