Water and Irrigation Management

Water and Irrigation Management

Perception of Farmers Regarding the Economic Value of Water and Its Impact on the Selection of Irrigation Methods: A Case Study of the Central District of Mahneshan CountyAbstract

Document Type : Research Paper

Author
mehdi cheraghi
Department of Geography, Faculty of Humanities, University of zanjan, Zanjan, Iran.
10.22059/jwim.2025.400002.1250
Abstract
Water, as a vital resource for sustainable agriculture, plays a key role, especially in arid regions like the Central District of Mahneshan County. This descriptive-analytical correlational study investigated farmers' perception of the economic value of water and its impact on their selection of irrigation methods. The statistical population consisted of 1451 farmers from 14 selected villages (out of 56 villages) in 2025-2026. Using random cluster sampling and the Cochran formula, a sample of 306 individuals was selected. Data were collected via a questionnaire with confirmed content validity and reliability (Cronbach's alpha=0.79) and analyzed using Pearson/Spearman correlation coefficients, multiple regression, and ANOVA. The findings revealed that 64.4% of farmers use traditional methods, 13.7% use modern methods, and 21.9% use combined methods. Modern methods demonstrated higher efficiency with lower water consumption (4200 m³/hectare) and higher yield (3900 kg/hectare). Perception of the economic value of water (mean score of 4.10 for the importance of water) and education level (β=0.35) had a significant impact on the adoption of modern methods. However, financial (72.3%) and infrastructural (58.7%) constraints were major barriers to adoption. The overall conclusion indicates that enhancing awareness, education, and supportive policies can contribute to improved water management and agricultural sustainability. It is recommended to strengthen training, financial subsidies, and digital infrastructure development to promote drip irrigation and agricultural sustainability.
Keywords
Irrigation Methods
Sustainable Agriculture
Farmers' Perception
Digital Technology
Zanjan Province
Subjects
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Water and Irrigation Management
Volume 15, Issue 4
Winter 2026
Pages 697-711