Analysis of Paddy Farms Sustainability in Rasht Township Using Sustainable Livelihood Approach

This paper aims to analyze sustainability of paddy farms in Rasht Township in the Northern of Iran. For this purpose، Asset sustainability approach was used. Statistical population of this study consisted of all paddy farmers in Rasht township (N=84772) A sample size of 401 farmers was selected and interviewed. Questionnaire included 42 indicators and 13 components for five sustainable livelihood capitals (physical، human، social، financial and natural). The results showed that none of six counties in Rasht township was sustainable level in terms of asset sustainability، but human capital was in better condition in comparison with other capitals. Sangar County had high levels of natural and physical capitals، and level of financial and human capitals were high in Central (Markazi) county and social capital in Khomam county was higher in comparison with other counties.