Document Type : Original Article

Authors

• Ali Reza Tavakoli ¹
• Mohammad Khorramiyan ²
• Javad Ghasemi ³

¹ Associate professor, Agricultural Engineering Research Institute. Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Karaj, Iran.

² Assistant professor, Safiabad Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education & Extension Organization (AREEO), Dezful, Iran

³ Assistant Professor, Institute of Agricultural Education and Extension, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Introduction
Extension activities to improve irrigation and farm management will have an effective role in increasing yield and optimal use of water and soil resources. Yield gap is considered as one of the important issues in farm management, and it is very important to know the factors affecting it. One of the problems of farmers is their little knowledge in the field of water and soil. If they have access to modern knowledge and farm management, they can make an effective contribution in managing water use and increasing production. One of the solutions that can be effective in the field of optimal management of water consumption and other production inputs is to increase the knowledge, attitude and skills of farmers. The main goal of this research was to investigate and analyze the role of extension activities implemented in model sites located in the northern region of Khuzestan province in increasing yield and improving water productivity.
 Materials and Methods
The intended extension method in this research was a model site based on which each model site has a main user and between 20 and 25 functional users. Functional units included farmers who, while visiting the main site, applied all or part of the recommendations used in the main site in their own farm.
In order to transfer knowledge, increase yield and water productivity at on-farm scale, 52 extension model sites in the regions of  Dezful, Shush, Shushtar and Andimeshk located in the north of Khuzestan, Iran, (2017-2019) and in the technical packages (balanced nutrition, cultivation, optimal length of border irrigation, cultivar, low tillage methods, modified irrigation method) were done according to different crops. The crops were included wheat, corn, rapeseed, sugar beet, mung bean, onion, cabbage, lettuce, eggplant, beans and citrus fruits. In addition to model sites, control farms under traditional management were also investigated and evaluated. The result of comparing the average values of advanced management treatment (main site) and traditional management (control) was with t-test indicates the existence of a significant difference in yield and water productivity. Water productivity was obtained from the ratio of yield (kg/ha) to irrigation water. The guaranteed selling price of wheat, rapeseed and sugar (beet) was 115 thousand rials, 235 thousand rials and 230 thousand rials, respectively. All measures in two parts of the farm were carried out by the operator under technical supervision and all measurements were carried out by the researcher.
 Results and Discussion
The results of extension activities conducted by researchers and agricultural experts in the farmer condition and with the participation of 1201 of them, showed that if the results are widespread, the total amount of crop production will increase despite the reduction in irrigation water consumption. The amount of expected increase in the production of wheat, rapeseed, sugar, corn, mung bean and citrus fruits in Shush region was 14857 tons, 13347 tons, 8303 tons, 6225 tons, 221 tons and 870 tons respectively; The expected increase in the production of wheat, rapeseed and beans in Shushtar region was 19750 tons, 2028 tons and 83 tons, respectively; The expected increase in the production of wheat, rapeseed and beans in Shushtar region was 19750 tons, 2028 tons and 83 tons, respectively; The expected increase in wheat, corn and eggplant production in Andimshek region was 21966 tons, 3792 tons and 71 tons respectively and The expected increase in the production of wheat, rapeseed, sugar, corn, onion, lettuce, cabbage and citrus in Dezful region was 9447 tons, 20107 tons, 717 tons, 1594 tons, 2478 tons, 3610 tons, 5749 tons and 19232 tons respectively. The increase in water productivity by using specific technical packages for each crops compared to the control for wheat, rapeseed, sugar beet, corn and citrus fruits in the model sites compared to functional units were 10, 24.1, 11, 14.3 and 66.1 percent respectively and The increase in water productivity by using specific technical packages for each crops compared to the control for wheat, rapeseed, sugar beet, corn and citrus fruits in the model sites compared to functional units were 10, 9.6, 35.3, 21.4, and 168% respectively.
Conclusions
Considering the nature of the model sites, which is accompanied by the participation of the users in the processes of learning and applying techniques, the continuation of these activities can help the development and sustainability of the aforementioned achievements.

Keywords

• Agricultural Extension
• Model Sites
• Production Increase
• Reduce water use

Main Subjects

• Water Resources and Consumption