Causal analysis of factors influencing pasture management (Case study: pastures of Kermanshah province)

Rangelands and forest lands are crucial components of natural resources, and their preservation is essential for the survival of human societies. The improper use of land can lead to the devaluation and destruction of these resources, resulting in a decrease in the income of users. Hence, sustainable development and optimal use of natural resources are necessary for future generations. This study aims to develop an optimal utilization model that considers income maximization in rangelands in North Khorasan province.

The study was conducted in Dasht rangelands of Garmeh city in North Khorasan province. The required information was collected through face-to-face interviews with beneficiaries, and several representative beneficiaries were selected based on their available capital. The optimal combination of income sources for each representative was determined using a linear programming model. The planning model used in this study was a linear programming model that considered three decision variables related to the share allocated to each utilization (livestock grazing, apiculture, and medicinal plant breeding). The restrictions included capital, labor, and water. The goal was to maximize the household's net income. The model was solved using LINDO software, and linear programming patterns were implemented for all representative beneficiaries of Dasht rangelands.

The optimal patterns of utilization showed an increase in apiculture activity and a decrease in livestock grazing compared to the current patterns used by the representative beneficiaries. The efficiency of the optimal model increased by a significant percentage compared to the current model for all representative beneficiaries. The results indicated that apiculture activity provided the highest profit for all representative beneficiaries.

The study concluded that optimal utilization of rangelands and its optimization are crucial for income maximization. The results showed that apiculture activity should be considered as a significant income source. The study highlights the importance of sustainable development and optimal use of natural resources without damaging them for future generations.