Identifying factor affecting efficiency of water use in wheat production, Alborz province (Data Envelopment Analysis Approach)

According to the increasing demand for water in agriculture section and limited water resources in Iran, it is important to pay attention to the problem of water resources crisis and ways to improve the level of efficiency and productivity of it. Hence, due to the high consumption of water resources in the production of wheat as a strategic crop in Iran, in this study, efficiency of water use in wheat producers of Alborz province was calculated by using data envelopment analysis and the completion of 200 questionnaires in the year of 1394. Also, factors affecting water use efficiency were analyzed by using Tobit regression model. Results show that the average technical efficiency in the condition of constant and variable return to scale is 74 and 78 %, respectively and the average water use efficiency in these two conditions is 88 and 90%, respectively. According to the results, variables of farmer experience, level of education, land ownership and water price have positive effect and the variables of distance from farm to water resource, farmer participation in training classes and membership in cooperatives have negative and significant effect on water use efficiency. According to the findings, it seems that revisions of extension services provided to farmers, as well as change in management of rural cooperatives play an important role in improving water use efficiency in the region.