Farmer´s attitude to water user association participation management, based on gender analysis

Water user associations had positive effects both on water delivery and production, reduce inflicts, collect water fees. This paper based on gender separation data obtained in Gaotai county of Gansu province China, presents two logistic regression analysis to study the main factors influence male and female´s attitude to join in water user association management. The results suggests (1) the most important factors influencing male´s inclination to join a water user association are: education level, good state of health, high level of self-confidence, good state of household income, adequate household labor force, adequate arable land size. (2) The most important factors influence female´s inclination to join water user association are: education level, good state of health, high level of self-confidence, household size, Support of family members. Other variables are not statistically significant. Finally, there are some policy suggestions to promote farmer´s participation and improve gender equality in water management.