Analysis of the efficiency of irrigation technologies in Kermanshah province based on the technology atlas model

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Faculty of Agriculture, Razi University, Kermanshah , Iran.

2 Department of agricultural extension and education, Faculty of agriculture, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran .

3 Department of Agricultural Economy, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, Iran.

Abstract

Objective: The study evaluated the effectiveness of existing irrigation technologies in Kermanshah Province, Iran, focusing on the contribution of different technological dimensions. The Technology Atlas Model was used to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each dimension.
 
Method: The study used an applied survey design involving 90 farmers, agricultural experts, and professional association members selected through judgmental sampling. Data were collected using an adapted Technology Atlas Model questionnaire, whose validity was confirmed by experts and reliability by Cronbach’s alpha (α = 0.78). The Technology Atlas Method was then used to assess the relative importance, priority, and contribution of each technology component to water-use efficiency.
 
Results: The respective contribution of each technology dimension, including org-ware, tech-ware, human-ware, and info-ware, is equal: OβO = 0.21, Tβt = 0.20, Hβh = 0.08, and Iβi = 0.05. Accordingly, the current prioritization of irrigation technology dimensions in Kermanshah Province was ranked as Orgaware > Technoware > Humanware > Infoware (O › T › H › I). The overall importance of all technological dimensions was measured using an index known as the Technology Contribution Coefficient (TCC), which was calculated to be 0.54.
 
Conclusions: This index, representing the aggregated status of the four technological dimensions, indicates that the overall level of attention and investment in the various dimensions of irrigation technologies in Kermanshah Province has currently reached only 54% of its optimal capacity. More than half of the potential capacity remains untapped. The findings of the study can be applied in the management, design, and development of irrigation technologies within the agricultural sector.

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Main Subjects


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