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Copyright of Journal of Rural Research is the property of Negah Institute for Social Research & Scientific Communication and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Since encouraging villagers to engage in businesses based on natural ecosystems in an entrepreneurial manner is the most appropriate strategy to address economic and social challenges in rural areas, the purpose of this research is to prioritize sustainable business plans that align with the development of rural entrepreneurship, emphasizing pasture ecosystem services. For this purpose, in the present study, 393 rangeland users were selected from four villages (Zoo Olia, Keshanak, Darkash, and Chakhmaghaloo) in Maneh and Samalghan cities. First, the economic valuation of four main rangeland functions (fodder production, honey production, medicinal plant production, and tourism) was conducted using a questionnaire and a random sampling method. Subsequently, the potential for income generation from each of these functions was assessed. In the next step, the costs associated with each of these businesses were collected using survey information. Following this, the financial evaluation of the business plans was performed using financial indicators, including NPV, B/C ratio, ROI, and IRR. The results indicated that three businesses (animal husbandry, beekeeping, and establishing eco-tourism accommodations) are economically viable, while the business of packaging and processing medicinal plants lacks economic justification. The market for these businesses was analyzed by examining the supply and demand gap in the study area; the results showed that all four proposed businesses have a supply and demand gap and a viable market. Prioritization of these four businesses was conducted using indicators from previous stages of the research (economic value of each rangeland function, income absorption potential, costs and incomes, and financial and economic evaluation indicators) by scoring each indicator. The results showed that in order of priority: 1) establishment of eco-tourism accommodations, 2) animal husbandry (sheep breeding), 3) beekeeping, and 4) medicinal plant processing have the first to fourth priorities for empowering beneficiaries in the target villages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: The role of sustainable development in society is widely acknowledged, emphasizing the importance of proper investment, particularly in social capital, which thrives on trust and collaboration. This study employs social network analysis to assess the impact of an empowerment project on local communities in Ghaleganj County, analyzing social effectiveness before and after project implementation. Methodology: The study utilizes social network analysis to assess the performance of the local community empowerment project in Ghaleganj County. Social network positions were analyzed before the establishment of rural microcredit funds and after the project's implementation. Key social network indicators such as Density, Reciprocity, Transitivity, and Geodesic Distance were examined. Data was collected through a structured questionnaire administered to 164 members of local microcredit funds in Azadshahr, Aliabad, and Zirabad villages, employing a full network method. Results: The density index increased in all studied villages for both trust and collaboration ties after the empowerment project, with the highest density observed in Zirabad village (95.08%). Reciprocity index also increased post-project implementation, indicating enhanced bilateral and mutual relations in trust and collaboration bonds, leading to increased social capital and participation in rural development funds. The study revealed a medium level of social capital before the project, which increased significantly with the establishment of microcredit funds. Conclusion: The study concludes that increased social capital enhances adherence to norms, fosters a sense of belonging, and encourages responsibility among villagers. The formation of a microcredit fund and associated social structures in the village have positively impacted trust, collaboration, and empowerment. Membership in a social network enhances communication, influences trust in knowledge sources, and ultimately contributes to the empowerment of villagers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Iranian Journal of Agricultural Economics & Development Research (IJAEDR) is the property of University of Tehran and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)