Assessing the Social Vulnerability of Farmers towards Drought: The Case of Kermanshah, Javanrood, and Giulan-e-Gharb Counties

Drought is one of the most important natural threats and disasters that has a significant impact on ecosystems, people's livelihoods, and the economic and social development of the countries. Farmers' vulnerability to drought can vary with respect to the location of living and the type of agricultural products. Therefore, most vulnerable areas should be identified to be able to better management of the drought phenomenon and mitigation of farmers' vulnerability. However, less attention has been paid to the social dimensions of farmers' vulnerability in the previous literature. Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to assess social vulnerability towards drought across three counties of Kermanshah Province where in the intensity of drought is extremely high, moderate, and light. The sample size was determined based on Krejcie and Morgan (n= 375) and multi-stage stratified sampling was performed to select the individual samples. The formula proposed by May Bar and Valdes was applied to assess the social vulnerability of farmers. According to the results, it can be mentioned that the indices crop diversity, participation, stress, nutritional status, irrigation system method, warning system, and knowledge of drought response measures had the greatest impacts on the social vulnerability of farmers. In addition, farmers of Giulan-e-Gharb experienced the greatest social vulnerability.