Investigation of Factors Affecting Farmers' Attitude toward Sustainable Management of Agricultural Water Resources(Case Study: Wheat Farmers in Maragheh County)

The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the factors affecting farmers' attitudes towards sustainable management of agricultural water resources.

The statistical population of this study was 240 wheat farmers in Maragheh city. In order to select individuals for the study, proportional stratified random sampling method was used. Based on Krejcie and Morgan's table, 149 farmers were selected for the study. The questionnaire was the primary research instrument, which was verified by reviewing the sources and interviewing the experts and its content validity. To assess its reliability, 30 questionnaires were completed and Cronbach's alpha value was 0.85, indicating acceptable reliability of the questionnaire.

Findings showed that there was a direct and significant relationship between farmers' attitudes with income, level of cultivation, economic, extension-educational and policy-institutional factors. The results of multiple regression showed that the variables of economic, educational and extension factors can explain 45% of the changes in the dependent variable, ie farmers' attitudes towards sustainable management of agricultural water resources. Also, the results of t-test showed that there is a significant difference between farmers' attitudes towards sustainable water resources management in terms of four variables: type of water source used, use of water storage ponds, use of groundwater and mechanized water resources.

In general, the results showed that the determinants of farmers' attitudes toward sustainable management of agricultural water resources were economic factors and programs and extension activities. Therefore, the adoption of direct financial incentives and the implementation of support programs and training of farmers through holding various courses will increase the level of ability, skill, knowledge and knowledge of technical farmers about sustainable management of water resources and related measures. In this way, farmers will have a more favorable attitude towards the sustainable management of water resources and, as a result, will have a greater sense of responsibility in this regard.