Factors Affecting the Success of Privatizing Management of Qazvin Irrigation Network

Factors such as poor management and improper operation and maintenance, dissatisfaction of farmers, and the deterioration of irrigation networks under governmental management have made it essential to successfully transfer irrigation system's management to farmers. The purpose of this study was to identify the most important factors affecting successful transition to privatization of irrigation networks management from the viewpoint of water users in the Qazvin network. Sample size was determined using Cochran formula and individual farmers were selected using multi-stage sampling method (n=127). A questionnaire was used to collect the data. The validity of the questionnaire was approved by the judgment of a panel of faculty members and experienced experts. In order to measure the reliability of the questionnaire, Cronbach Alpha coefficient was calculated for the main scales of the questionnaire (0.92). The results showed that the most important factors were facility and financial support of government, skill and proficiency level of irrigation network operators, transparency of the goals and the institutional management method, trust in farmers and their involvement in different activities, and development of technology and machinery. By using exploratory factor analysis, factors in the successful transition were summarized in three factors including trusting and financial/technical support of farmers, administrative transparency, and education and dissemination of information.