Factors Affecting Adoption of Water Management Project for Reclamation of Lake Urmia by Farmers in Naghadeh Township

Purpose of this study was investigating factors affecting the acceptance of water management plan for restoration of Lake Urmia by farmers in Naghadeh. Sociological model of environmental behavior by Fietkau and Kassel (1981) was used for analyzing farmers’ behavior. Statistical population of the study was 670 farmers in 9 villages in Naghadeh. Based on Cochran formula and stratified random sampling, 152 farmers were selected as the study sample. A questionnaire was used for data collecting which its validity was verified by experts and its reliability was confirmed by calculating Cronbach's alpha. Correlation results showed positive and significant relationships between acceptance of water management plan for restoration of Lake Urmia with farmers' attitude towards lake restoration and water management plan, farmers' facilities, farmers' knowledge about lake restoration and water management plan, subjective norm, sense of responsibility, land ownership and level of education. Results of logistic regression indicated that farmers' knowledge about lake restoration, farmers' facilities, farmers' attitude towards lake restoration and attitude towards water management plan as the most important determinant factors of two groups of farmers (adopters and non-adopters of water management plan) have been able to correctly classify 92.1% of the total respondents. 64 to 88 percent of variance of the variable acceptance of water management plan was determined by independent variables entered in the model. Based on the findings, suggestions were made regarding the design and implementation of educational and extension programs to increase the acceptance of water management plan for restoring Lake Urmia by farmers.