Application of The Hierarchical Analysis Process (AHP) in identifying the best irrigation method (case study: Hokmabad lands of Tabriz City)

The irrigation system, as one of the main factors in the production of agricultural products, plays a significant role in improving crop yield and agricultural water productivity. It is natural that choosing the right type of irrigation system for each region and product is important. In the present study, we selected the best irrigation system in the agricultural lands of Hakkamabad, Tabriz City, from the Hierarchical Analysis Process (AHP) among all types of rain irrigation systems, including fixed classic, manual displacement, wheeled, pulley, central rotary, linear, and other systems. Local irrigation, including tip, drip, fogger, and low-pressure bubbler, and surface irrigation systems, including flood irrigation, spot irrigation, strip irrigation, mechanized leakage, and leakage, were used. In this study, technical, social, economic, operational, environmental, and agricultural tourism criteria were used to select the most appropriate irrigation system for the study area. The results of the hierarchical analysis process showed that among the selected criteria and sub-criteria, the agricultural tourism criterion and tourism attractiveness sub-criterion had the most influence, while the technical criterion and automation possibility sub-criterion had the least influence on choosing the type of irrigation system. In this study, the Kirti irrigation system, with a score of 6.53, was chosen as the best option for the study area. Among the rain irrigation methods, a fixed classical system with a score of 4.34 and, among local methods, a tip system with a score of 3.82 were considered as another option for agricultural lands in Hakkamabad, Tabriz City.