The effect of aquaculture on the social status of villages in Lorestan province

This research was conducted with the aim of investigating the impact of aquaculture on the social development of villages in Lorestan province by using survey research. This research is of descriptive-correlation type, and 218 selected breeders and 30 fisheries experts were investigated using random sampling method. In this study, information was collected through a questionnaire that was provided to the selected sample, and its validity and reliability were also confirmed. Bartlett's and KMO's tests were used to confirm the adequacy of the sampling of the statistical population, and Kolmogorov-Smirnov's test was used to check the normality of the data. The results of data analysis through statistical tests using spss software showed that aquaculture has a positive and significant effect on all indicators measuring the social status of villages in Lorestan province so these indicators have improved compared to before aquaculture. The results of the consensus analysis showed that both groups of aqua culturists and experts agree on the improvement of the social situation of aqua culturists after the start of aquaculture. Also, the results of the prioritization of social components in aquaculture showed that the component of "increasing cordial relations with neighbors" is in the first place, and "increasing quarrels and differences between villagers over water issues" is the last social component affected by aquaculture. The ranking results of the communication channels for obtaining information about aquaculture farmers showed that "referring to people with experience in aquaculture who have more technical information" is the most important source of information and "referring experts to farms" is the least important source of information for aquaculture farmers.