A Study of the Water User Associations Effects on the Socio- Economic Status of Farmers in Northern Khorasan Province

The present study examined the Water User Associations effects on the socio- economic status of farmers in Northern Khorasan Province. The statistical population was composed of 20721 people, out of which 102 villages being members of WUAs were sampled by multi-stage random sampling and 92 villages who were not members were selected according to Cochran's formula. The questionnaires validity was confirmed by a panel of experts, and its reliability was estimated to be economic variables 0.76 and for social variables, 0.84 by Cronbach's alpha. Results of t-test and Mann-Whitney-u test found that villages who were members of WUAs had better performance than those who were not members of these cooperatives in terms of "using advanced irrigation systems", "water use", "power savings", "the amount of investment to establish a pressurized irrigation system" and "relations with promoters and agricultural experts". Also, the average variables of cost of water supply, water disputes (dispute over water) and the desire to migrate in villages with Water User Associations are significantly less than those without cooperatives. In order to provide more satisfaction to the exploiters, it is proposed that water distribution be done without any discrimination according to the needs of the farm.