Investigating the Contexts, Causes, and Consequences of Underdevelopment in Kurdistan Province (A grounded theory in the field of agriculture)

This research aims to investigate the underdeveloped areas in the agricultural sector of Kurdistan province, employing the theoretical frameworks of economic-social underdevelopment, local development, and grounded theory. The primary objective is to propose solutions to activate key sectors of the province's development and overcome existing obstacles. The research methodology utilizes grounded theory, with data gathered through semi-structured interviews conducted with experts, elites, activists, and officials in the agricultural sector of Kurdistan province. Thematic analysis is employed to analyze the collected data. The findings reveal that Kurdistan province is characterized by underdevelopment in the agricultural domain, and the main achievement of this research is the development of a paradigmatic model illustrating the underdevelopment of agriculture in the province. According to this model, the underdevelopment of agriculture in Kurdistan province can be attributed to the interplay between traditional livelihood activities and modern practices, as well as the neglect of agricultural capacities in the province and a lack of coordination among development organizations. Factors contributing to underdevelopment in the agricultural sector include inheritance laws, land fragmentation, and traditional agricultural systems. Additionally, inadequate continuous training, limited access to training and promotional workshops, insufficient financial capacity of the private and public sectors for investment in the agricultural domain, stringent loan conditions, and a lack of participation and investment culture in the industrial sector, particularly in agricultural and processing industries, act as significant intervening factors in the underdevelopment process. The consequences of this situation encompass the neglect of agricultural product processing and branding industries in the province, the absence of a driving force for the sector's development, and the marginalization of agricultural capacities in the province's overall development process. To address these issues, the study recommends the adoption of substantive development policies and programs, focusing on enhancing production efficiency and diversifying agricultural products and activities.