Factors Affecting Water Market Creation and Development in Hamedan-Bahar Plain

One of the most efficient and effective solutions available for water demand management is using economic tools (such as water markets). Different aspects of water management including technical, economical, social and legal structure are important and essential in water market creation and development. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the factors affecting the creation and development of the water market in the Hamedan-Bahar plain. This research is based on a quantitative and descriptive-analytical   method. The population of the study includes water-bearing farmers in Hamedan-Bahar plain (N = 3048). Data, were gathered by surveying method through researcher-made questionnaire to evaluate farmers' opinions in order to investigate the factors affecting the creation and development of the water market in the Hamedan-Bahar plain in 2018-2019. The sample size is 240 determined based on the Cochran formula. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used to examine the reliability of the research tool, which was 0.91. Results showed, the elimination of legal conflicts, recognition of the water market, definition of water exchange rights, the installation of smart meters and the mechanism for delivering water volumes as technical agricultural factors are the most effective factors in water market creation and development.