Food producers without food: Exploring food insecurity among smallholder farmers in western Iran

Smallholder farming households (SFHs) form the backbone of food production in many developing countries but paradoxically face high levels of food and nutrition insecurity. This paradox is especially severe in agroecologically fragile regions such as western Iran, where policy-driven monoculture and environmental degradation intersect with socio-economic vulnerabilities. This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study assessed Food Security and Nutrition (FSN) status among SFHs in western Iran using the USDA Household Food Security Survey Module and a structured dietary intake questionnaire. Data were collected from 639 households across 36 villages from two districts over a seven-month period (June 2023– January 2024). Results showed that 60.5% of SFHs experienced some level of food insecurity— 30.1% mild, 18.7% moderate, and 11.7% severe. Alarmingly, over 90% of severely food-insecure households consumed no fruits or vegetables and only 32% reported weekly dairy consumption. Logistic regression analysis identified land ownership (OR = 0.72), education level (OR = 0.31), and engagement in diversified farming (e.g., horticulture and integrated systems) as significant protective factors against food insecurity. The findings highlight a structural disconnect between agricultural livelihoods and FSN, driven by environmental degradation, monocropping policies, and declining livestock ownership. The study underscores the urgent need for agroecologically diversified and socially supportive farming strategies— such as equitable land tenure reforms, targeted support for integrated farming systems, and localized extension services— to strengthen household food security, contribute to Sustainable Development Goals 2 (Zero Hunger) and 3 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and build rural resilience in western Iran. Our results provide critical evidence for policymakers to design interventions that integrate environmental sustainability with food security objectives.