Application of Drip-Tape Irrigation in Tomato Production: Analysis of Optimal Water-Use

Increasing the efficiency and productivity of agricultural water using pressurized irrigation systems at the farm level has been one of the main strategies of the past three decades of agricultural water resources management plans. However, the question of efficiency and optimum use of this irrigation system remains to be answered. The aim of this research was to study the level of optimal water-use and its determinants among tomato producers who have adopted drip-tape irrigation system in Kazeroon County, Iran. A survey research method was used with a systematic random sample which included 250 tomato producers from Markazi and Jereh-Baladeh Divisions of Kazeroon County. The findings revealed that attitudes toward the importance of optimal irrigation has a strong positive correlation with optimum water-use. Regression results indicated that attitude toward the importance of optimal irrigation, agricultural water quality (EC), soil quality, climate type, the amount of chemical fertilizers and pesticides used and agricultural land slope can significantly predict the level of farmers’ optimal drip-tape irrigation use. These variables explain 76 percent variance of the optimal water use. The results also showed that the optimal water-use has a significant relationship with agricultural water productivity, cost of production, and the level of farm weeds and diseases. Findings indicated that human dimension has a decisive role in achieving the optimization of drip-tape irrigation system, therefore, the agricultural extension plans to optimize the use of pressurized irrigation systems should focus on improving attitudes, behavior and skills of farmers.