SWOT-FAHP-TOWS analysis for adaptation strategies development among small-scale farmers in drought conditions

The small-scale farmers in Iran and around the world have experienced the highest level of drought vulnerability among all social groups in recent years. As very little research has been carried out on two areas, including (i) statistics and information on the status of adaptation, and (ii) the appropriate adaptation strategies for small-scale farmers under drought conditions, this paucity has increased their vulnerability level. Therefore, this study was conducted to address this gap in two steps. First, farmers' adaptation was calculated using 35 indicators in the form of a sustainable livelihood model. Second, the combined model SWOT-FAHP-TOWS was used to develop 12 appropriate strategies to increase farmers' adaptation to drought. In this study, two groups of small-scale farmers and agricultural experts in northwestern Iran were included in the statistical population. The results revealed that the studied farmers do not have high adaptation because more than 75% of them showed low and moderate adaptation to drought. Furthermore, according to our findings, the two strategies “supporting the development and establishment of microcredit organizations and funds using the spirit of empathy and rich culture of farmers to diversify their livelihoods” and “organizing consultative meetings between experts and farmers to combine indigenous and modern knowledge for increasing the effectiveness of drought mitigation programs” are the most effective approaches to deal with drought. Overall, the results of this study can be helpful for policymakers and planners to sustain farmers' livelihood under drought conditions.