Study the effect of channels lining on water productivity and economy of farmers in Razavi Khorasan Province, Iran

This study investigated the effect of channels lining on water productivity and economy of farmers in mashhad and kalat regions of Razavi Khorasan Province, Iran in 2009. Abgarm and Zavin channels in Kalat region and Sultanabad and Gonabad channels in Mashhad region was selected. First Data as: planting pattern, cultivated area, yield, water use of different crops and labor costs before and after the implementation of channels lining and fixed and current costs of channels lining were collected in the form of a questionnaire. The uniform annual cost of channels lining were compared with increase in annual income of farmers. Results of analysis of questionnaires showed farmers with water savings resulting from channels lining and remove the large part of water losses, increased yield or cultivated area of crops. Results showed that water productivity in farms and orchards lands of research regions before and after of channels lining was not different. By comparing the annual uniform cost of channels lining with increase in annual income of farmers, the result was that channels lining makes economic prosperity for farmers. The annual income of farmers in Abgarm, Zavin, Sultanabad and Gonabad villages increased 84, 13, 83 and 63 percent, respectively.