Identification of behavioral components of water literacy from the perspective of institutional stakeholders and key informants in the agricultural sector: A case study of the Agricultural Jihad organization in Qarchak county, Iran
Subject Areas :
Mohammad Amotaghi
1
,
Sahar Faeghi
2
1 - Master's Student in Public Administration, Deptment of Management, Faculty of Islamic governance, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
2 - Department of Management, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
Keywords: Agricultural Jihad, Behavioral water literacy components, Farmers, Key institutional stakeholders, Qarchak county, Thematic analysis,
Abstract :
Water literacy is an emerging concept in water demand management research and a valuable tool for improving public awareness about water-related issues. It provides a framework for assessing society's knowledge, attitude, and behaviors toward water. This study aimed to redefine and identify the components of water literacy from the perspectives of institutional stakeholders and key informants within the Agricultural Jihad sector of Qarchak County. Using a qualitative approach and thematic analysis, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 17 key informants selected via purposive homogeneous sampling. These participants, who were knowledgeable about farmers’ water literacy and experienced in water management practices, provided insights that were analyzed to identify key themes. The findings revealed 10 overarching categories of water literacy components: optimizing water resources in agriculture (e.g., adopting modern irrigation technologies); sustainable management of underground water resources (e.g., groundwater conservation); water storage and management (e.g., improving water storage infrastructure); utilizing low-water greenhouse cultivation technologies (e.g., adapting greenhouse cultivation types); equitable access to water resources (e.g., fair water distribution); enhancing local participation (e.g., involving local communities in water management); sustainable utilization of water resources (e.g., recycling and reducing waste); conserving freshwater resources (e.g., minimizing freshwater consumption in agricultural practices); prioritizing wastewater treatment for reuse (e.g., emphasizing water recycling); and reducing water pollution (e.g., decreasing chemical pesticide use). The results indicate that by applying these dimensions and components of behavioral water literacy, tailored to the capabilities, technologies, infrastructures, and resources available in Qarchak County's agricultural sector, it is possible to effectively modify and improve farmers' practices and actions.
Afsari, A., Haji Naseri, S., Fazeli, M., & Feirahi, D. (2018). A sociological examination of water governance in lake Urmia crisis: Grounded theory model. Strategic Studies of public policy, 7(25), 53-72. (In Persian)
Afshani, S., & Shiri-Mohammadbadi, H. (2020). Evaluation of benefactors and key informed people of Yazd province on operational strategies for utilizing social capacities for sustainable management of water resources. Community Development (Rural and Urban), 12(1), 305-331. https://doi.org/10.22059/JRD.2021.312355.668594. (In Persian)
Asadollahzadeh Mousavi, M. (2011). Study of social factors affecting water consumption patterns in the city of Babol, Master's Thesis, Babolsar: University of Mazandaran, Iran. (In Persian)
Attride–Stirling, J. (2001). Thematic networks: An analytic tool for qualitative research. Qualitative Research, 1(3), 385-405.
Babaee, O., & Alijani, B. (2013). Spatial analysis of long duration droughts in Iran. Physical Geography Research, 45(3), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.22059/jphgr.2013.35831. (In Persian)
Behboudi, D., & Ghorbani, F. (2023). Analyzing the leverage points of qualitative system dynamic model of water governance (Case study: Qarranqu basin). Iran-Water Resources Research, 19(1), 22-45. (In Persian). https://dorl.net/dor/20.1001.1.17352347.1402.19.1.2.7
Besthenegar, M., & Alizadeh, S. (2013). Project stakeholder analysis. Publications of the 8th International Project Management Conference, pp.1-6. (In Persian)
Cheshmi, M., & Ahmadi ¬Seyedabadi, S. (2016). The role of water sociology in water consumption management and water crisis reduction. University of Tehran, Iranian Congress of Water and Wastewater Engineering Sciences, 1149. (In Persian)
Cooper, C., & Cockerill, K. (2015).Water quantity perceptions in Northwestern North Carolina: Comparing college student and public survey responses. Southwest. Geogr, 55, 386–399.
Daneshmehr, H., Ahmadrash, R., & Karimi, A. (2019). Perceptional understanding by local elites and people around the Zab River’s water transfer to Urumieh lake. Quarterly of Social Studies and Research in Iran, 8(1), 1-32. https://doi.org/10.22059/jisr.2019.260880.707. (In Persian)
Dean, A.J., Fielding, K.S., & Newton, F.J. (2016). Community knowledge about water: Who has better knowledge and is this associated with water-related behaviors and support for water-related policies? PLoS ONE, 11. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0159063
Defries, R., & Nagendra, H. (2017). Ecosystem management as a wicked problem. Science, 356, 265–270. https://doi.org/10.22059/jrd.2021.312355.668594
Evans, E.N. (1992). Liberation theology, empowerment theory and social work practice with the oppressed. International Social Work, 35, 135-147.
Fazeli, M. (2018). Paying attention to the social dimensions of water literacy in schools/our country is facing the "problem" of water, not the water crisis, Working group and brainstorming session on promoting water knowledge and literacy. https://wnn.wrm.ir/cs/NewsCrawler/559/30425. (In Persian)
Goodarzi, S., Shabanali Fami, H., Movahedmohmmadi, H., & Jalalzadeh, M. (2012). Challenges of agricultural water management in Karaj County: Farmers’ viewpoints. Iranian Journal of Agricultural Economics and Development Research, 42(2), 243-253. https://doi.org/20.1001.1.20084838.1390.42.2.9.2. (In Persian)
Hawke, S.M. (2012). Water literacy: Another wise, active and cross-cultural approach to pedagogy, sustainability and human rights. Continuum, 26: 235–247. https://doi.org/10.1080/10304312.2012.664120
Iman, M.T., & Noshadi, M. R. (2011). Qualitative content analysis, Research Quarterly, 3 (2): 15-44. (In Persian)
Jamshidi, S., & Dehghani, H. (2021). Water literacy evaluation in urban society (Case study: Isfahan city). Journal of Environmental Studies, 46(4), 683-702. https://doi.org/10.22059/jes.2021.322250.1008160. (In Persian)
Kashi ¬Nahanji, V. (2011). Health literacy in schools, Tehran: Kebatdar, 1st edition, Volume 1. (In Persian)
Laport, E., Ariganello, S., Samples, A., & Diana, J. (2013). Water literacy. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/37824
Lockwood, M., Davidson, J., Curtis, A., Stratford, E., & Griffith, R. (2010). Governance principles for natural resource management. Society and Natural Resources, 23(10), 986-1001. https://doi.org/10.1080/08941920802178214
Luyet, V., Schlaepfer, R., Parlange, M. B., & Buttler, A. (2012). A framework to implement stakeholder participation in environmental projects. Journal of Environmental Management, 111, 213-219. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2012.06.026
Madani, K. (2014). Water management in Iran: what is causing the looming crisis? Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, 4, 315–328. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13412-014-0182-z
Mehr News Agency. (2015). The contribution of Qarchaki farmers to the tables of the people of the capital: Mehr News Agency: No. 2587188. (In Persian)
Moayeri, M., & Salmanmahiny, A. (2015). Stakeholders and criteria for their identification in natural resources management (Case study: Golestan province forests). Journal of Wood and Forest Science and Technology, 21(4), 23-40. https://doi.org/20.1001.1.23222077.1393.21.4.2.3. (In Persian)
Mohammadpour, A. (2013). Beyond: Philosophical and practical foundations of integrated research method in behavioral sciences, Sociologists Publications, Tehran. (In Persian)
Nascimento, LCN., Souza, TV., Oliveira, ICS., Moraes, JRMM., Aguiar, RCB., & Silva, LF. (2018). Theoretical saturation in qualitative research: an experience report in interview with schoolchildren. Rev Bras Enferm, 71(1), 228-33. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2016-0616
Ningi, T., Taruvinga, A., Zhou, L., & Ngarava, S. (2022). Determinants of water security for rural households: Empirical evidence from Melani and Hamburg communities, Eastern Cape, South Africa. South African Journal for Science and Technology, 40(1), 37-49. https://doi.org/10.36303/SATNT.2021.40.1.802
Nkiaka, E. (2022). Exploring the socioeconomic determinants of water security in developing regions. Water Policy, 24(4), 608-625. https://doi.org/10.2166/wp.2022.149
Rahmani, S., Yazdanpanah, M., Forouzani, M., & Abdeshahi, A. (2018). Investigating farmers' beliefs and strategies to adapt to water scarcity and factors affecting them in Mamassani county. Journal of Water Research in Agriculture, 32(2), 321-340. https://doi.org/10.22092/jwra.2018.116973. (In Persian)
Razzaghi Borkhani, F., Azizi Khalkheili, T., & Barati, A. (2024). Analysing the most important variables affecting agricultural water security in Mazandaran province. Journal of Agricultural Economics and Development, 38(3), 294-279. https://doi.org/10.22067/jead.2024.87497.1260. (In Persian)
Rieckmann, M., Mindt, L., & Gardiner, S. (2017). Education for sustainable development: Learning objectives; United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization: Paris, France.
Saldena, J (2016). The Coding manual for qualitative researchers, Translated by Abdullah Gaviyan, Tehran: Scientific and Cultural Publications. (In Persian)
Tatar, M., Papzan, A., & Ahmadvand, M. (2018). Agricultural water conflict management in Gawshan Basin: Solutions based on cooperation strategy. Iranian Agricultural Extension and Education Journal, 14(1), 91-111. (In Persian)
Wood, G.V. (2014). Water literacy and citizenship: Education for sustainable domestic wateruse in the East Midlands. PhD Thesis, University of Nottingham. Access from the University of Nottingham Repository.
Zahedinia, SH., Shahbazi, A., & Veisi, H. (2014). Water literacy, the foundation of optimal water management in Iran, National Conference on Water, Humans, Land, Governmental and Public Organizations and Centers, 1, 1-7. (In Persian)
Zarabi, E., & Farid Tehrani, S. (2009). Participatory approach in renovation and rehabilitation of deteriorated urban fabrics. Armanshahr Architecture & Urban Development Journal, 2, 39-46.
