Social Management of Rural Areas and Poverty Alleviation in Iran: A Case Study of the Villages of Hosseinabad Ghinab Region of Sarbisheh County

Although poverty reduction is one of the most important objectives of the most economic adjustment programs, studies showed a gradual rise in rural poverty due to inappropriate methods of study and implementation in most programs, such that most of the pre determined objectives have not been achieved. The main question is whether poverty in rural areas can be alleviated by changing the method of study and implementation of these programs? In most cases, these programs have been implemented with minimum participation from people, and only limited to influential groups in rural areas. The present study used Stages of Progress Approach in Hosseinabad region, and identified the importance and position of the social and development programs in providing for the livelihood of the poor. It also examined the management and intervention methods in such areas. The results indicated a significant reduction of poverty rates following the implementation of programs that were prepared with reasonable methods based on the views and requests of the local people, a reduction that its realization was due to the diversification of the methods of livelihood provision. Also, this study indicated that in addition to income provision, the provision of welfare and hygienic facilities should be considered.