Attitudes of farmers toward participation in irrigation and drainage projects: the structural equations modeling analysis

Application of modern irrigation and drainage canals for efficient use of water resources is necessary. Thus, identifying the factors influencing farmers’ attitudes toward participation in irrigation and drainage projects (IDP) is essential. The purpose of this study is to identify factors affecting attitude toward participation in IDP in Syakh Darenjan, Fars Province, Iran. Stratified random sampling was used to collect data from 207 farmers as the research sample. The reliability and validity of the questionnaire were tested. The results of structural equations modeling from the total sample showed that farmers attitude toward participation was affected by social cohesion, perceived behavioral control, social norms and attitudes toward water resources management variables. The results also revealed that social cohesion variable in adopter group and perceived behavioral control variable in the non-adopter group had the most significant effect on the farmers’ attitude toward participation in IDP.