Hydro-Economic Agent-Based Modelling for Simulation of the Water Market in Mojen

This study examines how water rights are distributed and traded between farmers in the Mojen region. Furthermore, based on field study and interviews with a group of farmers, an agent-based model is suggested for simulation of Mojen Water Market (MWM). Markets, such as MWM, are far different from the modern ones in developed countries; nontheless the results of the study declared that by eliminating barriers and providing an appropriate background for sbetter water right trads, water markets like MWM will be able to play a pivotal and productive role in the water resources management. We demonstrated how the increase in interactions between farmers as well as cooperation of the Mojen Irrigation Company and the farmers, lead to productive and more profitable results. We showed that as the farmers interactions increased, the average number of farmers below the poverty line would be reduced by 25%. Furthermore, we assessed the water market’s performance, from the cultivated area’s viewpoint, under dry years condition. For instance, during the sever drought of 2006-2008 period, the result showed a mild reduction in crop cultivation compared to the normal situation.