Background and Objective: Pastoralism, as a fundamental pillar of livelihood particularly among nomadic and rural communities plays a vital role in ensuring economic stability and nutritional security. This livelihood largely depends on rangelands and their forage resources. However, issues related to generational sequence and employment remain significant challenges that threaten the long-term sustainability of this industry. The purpose of this study is to investigate the causes of generational transition and to assess the job satisfaction of pastoralists. The goal is to identify effective solutions that can support the continuation of pastoral activities, preserve this valuable industry, and contribute to sustainable development.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in Khaf County, Razavi Khorasan Province, Iran. To achieve the research objectives, a researcher-designed questionnaire was used. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by experts in the field, and its reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, yielding a coefficient of 0.80. In the second stage, cluster sampling was employed to distribute the questionnaires. Nine scattered rangeland units were selected from a total of 52, and questionnaires were randomly completed by members of these units. The required sample size was determined using Cochran’s formula, resulting in 52 respondents. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27, applying descriptive statistical tests including frequency and percentage.
Results: Findings indicated that most pastoralists in the region have elementary-level education (21.6%) and that a significant proportion (43.1%) have 30 to 40 years of experience in pastoralism. The profession was found to be inherited from parents in 100% of cases. The interest of pastoralists' children in continuing the profession ranged from moderate to high; 29.4% of respondents perceived their children's interest as moderate, while 54.9% regarded it as high. Respondents evaluated the educational and extension programs offered by relevant organizations as generally weak. However, pastoralists showed a strong willingness to pass on their experiences. Job satisfaction indicators suggested that overall satisfaction in Khaf is moderate. A total of 45.1% of the respondents expressed a positive outlook toward pastoralism, and the same percentage were satisfied with the social status of the profession. The results indicate a positive and significant relationship between the heritability of livestock farming and the desire to pass on experiences to the younger generation (correlation coefficient = 0.433). This suggests that the greater the heritability of livestock farming, the stronger the inclination to transfer knowledge. Additionally, a positive societal attitude towards livestock farming significantly influences farmers’ willingness to share their experiences (correlation coefficient = 0.507). Overall, both heritability and societal perceptions play crucial roles in promoting the continued transfer of knowledge in the field of livestock farming.
Conclusion: Overall, although the interest of the younger generation in continuing pastoralism is moderate to high, the lack of adequate facilities and economic challenges are key factors hindering continuity in the profession. Therefore, planning by relevant institutions should focus on providing basic welfare infrastructure and improving job and income security for this group. Organizing training and extension programs for youth and encouraging young people to pursue pastoralism could serve as an additional strategy to enhance generational continuity.