Local rice cultivar diversity and household food security in northern Iran

The world’s population is constantly increasing and is expected to reach 8 billion by 2030. After wheat, rice is the second major crop in terms of acreage and food security. The major crop in the north of Iran is rice. The study of diversity in rice cultivars is an excellent predictor of food security. Rice monoculture is one of the major challenges to achieving basic self-sufficiency in ensuring sustainable food security in the country. The current study evaluated the relationship between rice cultivar diversity and food security in response to this challenge. In this study, 10 villages and 106 farms were randomly surveyed with interviews, direct observations, and focal group discussion. Logistic regression analysis showed the relationship between mean species richness, cultivar richness, and Shannon–Wiener index of rice and food security is positive and significant. From regression graphs, we can conclude that crop diversity indices, i.e., the Simpson index, have a negative relationship and average species richness, cultivar diversity index, and the Shannon–Wiener index have a positive relationship with food security. Therefore, we suggest focusing on formulating adaptation strategies and major training in the diversity of local rice cultivars to improve food security.