The impact of social and economic factors on farmers’ willingness to participate in the management of use and maintenance of the irrigation network at the downstream area of Sattar Khan Dam, Ahar

Abstract

Water is considered as one of the most vital factor in human survival. Absolute limitation of this vital substance as a renewable source and placement of considerable parts of country lands in arid and semiarid areas have caused agriculture section confront wide limitations of water resources. Hence water resource management, maintenance and preservation are considered vital for our country. To achieve this goal, beneficiaries' cooperation is considered essential in irrigation management. Present investigation was carried out in coastal lands of Ahar Sattar Khan Dam. The main aim of present study is to explain factors influencing beneficiaries' tendency to cooperate in utilization and maintenance management of irrigation channel. Statistical population of present investigation involves all 1624 beneficiaries of Ahar Sattar Khan Dam coastal lands. Number of beneficiaries needed for sample size calculated using Cochran reviewed formula. 260 beneficiaries were selected by classifying and proportional sampling method. Research method of present study is survey and data were gathered using questioner and interview. Questioner reliability was acceptable calculating Alpha Kronbach coefficient (0.78). Results obtained from this investigation indicated that 77.5% of beneficiaries are inclined to cooperate in irrigation management and 22.5% were reluctant There is a meaningful relation between willingness to participate and the variables of the extent of land ownership, agricultural income, number of children, non-agricultural income and gender. Results of legit regression showed that about 80 percent of dependent variable changes were related to the extent of land ownership, agricultural income, non-agricultural income and agricultural history.