Assessing the feasibility of establishing agricultural processing industries with an emphasis on economic efficiency and regional capacity(Case study: Central District of Bandar-e Gaz County)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Department of Geography and Rural Planning, Faculty of Geography and Environmental Planning, Sistan and Baluchestan University, Zahedan, Iran.

2 PhD Geography Rural Planning, Sistan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center (AREEO), Zabol, Iran.

Abstract

1. Introduction
According to Article 84 of Iran's Fourth Five-Year Development Plan Law, emphasis has been placed on supporting the expansion of agro-processing and complementary agricultural industries. Therefore, investment in these industries, by creating job opportunities and employing surplus agricultural labor, along with enhancing education and skills, provides a favorable foundation for rural development (Karshenas & Colleagues, 2017). Undoubtedly, establishing agro-processing industries in the rural districts:

To what extent do the capacities and potentials of the agricultural sector in the central rural districts of Bandar-e-Gaz enable the establishment of agro-processing industries?
What is the impact of agro-processing industries on economic efficiency, including income, employment, and labor productivity in the region?
Based on regional capacities, which villages in the central rural districts of Bandar-e-Gaz should be prioritized for establishing agro-processing industries?

 

Methodology

This applied research follows a descriptive-analytical approach, aiming to assess the agricultural potentials of the Eastern and Western Anzan rural districts of Bandar-e-Gaz County, and the feasibility of establishing agro-processing industries and their economic effects, particularly on employment and rural income. Data were collected through both library and field methods. In the field section, a researcher-made questionnaire, expert interviews, and direct observation were used for data collection.
 

Findings

According to the results, the villages of East Gaz (C_i^ = 0.71), West Gaz (C_i^ = 0.68), and Karkandeh (C_i^ = 0.32) exhibited the highest C_i^ index values, indicating their strong suitability for agro-processing industry investment and development. These scores reflect significant agricultural capacity, robust infrastructure, and notable economic potential. Conversely, villages like Ebrahimabad (C_i^ = 0.10) and Kuh Sahara (C_i^ = 0.15) showed lower C_i^ values, suggesting limited feasibility for indu.
 

Discussion and Conclusion

The study's findings indicate that despite abundant natural resources, a capable labor force, and favorable climate conditions, the region's agricultural sector has yet to realize its full potential in driving regional development due to structural challenges and performance inefficiencies. The targeted establishment of agro-processing industries can serve as an effective tool for enhancing productivity, creating sustainable employment, reducing product waste, and ultimately improving rural livelihoods.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

Amiri, H., Pour-Ebrahim, Sh., & Danekar, A. (2021). Spatial zoning and prioritization of tomato processing industry development in Shiraz, Marvdasht, and Kazerun counties using the integrated VIKOR-ENTROPY model. Environmental Science and Technology, 23(9), 139–149. [In Persian]
Anwar-Ul-Alam, M., Iqbal, A., Hosseini, A. F., & Rizvi, S. S. H. (2024). Techno-economic feasibility and environmental sustainability of producing nutritionally enhanced snack foods from agro-food byproducts using supercritical CO2-based extrusion. Food and Bioproducts Processing, 143, 232–241. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbp.2023.12.002
Bahari, I., Nouri, S. H., Taghdissi, A., & Karimzadeh, H. (2018). Challenges in the development of agricultural processing and complementary industries in Shabestar County. Geography and Regional Development, 6(1), 223–255. [In Persian]
Bani-Asadi, N., Samari, D., Farajollah-Hosseini, S. J., & Omidi-Najafabadi, M. (2023). Identification of factors affecting the development structure of date processing and complementary industries in Kerman Province. Spatial Economics and Rural Development, 12(45), 59–72. https://doi.org/20.1001.1.23222131.1402.0.50.4.0
Behrooz-Saraei, B., Zand, A., & Khosrovani, F. (2022). Strategies for job creation in the agricultural sector and preventing rural youth migration (Case study: Kaboudar-Ahang County, Hamedan). Agricultural Extension and Education Research, 15(3), 19–33. [In Persian]
Chen, X., Huang, Z., Luo, C., & Hu, Z. (2024). Can agricultural industry integration reduce the rural–urban income gap? Evidence from county-level data in China. Land, 13(3), 332. https://doi.org/10.3390/land13030332
Derkhosh, M., Karami-Dehkordi, M., & Liyani, Gh. (2023). Regional priorities for the establishment of agricultural processing and complementary industries in rural districts of Shahr-e Kord County. Spatial Economics and Rural Development, 12(44), 25–44. https://doi.org/20.1001.1.23222131.1402.12.44.1.1
FAO. (2023). The state of food and agriculture 2023: Revealing the true cost of food to transform agrifood systems. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. https://doi.org/10.4060/cc4796en
Ghanbari, A., Yadavari, H., & Kazemiyeh, F. (2022). Modeling barriers to the development of agricultural processing and complementary industries in Tabriz County. Food Research, 32(4), 167–181. [In Persian] https://doi.org/10.22034/fr.2022.50007.1822
Ghanbari, S., Mohammadi, H., & Mirki-Anari, H. (2017). Locating agricultural processing and complementary industries in Khanmirza District, Lordegan County. Spatial Economics and Rural Development, 6(22), 177–194. [In Persian]
Khowa, T., & Mukasi, T. J. (2021). Agro-processing as a tool for poverty alleviation strategy: A case of Raymond Mhlaba Municipality. Africa’s Public Service Delivery & Performance Review, 9(1), 7.
Nguyen-Thi-Thuy, et al. (2024). Unleashing the association between technical efficiency of agro-processing industry and economic growth: A pathway towards development sustainability. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-024-00248-9
Norani-Azad, S., Bahraminia, E., & Izadi, H. (2023). Cost-saving evaluation in agricultural processing industries: Emphasis on labor experience and learning-by-doing approaches. Iranian Journal of Agricultural Economics (IAES), 17(2), 105–130. [In Persian] https://doi.org/10.22034/iaes.2023.1975755.1961
Plan and Budget Organization of Iran. (2021). The seventh economic, social, and cultural development plan of the Islamic Republic of Iran. [In Persian]
Ravaqi, M., Behbahani, L., & Yaghoubi, V. (2023). Driving and inhibiting factors in the creation and development of agricultural processing industries in Khuzestan Province. Agricultural Economics and Development, 31(1), 73–104. [In Persian] https://doi.org/10.30490/aead.2023.358601.1436
Rizwanul, I. (2020). Rural industrialization: An engine of prosperity in post-reform rural China. World Development, 22(11), 1643–1662.
Savari, M. (2020). Developing a strategic SWOT model for the date processing and complementary industries in Khuzestan Province. Agricultural Economics and Development, 34(4), 463–481. https://doi.org/10.22067/jead.2021.17808.0
Shokoohi, Z., Zolnouri, S., & Sheikh-Zeinoddin, A. (2021). Strategies for developing processing and complementary industries of horticultural products in Fars Province, Iran. Strategic Research in Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, 6(1), 1–16. [In Persian] https://doi.org/10.22047/srjasnr.2021.129126
Yadavari, H., Ghanbari, A., & Kazemiyeh, F. (2022). Identifying key drivers influencing the development of agricultural processing and complementary industries in Tabriz County. Sustainable Agriculture and Production Science, 32(4), 303–316. [In Persian] https://doi.org/10.22034/saps.2022.49071.2771
Yu, L., Jia, N., & Li, M. (2025). Lessons of eco-transition of a rural small town: The case of Manzhuang China from raw material processing industries to a circular economy. Resources Policy, 101, 105484. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resourpol.2025.105484
Zahedian-Tejnaki, R., Mojaverian, S. M., & Hosseini-Yekani, S. A. (2024). The role of locational advantages in utilizing agribusiness capacities: A case study of agricultural processing industries in Mazandaran Province. Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Agricultural Development Studies, 11(3), 43–60. [In Persian] https://doi.org/10.22069/jead.2024.22244.1812
Village and Space Sustainable Development
Volume 6, Issue 4 - Serial Number 24
December 2025
Pages 95-112

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 22 May 2025
  • Revise Date: 03 July 2025
  • Accept Date: 16 October 2025

Share

How to cite

Statistics