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

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Document Type : Research Paper

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znu

10.22059/jwim.2025.400002.1250

Abstract

Water, as a vital resource in sustainable agriculture, plays a key role, especially in arid regions such as the central district of Mahneshan County. This descriptive-analytical study with a correlational approach examined farmers' perception of the economic value of water and its impact on the selection of irrigation methods. The statistical population consisted of 1,451 farmers from 14 selected villages out of 56, with 306 farmers chosen using random cluster sampling and Cochran’s formula. Data were collected through a questionnaire with content validity and reliability (Cronbach’s alpha 0.79) and analyzed using Pearson/Spearman correlation coefficients, multiple regression, and analysis of variance. The findings revealed that 64.4% of farmers use traditional methods, 13.7% use modern methods, and 21.9% use a combination of both. Modern methods, with lower water consumption (4,200 m³/ha) and higher yield (3,900 kg/ha), demonstrated greater efficiency. The perception of the economic value of water (mean score of 4.10 for understanding water’s importance) and education (β=0.35) significantly influenced the adoption of modern methods, while financial barriers (72.3%) and infrastructural constraints (58.7%) hindered their adoption. The overall conclusion suggests that enhancing awareness, education, and supportive policies can contribute to improved water management and agricultural sustainability.

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Water and Irrigation Management

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 04 December 2025

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