Unraveling the challenges of knowledge and technology adoption within Iranian greenhouse farming

Controlled-environment greenhouse farming offers a sustainable food production solution, yet in Iran its potential remains underutilized due to limited adoption of advanced knowledge and technologies (KTA). This study integrates the Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS) framework with MICMAC analysis to systematically identify and analyze the structural challenges limiting KTA in Iranian greenhouse farming. Based on expert consensus, the MICMAC analysis distinguishes four variables as independent drivers that strongly influence other barriers while being little affected by them: inadequate policy support, weak knowledge and technology transfer mechanisms, limited public and private R&D capacity, and insufficient access to infrastructure. Among these, weak policy support obtains the highest direct and indirect influence scores, standing above a closely clustered second tier formed by the other three drivers. These four drivers largely shape the constraints related to farmers and markets. The findings challenge interventions that target only downstream symptoms and point instead toward integrated measures that address root causes, directly centered on the four independent drivers. Such measures include policy coordination mechanisms, public‑private R&D partnerships, on‑farm demonstration facilities, and targeted investment in smart infrastructure and logistics. The study provides a system‑level diagnosis and identifies leverage points that can guide the transformation of Iranian greenhouse farming.