Analysis of Cultural and Social Factors Influencing Farmer's Attitudes towards Water Management (Case study: Shirvan and Chardavol County)

The purpose of present work is to survey cultural and social factors affecting the attitudes of Shirvan and Chardavol county farmers toward agricultural water management. Data was gathered through a field research and survey, using interviews and the questionnaire that was prepared for this purpose. The statistical population consisted of all the farmers (wheat cultivators) of Shirvan & Chardavol county (over 9250 people), that among them as the statistical samples, 192 people were selected through a random level-sampling method using Cochrane formula. The validity of the prepared questionnaire was obtained by using comments from related experts and university teachers and applying the necessary changes. The reliability coefficient of the questionnaire was obtained through a preliminary test, and by using SPSS software Cronbach alpha coefficient was obtained equal to 0.8. The results of this study show that between the parameters of, farmers performance (in irrigated wheat field), the rate of promoting contacts, the rate of usage of communication channels, the rate of social participation, and the expertise of the users, and the parameter of farmers attitudes toward agricultural water management a positive and meaningful relationship exists. However, between the mean values of attitudes of the farmers toward agricultural water management, in terms of use of the extension services, membership in production cooperatives and rural organizations, a meaningful difference exists.