Factors Affecting Farmer's Satisfaction with Water Users Associations Performance at Gotvand Irrigation Scheme in Khuzestan Province, Iran

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the farmer's satisfaction with services delivered by Water User Associations (WUAs) and determine the factors affecting farmer's satisfaction with the WUAs. Stratified sampling was used to select 124 farmer members of WUAs in the Gotvand irrigation scheme (GIS). A researcher-made questionnaire was employed for data collection. Its validity was confirmed by content validity, and its total reliability was estimated by Cronbach's alpha as to be 0.73. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics to describe WUAs performance; ordinal logistic regression was also used to determine the relationship between physical, socio-economic characteristics of region context and farmer's satisfaction. Results revealed that although the WUAs performance in operation, maintenance, repair, and management is medium, these WUAs are successful in the collection of irrigation service fees. Status of maintenance and repair in GIS is a very essential factor in farmer satisfaction with the WUAs, and its status is dependent on the strength of the WUA connection with government authorities. Therefore, it is recommended that maintenance and repair management be transferred to the WUAs.