Pricing Water in the Irrigation Network of Sistan Province

ABSTRACT: Price is a tool that market’s economy uses for doing its own business. The price of agricultural products plays a significant role in encouraging farmers to produce. In contemporary age, fixing a price for water (in irrigation networks and the methods for reducing price) is a considerable and fundamental issue. The aims of this pricing act are efficient use of water and strengthening its distribution. This paper scrutinizes comparatively the methods of water pricing in the Sistan province. It is worth to mention that Sistan province lacks sub and surface water grounds. Hirmand river is the only secure source of water. To substantiate this study, we are using information that has been collected through 50 questionnaires. The information and data are collected from agricultural experts, directors of water & cultivation sectors, and farmers. The calculated price for water is based on the cultivation area, percentage of production, and volume of water consumed. Arguably, fixing a price for water in the areas of fodder cultivation and gardening should be based on the volume of water consumed; and in the area of strategic production based on a percentage of production