Identification and Analysis of Agricultural Water Management Problems (AWMP) in Zarrindasht County, Fars Province, Iran

The main purpose of this research was to analyze Agricultural Water Management Problems (AWMP) in three contexts of: water source, water conveyance and at the farm level, in Zarrindasht County, Fars Province. The research was carried out based on a survey method with a questionnaire compiled for collection of data. Questionnaire's reliability was confirmed through a computation of Cronbach's Alpha Coefficient which was respectively obtained as 0.86, 0.80, and 0.74 in the areas of irrigation source, water conveyance and at the farm level. Face validity of the questionnaire was confirmed through participation of three groups including a group of Tehran University Agricultural Extension and Education Department scientific board members, Zarrindasht County's Agricultural Jihad Management Experts, and Darab County Water Organization Experts. The study's statistical population and sample included 4648 and 150 farmers respectively by use of Cochran's formula. Sampling was carried out through proportional stratified sampling method. It was revealed highly priority AWMP were included: fall of underground water level, curved canals and the prevalence of mostly rough irrigated lands. The results of means comparison revealed that farmers with no access to credits, those with pumps equipped with diesel engines, and those having to transfer water through earth canals, were faced with more AWMP. Also, according to results of factor analysis, AWMP variables were classified into 5, 3 and 4 factors in the areas of irrigation source, water transmission and at the farm level, respectively.