مجله پژوهشهای راهبردی در علوم کشاورزی و منابع طبیعی
سال هشتم شماره 1 (بهار و تابستان 1402)

Applying modern, eco-based and updated technologies has a key role in improving productivity, minimization of losses, as well as optimization of agricultural value chain management. Introduction of modern technologies, including IT, IoT, Artificial Intelligence, social networks, virtual education, and cloud computing facilitate science and information partitioning. The main constraints for introduction and application of these technologies in agriculture and natural resources sector in Iran include economic (high investment, provision and professional labor cost), infrastructural (lack of suitable platforms, weak interconnectedness between different parts of agricultural sector chain) and socio-cultural (low education, traditional and subsistence structure of agriculture in Iran and farmers lifestyle) factors. Results of present study shows that determining farmers and other stakeholders’ challenges for applying modern technologies, developing pilot farms and providing necessary structures are main strategies to promote and indigenize these technologies in agriculture and natural resources sector in Iran.

With the advancement of human knowledge and the emergence of a new technology called the Internet of Things, a great revolution has occurred in all fields. The agricultural industry did not stay away from this phenomenon and new technologies emerged in this field as techno-agriculture. Horticultural science as one of the sub-sectors of the agricultural sector has also been greatly affected by the advancement of technology. The most important new technologies that have been effective in the horticulture industry are the development of sensors, robots and drones, new post-harvest and packaging technologies, biotechnology and breeding, nuclear energy, nanotechnology, vertical flower-growing technology and anti-hail systems. In this article, after the description of these technologies, their pathology as well as the status of new technologies in the horticulture industry of Iran will be discussed, and finally, suggestions for the extension of new technologies in the horticulture industry will be presented.

In line with the implementation of policies to increase the production and growth of non-petroleum exports, tree fruit production can be developed as substitute due to their wide potential and public acceptance. In order to produce high quality fruit and high yield in the orchards, it is necessary to modify the old orchards, establish new orchards with superior cultivars, and use new horticultural technologies. Most of the breeding strategies are based on genetic diversity, selection, evaluation and hybridization. Induction of mutation using nuclear methods, including ionizing radiation, along with other traditional methods, can be used as an effective and quick solution to solve many horticultural problems. Considering the capabilities of the country in the field of peaceful applications of nuclear technology, as well as the emphasis on providing the country's needs, the use of modern nuclear technologies is necessary. This can cause the scientific, practical and technological development of the country in the field of fruit tree breeding, pests control, increasing the storage life of fruits, and as a result, increasing the export of horticultural products. Using nuclear techniques can be effective to reduce the difficulties of this industry. Also, the use of nuclear technologies in the direction of plant breeding in line with climate change and global warming is one of the indicators of progress in the field of agriculture in the world. This article has an overview of the challenges of Iran's fruit growing industry and suggests solutions to address these challenges using nuclear technology.

Principlal patterns of exploitation in complex socio-ecological rangeland systems and the development of patterns of public participation are regarded as a foundation for the sustainable rangeland management (SRM), which ultimately leads to the synergy of local communities to protect the natural resources. In order to better understand these complex socio-ecological systems, meet complex global challenges and achieve SRM, it is necessary to develop and assess practical and operational frameworks of participatory management. Considering the lack of information and knowledge gap, the present study provides a new and comprehensive framework in the context of participatory rangeland management. This study, while presenting the analytical framework of rangeland users' participation, and its assessment in Ghelangan rangeland of Shahrekord, provided a conceptual model based on the case study. In this regard, 30 local experts were selected through targeted non-probability sampling, while interviewing them, a structured questionnaire with a Likert scale was used to collect the data and information. The main criteria investigated included education, participation, mobilization, and livelihood capital, with related sub-criteria. In this study, the average of each sub-criterion was presented in the final model. The results of each partial measurement were examined in separate studies. As a final conclusion, we emphasize the necessity of development of new conceptual frameworks for better participation of rangeland users and ensuring SRM.

Sustainable rangeland management (SRM) depends on paying attention to all effective components and recognizing all stakeholders. Although, government support and the interest and initiative of rangeland users and ultimately the attention of other stakeholders in related areas can ensure the success of rangeland management, the efforts of opponents and serious protests can result in failure of rangeland management. Indeed, the success of rangeland management requires the integration of actions with the acceptance, involvement and active participation of all stakeholders. This study was carried out in a descriptive-analytical way using library data and document review, observations, field interviews and completing a questionnaire in order to provide a framework for stakeholder analysis in Ghalangan rangeland of Shahrekord of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province. In order to achieve the goal, first the stakeholders were identified and separated. Then, the role and responsibility of each group of stakeholders was determined and defined. After that, the matrix and diagram of the beneficiaries were drawn. Finally, existing interactions and conflicts and solutions were extracted from field studies and the views of all stakeholders were considered. The findings showed that stakeholder analysis and its matrix mapping correctly identify the position of different stakeholders and is effective in resolving disputes, reducing conflicts and ultimately achieve an integrated rangeland management. This study suggests acknowledging the importance of public participation and attention to all stakeholders to provide a model and analytical framework that include other effective elements in addition to stakeholders.

Protection of forests, rangelands and other natural ecosystems in Iran is facing challenges and currently the natural areas of the country are not in favorable conditions. Some of the problems and mega global challenges that affect various natural areas in the world. This group of challenges include climate change, desertification, land degradation, global warming, deficiency of fresh water and increasing demand for energy. The second group of challenges that are specific to Iran at the national level and have affected the natural environments include lakes drying up, land subsidence, salinity and alkalinity of underground water, desertification and consequently the particulate matter air pollution. Also, the breakdown of the natural hydrology systems of the watersheds and changes in the usage of the natural areas are two man-made super challenges affecting the natural environments of Iran. In this article, the major challenges related to Iran's natural areas and the relevant national and regional challenges at the level of natural ecosystems are discussed. Finally, in order to deal with the challenges raised, the necessary solutions to protect and support Iran's natural areas as better as possible are presented. This includes paying attention to these challenges as one of the basic requirements for applying and implementing ecosystem-based management in the natural areas.