Analysis of mechanisms for improving participation of farmers in the management of irrigation network in Jarghouyeh, Isfahan, Iran

People participation is the most effective alternative strategy for achieving development objectives and success of economic structural adjustment programs. Hence، this study was conducted to analyze the mechanism for improving participation of farmers in the management of irrigation network of Jarghouyeh district in Isfahan County. The study adopted a descriptivecorrelational research design and implemented by survey procedure. About 1810 farmer''s who were members in the Water User Associations (WUAs) of Jarghouyeh district of Isfahan County consisted the statistical population of the study، out of which 150 farmers were selected as sample using proportionate stratified random sampling technique. A questionnaire was developed for gathering the data and information. The validity of the questionnaire was approved by the judgment of expert panel. Internal consistency of the main scale of the questionnaire was calculated through Cronbach alpha in SPSS software which was equal to 0. 75 indicating the reliability of the scale. Factor analysis also indicated that four factors Viz.، legal support and provision of facilities by the government، improving farming practices and adopting modern methods، increasing role of GOs and NGOs and provision of necessary education accounted for 57% of variance of the mechanisms for improving farmer''s participation in the irrigation networks. The results of prioritizing of the mechanism for improving participation of farmers in the management of irrigation network indicated that by the government facilitation in the allocation of water، the farmers will participate more in the maintenance and exploitation for the irrigation network. In addition the government involvement in the provision of sustainable legal support system، farmers'' participation will be improved.