Analysis of educational needs of Farmers with surface irrigation system to improve water productivity (Case study: Qazvin province)

Water scarcity has become a serious crisis due to population growth, climate change, industrial development and human intervention, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. A large percentage of agricultural lands in the world and Iran are irrigated by surface irrigation methods. The three-dimensional model of Kauffman, Corrigan and Johnson and Delphi method were used for educational needs assessment of farmers. water users' awareness of educational needs from the three perspectives of ‘farmers’, ‘experts and officials’ and ‘educational process executives’ for farmers were 3.31±1.23, 2.23±0.76 and 2.20±0.95 (The total score was 5) and for horticulturists were 3.50±1.15, 2.27±0.80 and 2.36±0.81, respectively. The status of farmers knowledge in most educational needs, especially from experts and educational executives, is less than average (Score 3). The most important educational needs based on three perspectives were "time management of different stages of irrigation", "adaptation of farm management with irrigation system type " and "management of water use during drought and water scarcity", respectively. Also, "garden constructing principles for more productivity", "knowledge of different types and stages of financial facilities" and "environmental problems of unconventional water use " for horticulturists. The findings of this study showed the priorities of defining the educational headings and training courses for farmers with surface irrigation system. In addition to farmers education, the focus should be on capacity building of farmers education organizations.