Farmer participation in irrigation management: The case of Doroodzan Dam Irrigation Network, Iran

doi:10.1016/j.agwat.2008.11.008

Agricultural Water Management

Volume 96, Issue 5, May 2009, Pages 859-865

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2008.11.008 Get rights and content

Abstract

The importance of farmer participation in system design and management has been emphasized in previous studies. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors affecting farmer participation in irrigation management using survey research. The study was conducted in Doroodzan Dam Irrigation Network in Fars province, Iran. Multistage stratified random sampling was used to collect data from 270 farmers as the research sample. Results reveal that farmers’ attitudes toward participation in irrigation management, attitudes toward personnel of the State Water Authority and the Agricultural Extension Service Centers (AESCs), family size, the problem perception, dependence on the dam for water, and educational background have influenced their participation in irrigation management. By contrast, contact with information sources, animal units, sociability, age and agricultural experience did not affect farmers’ participation. Moreover, based on farmers’ perspectives, unequal water distribution among farms, dissatisfaction with Water Authority operators and high water fees and charges were the main problems and obstacles toward farmer participation in irrigation management.

Introduction

Water resources development and management is imperative for sustainable agriculture in water scarce areas (Ashraf et al., 2007). Moreover, the importance of collective action in many aspects of agriculture, natural resource management, and rural development programs in developing countries has been recognized (Meinzen-Dick et al., 2004).

In recent years development strategies have undergone a dramatic shift, with the emphasis changing from the state being the central sector toward greater participation by government or non-governmental organizations (Yercan, 2003). Participation by farmers in system design and management helps to ensure the sustainability of the system, reduce the public expenditure burden, and improve efficiency, equity, and standards of service (World Bank, 2003).

Bell (2001 cited in Dungumaro and Madulu, 2003) argues that community involvement in integrated water resources management or in other environmental issues is based on three considerations: (1) The emergence of participatory approaches demonstrates the importance of local community consent in taking part in public decision-making processes, especially on issues that directly affect their welfare. In this context, local community participation could provide an important database, experience and ideas that could lead to practical, relevant, achievable and acceptable solutions to water related problems, (2) The need to use indigenous knowledge (IK) and opinions that are vital to environmental protection, including proper water resource use and management, and (3) The need to build public trust, as the lack of public trust might lead to protest and antagonism between water resource users and other stakeholders due to varying interests and demands.

According to Dungumaro and Madulu (2003), it is important to involve local communities in assessing and solving water problems since they are the ones who interact with their environments and conduct activities that impact the environment.

The involvement of local communities and utilization of local knowledge in project design and implementation can be helpful in resolving anticipated conflicts. Such a situation can build trust between stakeholders and partners, and develop a sense of ownership and responsibility among local communities (Dungumaro and Madulu, 2003).

The introduction of participatory irrigation management, with the transfer of operation and maintenance responsibilities to farmers, together with greater cost recovery for the provision of water, is gaining importance in irrigation management (Stacey, 1999).

Participation is a process in which stakeholders influence policy formulation, investment choices and management decisions affecting their communities, and they establish the necessary sense of ownership (Yercan, 2003).

This study was designed to examine the demographic, socio-economic and organizational factors that affect farmer participation in irrigation management and to determine the problems and obstacles that exist in implementing irrigation management programs.

Section snippets

Factors affecting farmer participation

The ability to read, economic status, and the number of hectares cultivated tend to influence farmer participation in community action groups (Beach, 1993).

Age, education and length of residency are important for explaining differential entering of specific habitats into environmentally sensitive areas (ESAs) scheme, while scheme duration, dependence on the farm for income, tenure and the general information environment of the farmer did not influence overall participation in Wilson's study

Study area

The study was conducted in Doroodzan Dam Irrigation Network, Marvdasht Township, Fars province, in southwestern Iran (Fig. 1). Fars province is one of the largest (121,000 km²; about 7.5% of Iran's area) and most heavily populated (more than 4 million) provinces. It is one of the leading regions in agricultural production (the leading province in wheat production), although recently has confronted with water scarcity (Hayati and Karami, 2005). Doroodzan dam is one of the largest reservoirs in

Descriptive statistics

The age of respondents in this study ranged from 17 to 86 years with a mean of 41 years (Table 1). The range of family size was from 1 to 13 persons with a mean of 5.5 persons. The range of educational backgrounds was from 0 to 18 years of schooling with an average of 6.2 years. The majority of respondents (36%) had 1–5 years of education, while 15.5% were illiterate. The agricultural experience of farmers ranged from 2 to 70 years with a mean of 23.2 years. Farmers had an average irrigated

Conclusions and recommendations

Farmer attitudes toward participation in irrigation management and their attitudes toward personnel of Water Authority and AESC are correlated with farmer participation in irrigation management. Problem perception also has a significant effect on farmer participation. Water agency personnel should have more frequent visits with farmers to receive their opinions and gain their trust, and to keep them informed about related issues. Educational programs and the removal of obstacles, such as

Acknowledgements

This project was funded by a grant from the research council of Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran. The authors express appreciation to Dr. E. Karami and Dr. D. Hayati for their consultation, and H. Mortezapour, M. Emadi, B. Abadi and A. Shabani for their assistance in this research. We express appreciation also to Professor M. Riazi, from the English Department, as well as Dr. Zarafshani from Razi University, who kindly reviewed the article.

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Farmer participation in irrigation management: The case of Doroodzan Dam Irrigation Network, Iran

Abstract

Introduction

Section snippets

Factors affecting farmer participation

Study area

Descriptive statistics

Conclusions and recommendations

Acknowledgements

Agricultural Water Management

Forest Ecology and Management

Physics and Chemistry of the Earth

Journal of Economic Psychology

Agricultural Systems

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