Lisrel Analysis of Factors Influencing the Optimizing Agricultural Water Resources Management in Rural Iran

Problem Statement Agricultural water management (AWM) is not a goal in itself but part of a process of resource management that provides a critical input to agricultural production and farmer incomes. Today, huge losses in irrigation systems and poor water management practices worsen the water crises that already exist. Water users were surveyed in order to explore their perception about the factors influencing the optimizing water consumption in agricultural sectors in Iran. In addition, this study aims to identify effective mechanism in order to empowering producers in agricultural water resources management. Approach The methodology used in this study involved a combination of descriptive and quantitative research. The total population was 350 producers from six provinces in Iran. Results Structural equation model is expected to be useful for designing targeted optimizing agricultural water resources management. Explained the total variance by four factors (Governmental activities, Physical and individual characteristic, Extension programs and Mechanism used by producers) is 37% and the rest of explained variance by the other factors is not included in the research. The most direct efficiency related to activities done by the government to manage agriculture water resources and total efficiency also related to this factor in order to cure the agriculture water management.