N. Afshar Bakeshloo; K. Zarafshani; B. Farhadi Bansouleh
Abstract
Introduction: Kermanshah Province with one million hectares of arable land play an important role in food security and economy of Kermanshah province. For example, Kermanshah province holds third in wheat yield per hectare; second in chickpea production; third in maize production; third in sugar beet ...
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Introduction: Kermanshah Province with one million hectares of arable land play an important role in food security and economy of Kermanshah province. For example, Kermanshah province holds third in wheat yield per hectare; second in chickpea production; third in maize production; third in sugar beet yield per hectare; and seventh in tomato production. However, unsustainable behavior of farmers in one hand and overuse of water consumption have depleted water reserves which in turn has developed “prohibited plains” in the region. For example, several regions such as Mahidasht, Islamabad, and Kangavar are consider as forbidden areas and still extending in size. In addition, with the continued overuse of water resources we will soon experience huge sinkholes across the province. Therefore, there is a need to study the content and value of virtual water in order to zone cultivated areas based on virtual water. This could be an effective way to maintain water resources and prevent environmental crises.
Materials and Methods: This study used quantitative documentary research method. Using secondary data source, we collected data from various sources such as FAO data bank, Agricultural Jihad Organization data source, Meteorological organization, Agricultural Research Center, and Department of Soil and Water Management. This documentary research sought to investigate the content and value of virtual water used in irrigated and rainfed farming across wheat, barley, chickpea, maize, sugar beet, and tomatoes during 2014-2015 using CROPWAT, AGWAT, and EXCEL software. In addition, the share of green and blue virtual water was estimated in the study. Finally, 12 provinces were zoned from classes A to Z based on virtual water content and value of the products.
Results and Discussion: Results revealed that wheat with 1.96 to 3.68 m3/kg is the most consumable product that about 60 percent of the cultivated areas of wheat are located in areas of the province that are inappropriate in terms of content and value of virtual water. Also, tomato with the value of 0.09 to 0.38 m3/kg had the lowest virtual water content and average value of virtual water. According to the results, the sugar beet product is in desirable condition in terms of virtual water content and had moderate conditions in virtual water value. Finally, about 80% of maize produced in areas that are not in a desirable position in terms of virtual water content and value.
Results of green and blue virtual water showed that spring products such as sugar beet, tomatoes and maize received their water requirement from surface and groundwater resources. In addition, the largest blue component of wheat was related to Harsin city and the lowest was related to Javanrod city. For irrigated barley, the smallest and the largest share of blue virtual water were related to cities of Qasr Shirin and Sahne respectively.
Conclusion: Overall, the results of this study revealed that irrigated wheat and barley have a poor condition in terms of the content and the value of virtual water. However, since wheat and barley are considered as a strategic products policymaker should take appropriate measures in order to provide sustainable cultivation of wheat and barley. For example, improved farming, plant breeding, changing the growing season according to climatic conditions, developing cultivation in suitable areas, as well as applying appropriate pricing and support policies, including training of beneficiaries, and improving insurance policies could provide appropriate measures if Iran is to be self-sufficient in wheat and barley production.
Results of this study has practical significance for agricultural policymakers in Iran in general and Kermanshah province in particular. For example, zoning of crop cultivation based on the content and value of virtual water provided in this study can be an effective tool in modelling cropping pattern and sound water management policies. In addition, effective cropping pattern as well as sound water management resources would encourage farmers to engage in climate smart agriculture. Moreover, cultivation zoning based on content and value of virtual water is considered as a climate smart agriculture technique. This in turn would create resilient farming system in the study area. Through resilient farming system, farmers better adapt to climatic condition more effectively.
A. Aazami; K. Zarafshani; hossein dehghani; A. Gorji
Abstract
The purpose of this integrative (quantitative-qualitative) descriptive survey study was to determine factors influencing farmers’ attitude toward sprinkler irrigation systems. A researcher made questionnaire was used to collect data. A sample of 274 farmers who were equipped with sprinkler irrigation ...
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The purpose of this integrative (quantitative-qualitative) descriptive survey study was to determine factors influencing farmers’ attitude toward sprinkler irrigation systems. A researcher made questionnaire was used to collect data. A sample of 274 farmers who were equipped with sprinkler irrigation systems during the past three years participated in the study. The face validity of the questionnaire was tested using experts in Department of Irrigation Improvement in Water and Soil Division in Ministry of Agricultural Jihad as well as experts in Agricultural College. Corrections were made in the research instrument as needed. The reliability was tested using a pilot study with 50 farmers outside the population. An Alpha Coefficient of 0.75 proved to be reliable. Results revealed that 80% of farmers held positive attitude toward their irrigation systems. Moreover, farmers’ level of education, experience with the systems, cost if installation, training, changes in income, and land holdings explained 64% of variance in farmers’ attitude toward irrigation systems. The qualitative results revealed some problems and issues perceived by farmers. Long process in filling application, lack of expertise among engineering firms, ineffective training classes, low quality spare parts, lack of water resources, and inefficiency in allocating resources were challenges by most farmers. Since attitude is predicts behavior, the result of this study can assist sprinkler irrigation policy makers to develop irrigation development in the region.
A. Aazami; K. Zarafshani; H. Dehghanisanij; A. Gorji
Abstract
Abstract
One of the technologies that deal with efficient use of water is sprinkler irrigation systems. If farmers are to continue the use of sprinkler systems which may be crucial in agricultural development, educational programs should be tailored to their needs. Therefore, the main purpose of this ...
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Abstract
One of the technologies that deal with efficient use of water is sprinkler irrigation systems. If farmers are to continue the use of sprinkler systems which may be crucial in agricultural development, educational programs should be tailored to their needs. Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to analyze educational needs of farmers equipped with sprinkler irrigation. Furthermore, this study sought to investigate the appropriate teaching strategies that should be used by extension educators when teaching sprinkler irrigation systems. Finally, this study focused on competencies needed by adult educators as perceived by farmers. The target population of this descriptive survey design consisted of farmers who were equipped with sprinkler irrigation systems (N=75). An accessible sample of 63 farmers participated in this study (86% response rate). Using Borich Need Assessment model, four educational needs emerged. Namely, distinguishing different components of the system, system maintenance, knowledge on different sprinkler irrigation methods, and their relative advantages and disadvantages were prioritized by farmers. Moreover, farmers ranked face to face training, demonstration farms, and workshops as their top three preferences for receiving training for sprinkler system. Finally, farmers believed that sprinkler irrigation educators should be competent in different design systems and their components as well as competence in diffusion of innovations. The result of this study has major implications for sprinkler irrigation development programs. First, extension agents should train farmers on technical issues related to irrigation systems. If educational needs of farmers are to be met, extension agents with competencies in irrigation systems are suggested. Moreover, they also need to use face-to-face education when training farmers.
Keywords: Educational needs, Teaching methods, Educational competencies, Sprinkler irrigation systems
A. Aazami; K. Zarafshani; H. Dehghanisanij; A. Gorji
Abstract
Abstract
The main purpose of this study was to determine farmers’ satisfaction towards pressurized irrigation systems in Kermanshah province. This study used a mixed method design with descriptive correlation emphasis. A researcher made questionnaire was used to collect data. A random sample of 274 ...
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Abstract
The main purpose of this study was to determine farmers’ satisfaction towards pressurized irrigation systems in Kermanshah province. This study used a mixed method design with descriptive correlation emphasis. A researcher made questionnaire was used to collect data. A random sample of 274 farmers who have been equipped with pressurized irrigation systems during the last three years participated in the study. Results revealed that 77% of those farmers were satisfied with their systems whereas 23% were unsatisfied. Moreover, there was same level of satisfaction between drip and sprinkler irrigated farmers. Level of satisfaction across farmers with different sprinkler systems showed that farmers using non-portable sprinkler systems were most satisfied. Water resources also influenced farmers’ satisfaction. Those utilizing wells and khanat were more satisfied than farmers using other water resources. In addition, land owners were more satisfied than landless farmers equipped with pressurized irrigation systems. Furthermore, farmers were most satisfied with: increased yield, higher quality product, less dependence on farm workers, water use efficiency, even water distribution, and increased irrigated farms. However, farmers were least satisfied with: low quality spare parts, incompetent sprinkler designers, administrative obstacles in receiving loans, and non-adaptability of systems in different climatic conditions. The results of this study has implications for pressurized irrigation policy-makers in that they can use predictors of satisfaction in identifying weaknesses and strengths of pressurized irrigation systems when designing development strategies.
Keywords: Sprinkler irrigation, Drip irrigation, Farmer users, Satisfaction
