Extension mechanisms influencing the adoption of sprinkler irrigation system in Iran

Transcription

1 ISSN Ozean Publication Extension mechanisms influencing the adoption of sprinkler irrigation system in Iran Seyed Jamal F.Hosseini*, Yosra Khorsand** and Shabaldeen Shokri*** *Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch Tehran, Iran **Islamic Azad University, Birjand branch Birjand, Iran ***Department of Agricultural development Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch Tehran, Iran * address for correspondence: Abstract: Horticultural producers were surveyed in order to explore their perception about the role of extension mechanisms in adopting the sprinkler irrigation system in Iran. The methodology used in this study involved a combination of descriptive and quantitative research. The total population for this study was 150 gardeners who adopted the sprinkler irrigation system in Chenaran Township in Khorasan Razavi Province. Based on the results of the mean score, respondents indicated that visiting extension agents in the service centers was the most effective individual extension method main in helping them to adopt the sprinkler irrigation systems. It was also reported from the findings of the study 45% of the variance in the perception of gardeners about the role of extension mechanisms in adopting the sprinkler irrigation systems could be explained by visiting extension agents in service centers, extension classes, visiting extension agents in the field and visiting sample farm. Kewords: Extension Mechanisms, Sprinkler Irrigation System, Iran, Gardener. INTRODUCTION World Bank predicted that by the year 2035, three billion people will live in the tough conditions because of water shortage (World Bank, 2009). According to the Human Development Report, by the year 2080 climate change would affect the life of many people throughout the world and more than 1.8 billion people would face water shortages (UNDP, 2007, p.30). Today, there are several major issues in connection with the water sector in developing and developed countries which include: water cycle, quality of life, equality of water, sustainability and human rights (Sohail and Cavill, 2006). In Iran, the policy of government has been to increase agricultural production for various reasons, such as price stability, improved per capita income and increased need for non-oil foreign exchange resources and this trend has become an unavoidable reality for agricultural sector. Increasing agricultural production has resulted in consumption of more water and there is no other way to change the amount of water used which is the equivalent of 130 billion cubic meters a year unless to use water more efficiently and to adopt new methods of irrigation. Consumption of water by agriculture sector in Iran has always been an issue of concerns which caused by high water losses in farm fields, farms inappropriate shape and size, lack of knowledge of farmers about making optimum use of water, rapid destruction of water infrastructure, loss in quality of irrigation networks, inappropriate methods of irrigation, irrigation efficiency and loss of water in irrigation systems (Keshavarz, 2000). Omani et al (2009) citing Keshavarz, Heydari, and Ashrafi (2003) pointed out that the overall irrigation efficiency in Iran ranges from 33 to 37%, which is lower than the average for both developing countries (45%) and developed countries (60%). 11

2 Unfortunately, inefficient use of water in the past decades has nearly reduced more than 40 meter in underground water level (Unit, 2005). Currently, the total water consumption is approximately 88.5 bm3, out of which more than 93% is used in agriculture, while less than 7% is allocated to urban and industrial consumption. Under the present situation 82.5 bm3 of water is utilized for irrigation on 7.5 million hectares of land under irrigated agriculture (Ommani & Noorivandi, 2003). In order to combat this problem, there is need for new technologies and methods to manage water more efficiently especially in agricultural sector (Karami, Rezaei-Moghaddam, and Ebrahimi., 2006). On one hand a more comprehensive water management is needed to achieve sustainable development and participatory mechanism could accelerate this process (Guterstan, 2008). On the other hand the principle of sustainable development is an essential imperative for the water industry which should be seen as an opportunity not a limitation (Asheley et al. 2003). Khorasan Razavi province is among regions in Iran with low rainfall. The amount of evaporation and transpiration of rainfall in this province is very significant which is 2 to 3 times higher than the average in country. According to the latest statistics, total volume of water consumption from surface water and groundwater is million cubic meters and more than 8445 million cubic meters of this amount used in agricultural sector. The traditional methods of water management have many problems and the best option currently to use for irrigating farms is sprinkler irrigation systems. The results of Study show that implementation of this irrigation method resulted in decreasing rate of water consumption from 12,000 cubic meters in hectare to 6,200 cubic meters (Vojdani, 2006). Despite, financial facilities which are allocated each year for farmers, the participation of farmers has not reached to a satisfactory level. Agricultural extension by its nature has an important role in promoting the adoption of new technologies and innovations. Extension organizations have a key role in brokering between providers of technologies and farmers. However, adopting is rarely instantaneous; the technology has to be taught and learned, adapted to experience, and integrated into production. As is often the case with technological innovation, potential and expectations can outpace reality (Bonati and Gelb, 2005). Omani et al (2009) citing Evenson (1997) pointed out to this fact that agricultural extension and education as achieving its highest economic impact and sustainability in agriculture by providing information to increase farmers awareness, knowledge, adoption and productivity. Therefore, understanding the extension mechanisms which would speed up the development and adoption of the sprinkler irrigation system in the township of Chenaran in Khorasan Razavi Province was investigated in this research. MATERIAL AND METHODS The methodology used in this study involved a combination of descriptive and quantitative research and included the use of correlation, regression and descriptive analysis as data processing methods. The total population for this study was 150 gardeners who adopted the sprinkler irrigation system. Data were collected by using questionnaire and through interview schedules. A series of in-depth interviews were conducted with some senior experts in the Department of Agriculture and Power in the Khorasan Razavi Province to develop the questionnaire. The questionnaire included both openended and fixed-choice questions. The open-ended questions were used to gather information not covered by the fixed-choice questions and to encourage participants to provide feedback. Content and face validity were established by a panel of experts consisting of faculty members at Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch and some experts in the Departments of Agriculture and Power. A pilot study was conducted with 25 specialists who had not been interviewed before the earlier exercise of determining the reliability of the questionnaire for the study. Computed Cronbach s Alpha score was 85.0%, which indicated reliability of the questionnaire. Independent variables in the study included extension mechanisms and personal characteristics of respondents. The dependent variable in this research study were the adoption of the sprinkler irrigation system by gardeners... For measurement of correlation between the independent variables and the dependent variable correlation coefficients have been utilized and include spearman test of independence. 12

3 RESULTS Table 1 summarizes the demographic profile and descriptive statistics of respondents. The results of descriptive statistics indicated that average age of respondents was 46 years old and majority of respondents did not have high school diploma. The study shows that average work experience was 19 years and the main occupation of respondents was farming and gardening. Approximately 43 percent of respondents owned their lands and the remainder either had a collective ownership or rented the land. Respondents were asked to respond the question about role of water shortages in implementing sprinkler irrigation system. As a result, 71 percent of respondents indicated that agricultural water shortage was the main factor in the implementation of the irrigation system. The perception of respondents about the sources which help them to acquire information about sprinkler irrigation systems was displayed in Table 2. The highest mean refers to extension agents (mean=3.58) and the lowest mean refers to experiment stations (mean=1.59). The results of perception of respondents about the role of communication channels which would influence the adoption of sprinkler irrigation systems by gardeners were displayed in Table 2. The results indicated that the highest mean number refers to extension agents (mean=4.11) and the lowest mean number refers to relatives (mean=1.67). The respondents perception about the role of extension mechanisms in adopting the sprinkler irrigation systems was displayed in Table 4. As can be seen from this table, the highest mean refers to visit by extension agents in agricultural service centers (mean=3.18) and the lowest mean refers to extension workshops (mean=2.57). Spearman coefficient was employed for measurement of relationships between perceptions of gardeners about the role of extension mechanisms in adopting the sprinkler irrigation system as dependent variable. Table 5 displays the results which show that there was relationship between perception of respondents about the age, visiting extension agents in the service centers, extension classes, visiting the sample farm and visiting extension agents in the field and adopting the sprinkler irrigation system. Table 6 shows the result for regression analysis by stepwise method. Independent variables that were significantly related to perception of respondents about role of extension mechanisms in adopting the sprinkler irrigation system were entered. The result indicates that 45% of the variance in the perception of gardeners about the role of extension mechanisms in adopting the sprinkler irrigation systems could be explained by visiting extension agents in service centers, extension classes, visiting extension agents in the field and visiting sample farm. CONCLUSION The perception of gardeners about the role of extension mechanisms in adopting sprinkler irrigation system was discussed in this article. As the regression analysis showed visiting sample farms, visiting extension agents in the service centers and field and extension classes caused 45% of variance on the perception of respondents regarding the role of extension mechanisms in adopting sprinkler irrigation systems. This result is consistent with Okunade (2007) conclusion in which skill is better acquired through group contact methods. These methods have the nature of practical demonstration which will help the clientele from desire stage through conviction and probably into taking action. The individual contact method is considered to be important tool to help farmers to adopt a new technology. This may be as a result of the nature of the methods of giving information and deeper understanding of the innovation concerned. Based on the results of the study by Chizari, etal. (1998) the majority of extension agents believed the result demonstration were the most effective method for teaching their clientele. Result demonstrations are the processes of showing farmers the impact of using a particular practice. The second most effective method identified by extension agents was method demonstration. Method demonstrations typically occur after result demonstrations. Based on the results of the mean score, respondents indicated that visiting extension agents in the service centers was the most effective individual extension method main in helping them to adopt the sprinkler irrigation systems. The results demonstrated that respondents preferred individual teaching methods compared with group 13

4 and mass methods. Although all agents use a variety of teaching methods, agricultural agents generally tend to use more individual methods than the other agents. Farm visits and on-farm demonstrations model the early farm demonstration method of providing research-based recommendations to the local producer. IMPLICATIONS The perception of gardeners about the extension mechanisms in adopting the sprinkler irrigation system was discussed in this article. The results demonstrated that visiting sample farms and face to face meetings with extension agents in service center and farms are the most important mechanisms in helping gardeners in adopting sprinkler irrigation systems. Successful adoption of this technology in Iran will depend on the appropriate government support and the authorities should develop policies that would overcome the challenges in adopting this method of irrigation. In Iran like some of the developing countries, there is not a clear understanding about role of the new methods of irrigation in sustainable water management in agriculture sector and policy makers have difficulty in prioritizing the policies and strategies. In this regard, public involvement will enhance and accelerate the adoption process. REFERENCES Ashley, R., Blackwood, D., Butler, D., Davies, J., Jowitt, P., & Smith, H. (2003). Sustainable decision making for UK water industry. Engineering Sustainability, 1, Bonati, G., and Gelb, E. (2005) 'Evaluating internet for extension in agriculture.' In: gelb, B. And Offer, A. (ed.), ICT in Agriculture: Perspectives of Technological Innovation, Paris: European Federation for Information Technologies in Agriculture, Food and the Environment. Chizari, M., Karbasioun, M., and Lindner, J.R. (1998). Obstacles facing extension agents in the development and delivery of extension educational programs for adult farmers in the Province of Esfahan, Iran. Journal of Agricultural Education, 1, Evenson, R. (1997). The economic contributions of agricultural extension to agricultural and rural development. In Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (eds.) Improving agricultural extension. FAO. Rom. pp Guterstam, B. (2008). Toward Sustainable Water Resource Management in Central Asia. [on-line] Available: Guterstam.pdf Karami, E., Rezaei-Moghaddam, K., & Ebrahimi, H. (2006). Predicting sprinkler irrigation adoption: Comparison of models. Journal of Science and Technology of Agricultural and Natural Resources, 1, Keshavarz, A. (2000). Recommendation on policies and programs about water and irrigation in Iran. Tehran: Agricultural Extension Organization. Keshavarz, A., Heydari, N., and Ashrafi, S. (2003). Management of agricultural water consumption, drought, and supply of water for future demands. pp In: Proceedings of the Seventh International Conference on the Development of Dryland, September 14 17, 2003, Tehran, Iran. Okunade, E.O. (2007). Effectiveness of extension teaching methods in acquiring knowledge, skills and attitude by women farmers in Osun State. Journal of Applied Science Research, 4, Ommani, A. R., Chizari, M., Salmanzadeh, C., & Hosaini, J. (2009). Predicting Adoption Behavior of Farmers Regarding On-Farm Sustainable Water Resources Management (SWRM): Comparison of Models. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture, 5, Ommani, A.R., & Noorivandi, A. (2003). Water as food security resource (Crises and Strategies). Jihad Monthly Scientific, Social and Economic Magazine, 255,

5 Sohail, M., and Cavill, S. (2006). Ethics: making it the heart of water supply. Civil Engineering, 5, UNDP. (2007). Human Development Report 2007/2008. [on-line] Available: Vojdani, M. (2006). Assessing factors influencing the adoption of irrigation technologies by farmers in Township of Bahar. Master Thesis in Agricultural Extension and Education, Tehran, Iran. World Bank. (2009). Water Resource Management. [on-line] Available : upk: ~pagepk:148956~pipk:216618~thesitepk: ,00.html Main Occupation Farming and Gardening (44%) Gardening (24.0%) Age (year) Mean=46 Work Experience (Year) Mean=19 Educational level Secondary School (75%) Diploma (25%) Amount of land owned (Hectares) Mean= 10.5 Table 1. Personal Characteristics of Respondents. Sources Mean and Standard Deviation Mean SD Extension Agents Rural Cooperatives Agricultural Magazines Agricultural Input suppliers Local Leaders Neighbors Rural Service Centers Relatives Experiment Stations Table 2. Means of respondents views about the sources which help them to acquire information about sprinkler irrigation system (1=Too little; 5=Too much). 15

6 Communication Channels Mean and Standard Deviation Mean SD Extension Agents Television Visit the sample farm Rural organizations Printing Materials Private Sector Local Leaders Radio Neighbors Researchers Relatives Table 3. Means of respondents views about the role communication channels which influence the adoption of sprinkler irrigation systems by gardeners (1=strongly disagree; 5=strongly agree). Extension Mechanisms Mean and Standard Deviation Mean SD Visiting extension agents in service centers Extension Classes Visit the sample farm Extension films Visiting extension agents in the field Workshops Table 4. Means of respondents views about the role of extension mechanisms in adopting sprinkler irrigation systems by gardeners (1=strongly disagree; 5=strongly agree). Independent variables Dependent variable Gardeners Age Adoption of Sprinkler Irrigation System ** Workshop Adoption of Sprinkler Irrigation System Visiting Extension Agents in service centers Adoption of Sprinkler Irrigation System * Working Experience Adoption of Sprinkler Irrigation System ** Extension Classes Adoption of Sprinkler Irrigation System * Visiting the Sample Farm Adoption of Sprinkler Irrigation System * Extension films Adoption of Sprinkler Irrigation System Visiting extension agents in the field Adoption of Sprinkler Irrigation System * **p<0.01, *p<0.05. Table5. Correlation measures between independent variables and perception of respondents about role of extension mechanisms in adopting the sprinkler irrigation system 16 r Sig.

7 B Beta T Sig. Constant Visiting extension agents in service centers Extension classes Visiting extension agents in field Visiting the sample farm R 2 =0.45 Table 6. Multivariate Regression Analysis (adopting the sprinkler irrigation system as dependent variable). 17