Analysis of institutional governance for the development of climate-smart agriculture in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Iran

The present study aimed to analyze the role of institutional governance in developing climate-smart agriculture (CSA) in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Iran. Given the intensification of challenges caused by climate change and weaknesses in institutional coordination, the successful implementation of CSA policies requires identifying key actors and assessing the quality of their relationships. The research was an applied study conducted using a descriptive-analytical method. Through direct observation and unstructured interviews with experts and key informants (32 individuals), 48 institutions and active associations related to CSA were identified in the province, and their links and interactions were analyzed using social network analysis (SNA). The results indicated that institutional coherence was at a moderate to relatively high level across four networks: agricultural productivity improvement, adaptation to climate change, greenhouse gas mitigation, and CSA. Furthermore, the Agricultural Jihad Organization (AJO), the Governor’s Office (Provincial Government) (GO), the General Directorate of Natural Resources and Watershed Management (NRWM), the Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture (CCIMA), and the General Directorate of Environmental Protection (EP) were identified as the key actors with the highest centrality and social influence. The findings suggest that effective CSA development governance requires strengthening horizontal and vertical connections among governmental, scientific, financial, and civil institutions to prevent duplication and improve synergy in policymaking and the implementation of adaptive programs. By emphasizing institutional analysis, this research provides a framework for better understanding climate-based governance networks, which can be applied to other regions with similar conditions.