Factors Influencing on Beneficiarie's Participation towards Ancillary Irrigation and Drainage Networks Development: Application of Path Analysis

In order to develop water resource, noticeable actions have been taken toward controlling and transferring fresh water. But, less actions have implemented toward water distribution in farms, because of lacking appropriate development of irrigation and drainage networks. Implementing ancillary irrigation networks is one of the main ways for enhancing water use efficiency. Therefore, this research was executed to investigate factors affecting beneficiarie's participation towards ancillary irrigation and drainage networks in Bozhan river zone, Neyshabour County. Research method was descriptive by using survey technique. The research instrument included a questionnaire. Its validity was approved by a specialists panel and a pilot study was conducted to examine its reliability. Cronbach's alpha coefficients were from 0.70 to 0.90. All the network participants (744 beneficiaries) were the research statistical population. Proportional random sampling method was used to collect data from 254 beneficiaries. Findings of path analysis revealed that variables including visiting demonstration farms and amount of contact with extension agents had the most direct effect on beneficiarie's participation in developing ancillary irrigation and drainage networks. Also, the variables of the amount of referral of others to beneficiary (water user) and income had the most indirect effect on beneficiarie's participation in developing ancillary irrigation and drainage networks. At the end, based on the findings of the research, some executive recommendations have been presented to promote beneficiarie's participation toward development of ancillary irrigation and drainage networks.