Economic Geography Research

Economic Geography Research

Designing a model for developing social insurance for farmers, villagers, and nomads in Iran

Document Type : Articles extracted from Thesis

Authors
1 Assistant Professor of Azad University, Zanjan branch
2 Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, Islamic Azad University, Zanjan Branch
3 PhD student in sociology
Abstract
The present research aimed to design a comprehensive and indigenous model for developing social insurance for farmers, villagers, and nomads in Iran, addressing fundamental challenges such as limited coverage, historical distrust of the target community, insufficient financial incentives, lack of adaptation to provincial climatic-cultural diversity, and weakness in digital infrastructure. This qualitative study employed thematic analysis, with data collected through semi-structured interviews with 83 managers, deputies, experts, and specialists from the Social Insurance Fund for Farmers, Villagers, and Nomads across the country's provinces (using purposive sampling with maximum variation), continuing until theoretical saturation was achieved. Data analysis was conducted using MAXQDA software based on Braun and Clarke's six-stage model, grouping over 1,200 initial codes into 52 basic themes, 26 organizing themes, and six main dimensions (structural, economic, socio-cultural, policy-making, technology and innovation, environmental and sustainability) along with 20 key components with operational sub-components. The proposed model is designed hierarchically-cyclically, highlighting dynamic interactions among dimensions; for example, strengthening structural infrastructure increases social trust, economic financial sustainability enhances participation, and digital innovations enable prediction of climatic risks. This indigenous model complements previous findings, such as emphasis on agent training (Zahedrig), quality of nomadic services (Azizpour et al.), micro-insurance requirements (Omidi-Najafabadi and Payandeh-Najafabadi), and structural barriers (Varmazyari and Moradi), while introducing innovations through technology and environmental dimensions. The research conclusion emphasizes the necessity of phased model implementation to achieve over 80% coverage, a 30% reduction in rural migration, realization of distributive justice, and sustainable development, offering policy recommendations such as a national five-year program, targeted subsidies, cultural campaigns, and data-driven monitoring to transform social insurance into an effective tool for national security, inequality reduction, and preservation of productive rural population.
Keywords


Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 16 July 2026

  • Receive Date 18 December 2025
  • Revise Date 02 January 2026
  • Accept Date 16 July 2026