analysis of challenges and barriers to promoting climate-smart agriculture in rural areas of the sistan plain: a qualitative approach

Purpose – this study examines the barriers to promoting climate-smart agriculture (csa) in rural areas of the sistan plain. using a qualitative approach and focus group discussions, data were collected from farmers and local experts (54 participants). the discussions were analyzed through inductive content analysis, coding, and classification systems.findings – the results reveal that barriers to csa promotion fall into seven main categories: financial, institutional, technical and infrastructural, knowledge gaps, demographic, environmental, and market challenges. key challenges include high initial costs, weak policies and institutional support, lack of practical knowledge and training, and adverse climatic conditions. practical recommendations involve conducting specialized training, establishing pilot projects, and strengthening communication infrastructure. from a policy perspective, developing national strategies, providing financial incentives and credit facilities, and fostering collaboration across various sectors are crucial. this study offers comprehensive and integrated solutions to assist policymakers and agricultural practitioners in achieving sustainable development and strengthening csa resilience.practical implications – this study proposes several practical solutions to address the identified challenges, including organizing specialized and operational training programs for farmers and experts, implementing pilot projects to demonstrate csa effectiveness and benefits, developing communication and technical infrastructure such as high-speed internet access and advanced equipment, formulating national policies to provide financial and institutional support for csa, and fostering collaboration among governmental, private, and local community sectors.originality/value – this research is one of the first comprehensive studies analyzing barriers to csa promotion in iran. given the unique conditions of the sistan plain, the findings can serve as a model for other underprivileged regions in iran and similar countries. the practical solutions and effective policy recommendations presented here mark a significant step toward sustainable development and greater agricultural resilience to climate change.