Investigating the Environmental and Economic Effects of Mini-Bubbler Pressurized Irrigation Projects in Birjand County

This study aimed to evaluate the environmental and economic effects of the development of mini-bubbler pressurized irrigation projects as a modern irrigation system in Birjand County, South Khorasan Province, from the perspective of farmers and users, so the quantitative and qualitative processes of these irrigation projects can be evaluated. Data collection was conducted with a survey technique and the results showed that most of the farmers had a favorable assessment of the environmental and economic effects of the plan. The economic factor was found to be the most important factor during the evaluations, which included the variables of reducing the time required for irrigation, increasing the amount of production per hectare, increasing the cultivated area, reducing labor costs, reducing water and irrigation costs, improving the quality of products, and increasing the income from agriculture, which explained ca. 26.2 percent of the total variance. The second factor was the environmental factor, which includes the variables of the more appropriate use of fertilizers and pesticides, reduction of plant diseases, reduction of weeds, and prevention of soil salinization, which explains 21.6 percent of the total variance. Also, the effects of mini-bubbler irrigation on agricultural inputs were also evaluated, which included the variables of less water consumption, less seed consumption per hectare, compliance with the cultivation pattern, and increasing the mechanization factor, and explained 17.8 percent of the total variance. The social factor also includes the variables of gaining social credit, the cooperation of users in maintaining the system, and observing the irrigation schedule, and it explains 11.2 percent of the total variance. Finally, based on the obtained results, suggestions have been made for the success of implementing and using such projects.