Food security assessment in rural areas: evidence from Iran

Abstract Background Food security is considered a pivotal factor for the sustainable development of communities and focus on this issue in rural areas. More specifically, it paramount importance developing countries. Accordingly, descriptive-analytical study aimed to evaluate status food areas Iran. The main originality present assess strategic future-oriented vision addition evaluation current studied area. Methodology Data were collected using standard questionnaire U.S. Department Agriculture (USDA) researcher-made close-ended questionnaire. validity reliability research instrument confirmed by panel specialists Cronbach’s alpha coefficients, respectively. In addition, data analysis was performed SPSS 24 (to analyze descriptive statistics) Fuzzy Technique Order Preference Similarity Ideal Situation (FTOPSIS). Results According results, 80% villagers suffered from insecurity (25% low situation, 42% moderate 13% severe situation). Evaluation factors affecting demonstrated that economic (standardized weight 0.566), stability 0.559), availability 0.558) most important components insecurity. Moreover, systemic approach, growth migration urban areas, pressure water soil resources, occurrence environmental hazards are significant consequences due excessive use underground cucurbits, which dominant cultivation pattern region, groundwater level has dropped sharply some villages farther city can be alarming exacerbating near future. Conclusion Since low-income villagers, lack job diversity, access adequate reasons insecurity, respect, suggested more attention paid occupations diversity these regions decision-makers policy-makers.