Analysis of the Role of Agricultural Extension on Conservation of Agricultural Water Resources: A qualitative study in the Kermanshah county

The purpose of this study was to analyze the role of agricultural extension on conservation of agricultural water resources in the Mahidasht Plain of Kermanshah County, Iran. A qualitative study was adopted with a conventional content analysis approach. The purposive sampling method was conducted using snowball method. Data collection was done through in-depth and semi-structured interviews with four groups of key informants, including managers, experts, researchers, and university lecturers from 10 organizations related to agricultural water resources (N=51). Data were analyzed using the MAXQDA-10 software concurrently with data collection. Also content analysis of documents related to the research subject was conducted. 347 primary codes, 5 main categories, and 11 sub- categories emerged as the results of qualitative content analysis process. These categories as the role of agricultural extension on conservation of agricultural water resources, include: Improving cultural and social situation including, making culture for optimal consumption of resources (39 codes), increasing participation (29 codes), and creating employment opportunities (22 codes); improving economic situation of stakeholders including, increasing agricultural production and productivity (26 codes) and increasing income (24 codes); improving policy-making including, agricultural development (28 codes) and water resources policies (37 codes); improving organizational and institutional interactions between agricultural extension and research organizations and universities (33 codes) and the Non-governmental and private organization (28 codes); and modifying behaviors toward exploitation of fundamental production resources (42 codes) and unsustainable production practices (28 codes). These key roles for agricultural extension is essential to help solving the water crisis.