Vulnerability and Resilience of Rural Livelihoods under Climate Change in Sistan and Baluchestan, Iran

Purpose: This study examines the effects of climate change on the sustainability of rural livelihoods in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Iran, with particular attention to the vulnerability of agricultural production and food security under changing climatic conditions. Design/Methodology/Approach: An integrated analytical approach was applied using climatic, agricultural, and socio-economic data. Trends in temperature, precipitation, crop yields, and natural resource availability were evaluated. In addition, survey data were collected from local farmers to assess perceived impacts of climate variability on livelihood conditions. Findings: The results indicate that rising temperatures and declining precipitation have significantly reduced agricultural productivity in the region. Although the cultivated area of cereal crops increased by about twenty-five percent, yields declined due to insufficient rainfall and increased evapotranspiration. In contrast, cucurbit crops such as watermelon and melon showed relatively improved performance due to higher rainfall during the past seventeen years. Furthermore, depletion of water resources in the Helmand River basin, reduction of inflow to Lake Hamun, and intensification of wind erosion have increased environmental pressure on agricultural systems. Survey results reveal that a large proportion of farmers experienced moderate to severe impacts from drought, resulting in reduced agricultural income and increased migration from rural areas. Research limitations/implications: The study focuses on a single province, which may limit the generalization of the findings to other regions. Future studies should include multi-regional analyses and long-term socio-economic assessments to support climate adaptation planning. Practical implications: The findings highlight the need for improved water resource management, adoption of modern agricultural practices, and implementation of targeted climate adaptation programs to strengthen rural livelihood resilience. Originality/value: This research provides an integrated assessment of climate change impacts on rural livelihoods in an arid and socio-economically vulnerable region by combining environmental and socio-economic perspectives.

کلیدواژه ها:

Adaptation Strategies ، Climate change ، drought ، Resilience ، Rural livelihoods ، Sistan and Baluchestan Province ، Iran