Journal of Agricultural Economics & Development

Abstract Groundwater is a vital resource for agriculture in arid regions which its over-extraction has led to significant challenges of declining water levels and increased scarcity. This study addresses the urgent need for sustainable groundwater management by employing an inclusive group decision-making approach involving diverse stakeholders, with a focus on farmers. Overlooking the participation of farmers in the decision-making approach led to ineffective policies. Utilizing Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) methods, specifically the fuzzy Shannon entropy and Fuzzy TOPSIS techniques, the research prioritizes strategies for reducing groundwater consumption in the Safi-Abad region of North Khorasan, Iran. Qualitative data from stakeholder interviews provided insights into the challenges and opportunities related to groundwater use, revealing two primary strategies: (i) transitioning to low water-demand crops; and (ii) adopting modern irrigation systems. These approaches not only promise significant reductions in water usage but also support sustainable agricultural practices. The findings highlighted the importance of stakeholder collaboration in implementing effective water management policies, ensuring responsible resource use, and securing long-term viability. This study served as a model for future research, advocating for mixed methods integrating qualitative and quantitative analyses to inform policy recommendations and improve water resource management.

Abstract Abstract
The main purpose of the present study was to investigate personal and professional factors influencing farmers' perception towards problems of agricultural water management in Karaj County The Statistical Population of the study consisted of 5297 farmers in Karaj County out of which 142 farmers were selected as sample using Cochran Formula for determining the sample size and stratified proportionate random sampling technique for reaching the samples. A questionnaire was developed for gathering data and information. It was validated through getting the viewpoints of some faculty members of the Department of agricultural Extension and Education, University of Tehran as well as some staff experts of the Ministries of Jihade-Agriculture and Power. The reliability of the main scale of the questionnaire was approved by Cronbach Alpha Coefficient which was equal to 0.76 indicated the tool of study is reliable. The data were later analyzed by SPSS-win. The results indicated that there was significant and positive relationship between farmers perception towards problems of agricultural water management with their farming experience. In addition, the findings revealed that different groups of farmers classified based on grouping variable such as use of credit, water resources possession, educational level, farming systems, different technologies used for water exploitation were significantly different in terms of perception towards problems of agricultural water management. In addition farmers categorized based on variables such as farming systems and water transfer method were significantly different in terms of facing problems of agricultural water management as showed by Kruskal Wallis. According to an overall conclusion, four factors viz., education, credit, technology and farming system structure are highly influential on reducing problems of agricultural water management.

Abstract Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to investigate and analyze the influence of water users’ cooperative (WUC) on farmers’ attitudes toward optimum agricultural water management practices with an approach to compare the two groups of farmers in irrigation networks with WUC and without it. The research method was a descriptive-correlational and causal-comparative study of the survey type. The target population in the study was the entire farmers of irrigation networks in Khorasan-Razavi Province. Using stratified random sampling technique, 335 participants were selected as a statistical. The content and face validity of the questionnaire was specified after several times of review and correction by the faculty members at Tarbiat Modarres University and the executive experts of Agricultural Jihad Organization and Regional Water Joint-stock Company in Khorasan-Razavi Province. The reliability analysis was conducted and Cronbach’s alpha values for the various sections of instrument were estimated to be between 0.73 and 0.86. The results of descriptive findings showed that attitude rate more than half of studied farmers (55.1%) regarding agricultural water management were at positive relatively and positive levels. Moreover, the results from statistical analyses indicated that WUC was very effective on the development of factors related to the social, human, physical, financial, and natural capitals, so that the WUC irrigation network with increases in the components of social confidence, solidarity, and participation, improved extension contacts, developed appropriate information channels, improved the status of regional irrigation system, and increased water users’ participation in irrigation water management were more effective on farmers’ attitudes toward the development and application of agricultural water management strategies such as under-pressure irrigation technology compared to non-WUC irrigation networks.