IMPACT OF AGRICULTURAL TRAINING COURSES ON APPLYING MODERN AND EFFICIENT IRRIGATION METHODS AMONG FARMERS IN TABRIZ, IRAN (TREATMENT EFFECT APPROACH)

Abstract

Purpose: Many experts believe that the lack of an efficient water management system in agriculture has made it essential to redesign new irrigation models adopted in many successful countries across the world. Improving water productivity in the agriculture sector is undoubtedly one of the crucial measures taken to improve water resource management. Water productivity in Iran's agriculture is about one-fifth of the global standard. Many assume that accurate training courses for farmers or granting production facilities and loans for agriculturists are beneficial steps to use efficient and effective irrigation methods and a subsequent considerable saving in water consumption.
 Design/methodology/approach: This study aims to apply the Treatment Effect Approach to examine the impact of academic or promotional training courses for irrigation efficiency on the application of modern and efficient irrigation methods, by farmers. To do this, 132 trained farmers were assigned to the treatment or test groups, and 212 untrained farmers in Tabriz were assigned to the control group in the crop year 2020. 
 Findings: Results indicated a positive and significant impact of agriculture education and training courses on the probability of using efficient irrigation techniques. In other words, agriculture knowledge increases the probability of using modern irrigation methods up to 344.25. 
 Originality: It is suggested that agricultural policies must grant loans and facilities to agriculturists or those farmers who have received purposeful training courses about the application of efficient irrigation methods.