Factors affecting sustainable development and water resource management in the agricultural sector of Mako free trade and industrial zone
2025
Vahid Valizadeh | Sakineh Jabbarpour | Rostam Aghazadeh Gulaki
<p><strong>Introduction:</strong>This study investigates the factors influencing sustainable development and water resource management within the agricultural sector of the Mako Free Trade and Industrial Zone. The study highlights the critical role of participatory policies grounded in human rights principles and balanced resource management for optimizing water resource sustainability.</p> <p><strong>Methods:</strong> Employing a quantitative, descriptive-survey approach within a pragmatic paradigm, data were collected via a literature review and a validated questionnaire. Participants included experts from agriculture, free trade zone, and natural resource departments, selected through non-probability convenience sampling (n=30). Analysis was performed using SPSS version 29. A Friedman test was used to rank the importance of the factors.</p> <p><strong>Findings:</strong>Analysis revealed significant positive relationships between water resource management and eight key factors: education, economics, innovation in consumption, cross-sectoral management, non-structural measures, political and legal frameworks, participatory approaches, and research. These variables collectively explained 67% of the variance in water resource management. Participatory approaches (mean rank 5.68) were identified as the most influential factor, followed by non-structural management and legal frameworks. These findings offer valuable insights for policymakers and organizations seeking to develop effective programs for sustainable water resource development in similar contexts.</p>
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