The Feasibility Study of Creating a Cluster of Olive Processing Businesses in Kermanshah Province

Climatic diversity, soil and water richness, the land potential for growing horticultural products, and the economic value of horticultural products have turned Kermanshah province into one of the areas prone to producing horticultural products. The cultivation and processing of olives in the hot regions of the province is not an exception. In this regard, the identification and development of agricultural clusters (orchards) are one of the solutions adopted in developed countries for agricultural development. The purpose of this research was to study the feasibility of a cluster of olive processing businesses in Kermanshah province. The research was based on a mixed-methods Design (sequential-explanatory) that used a survey method, a document study, and a few case studies. The research population was composed of gardening and processing experts in the Agriculture Jihad Organization, experts of industrial township companies, processors of garden products, and gardeners who were sampled by the snowball technique. The sampling continued until theoretical saturation. The research investigated the feasibility of creating an olive processing cluster in the study site by considering the characteristics of the cluster feasibility study, including geographic focus, cooperation and competition between businesses, and shared advantages and challenges. The results showed that the geographical concentration of olive processing was in Dallaho County. Also, the results revealed that the olive processing businesses had competition and cooperation with each other and had common challenges and advantages. The results can be used by the Industrial Township Company Office and the Ministry of Agriculture.