The Effects of Water Market Development on Farmers' Selective Cultivation Pattern in Sabalan Irrigation Network, Ardabil

Improving the efficiency of water use in the presence of a water market is an issue that, under the current constraints of water resources in the country, can guide the water management sector. This paper deals with the economic impacts of water market development. For this purpose, the effects of water market development by applying different pricing scenarios were investigated using a mathematical model (PMP). First, the economic value of different agricultural crops in the study area was estimated, then considering the average water tariff in agricultural lands and the economic value of water, by adopting different prices (water tariff, final cost and economic value), probable cropping pattern changes were calculated at Sabalan irrigation network. The results showed that there is a significant difference between the economic value of water and its tariff. As water prices rise, crop cultivated areas, yields and net gross profit decline. Alfalfa with the 58% decrease in cultivation area, had the highest decrease among agricultural crops, and showing that in different price scenarios, the pattern of crops is chosen by the farmers that more benefits per unit of water consumed.