Educational Needs of Operators and Beneficiaries of Classical Pressurized Irrigation Systems in Golestan Province

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Associate Prof., Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Faculty of Agricultural Management, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Iran;

2 کارشناس ارشد سازمان جهاد کشاورزی استان گلستان؛

3 Associate Prof., Dept. of Agricultural Extension and Education, Tehran University;

Abstract

Optimizing the management of water resources and improving irrigation efficiency is not possible without the beneficiaries' education. Also, identifying the educational needs of the beneficiaries is the first step in designing the educational programs that are to be executed for optimizing management of water resources and improving irrigation efficiency. This study investigated the educational needs of beneficiaries of classical pressurized irrigation systems (CPIS) in Golestan province. The geographical region of study covered Gorgan, Gonbad, Kalaleh, Minoodasht, Ali Abad, Kordkuy, Aqqala, Bandar Turkmen, and Bandar Gaz in Golestan province. The study included 84 CPIS beneficiaries who were chosen randomly. Research tool was a questionnaire, and to determine the validity of questionnaire, 5 faculty members of research institutions and centers and several officials involved in irrigation projects and agricultural extension were consulted. The results showed that the most important educational needs of the beneficiaries included pump maintenance, shifting and replacement of irrigation laterals during operation of the system, connecting pumping system to the regulating valve, restoring the pump discharge pressure and flow rate, distributing of soluble fertilizers through the system, removing the notches in the main and secondary pipes and care and maintenance of pump. Also, there was a significant correlation between age, educational level and experience, irrigated acreage of the beneficiaries before installing the system, water extraction rates and educational needs of beneficiaries of CPIS. This study calls attention to preparation of educational courses on classical irrigation systems with emphasis on educational needs of the operators and beneficiaries. 

Keywords

Journal of Water Research in Agriculture
Volume 27, Issue 2
April 2013
Pages 171-180

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