Obstacles Hampering the Application of Pressurized Irrigation Technology from the Perception of Agricultural Production Cooperative Members in Ardabil and Bilesavar Townships

The main purpose of this study was to examine the obstacles hampering the application of pressurized irrigation technology through the perception of agricultural production cooperatives members in both Ardabil and Bilesavar Townships. The population of the research included 900 wheat growers, which 130 persons were selected by proportional stratified sampling method. The sample size was determined by the use of Cochran formula. All of the selected farmers, cooperatively, applied pressurized irrigation system on their farms. The data collection tool was a questionnaire. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by a panel of experts at the University of Tehran and a group of Agricultural Jihad Organization specialists. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was used to determine the reliability of the questionnaire (α=0.72). Data analysis was performed by implementing SPSS statistical software. The results of the study showed, there was a significant difference between the amount of wheat production and annual net income per hectare before and after implementation of pressurized irrigation systems. The obstacles of applying pressurized irrigation technologies by wheat growers were categorized in to four factors (Technical, Social, Natural and Economic). These factors all together accounted 64.21% of the total variance.