M A; S M
Abstract
Khuzestan province is considered as one of Iran's agricultural hubs, food production andsupply make it necessary to use water and soil resources to the optimum potential.Agricultural drainage waters, with their high volume and decentralized nature, are the mainsource of return flow to the Karun River. ...
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Khuzestan province is considered as one of Iran's agricultural hubs, food production andsupply make it necessary to use water and soil resources to the optimum potential.Agricultural drainage waters, with their high volume and decentralized nature, are the mainsource of return flow to the Karun River. These sources include pesticides and nutrients(nitrate, phosphate) and have high pollution. The purpose of this study was to estimatefarmers’ willingness to pay to reduce water pollution. The study method was surveying withHeckman method and using data from 120 farmers in the Molasany District, in 2012 .Theresults showed that 85 percent of farmers were willing to pay for reducing pollution of theriver. Also, variables such as age, suggested price, family members, and cause of riverpollution had negative and significant effects on people willingness to pay. But, income,education, farmers’ vision, the amount of damage, land ownership, and land size hadsignificant and positive effects. Average of farmers’ willingness to pay for reducing waterpollution was 188,000 Rials ($13 US) per year.