Exploring the role of effective governance in enhancing agricultural water management: the case study of Hasanabad district of Eslamabad-e Gharb County

A B S T R A C T
The increasing limitations of water resources, coupled with growing population pressures and the rising demand for food production and water, highlight the need for a precise and practical strategy grounded in decentralized and participatory management. Recognizing the critical importance of agricultural water resources and their optimal management, this study aims to investigate the effects of good governance on agricultural water resource management in Eslamabad-e Gharb County. The statistical population consists of household heads engaged in agricultural activities. The sample size was estimated using Cochran's formula to be 331. Initially, 54 components were considered for the study, though six components were excluded due to insufficient adequacy. The results of the initial evaluation of the measurement model demonstrated its suitability. The structural model results revealed a significant relationship between good governance and the management of agricultural water resources. The governance factor had the greatest impact on the environmental index and the least on the economic index. Additionally, the MAIRCA technique identified three villages, such as Dalo Hasanabad, Mohammad Ali Khani, and Darkhur Hasanabad, as being in a more favorable position regarding agricultural water resource management. The findings highlight that achieving optimal management of water resources and ensuring their maximum and efficient utilization requires multiple processes. Key elements in this process include raising awareness, fostering active participation from farmers in water policy development, enforcing legislation, adopting new and efficient technologies, and employing methods to mitigate water scarcity and drought stress.
Extended abstract
Introduction
Water management is a multifaceted issue that cannot be effectively addressed solely within the confines of the water sector or from a singular perspective. It constitutes a developmental challenge that requires coordination and collaboration among diverse stakeholders. Earlier studies indicated that decision-making institutions and organizations within the water sector often operate inefficiently, exhibiting fragmented structures and decisions that are frequently conflicting or overlapping. The current lack of a comprehensive rural governance framework has resulted in predominantly top-down approaches, leading to suboptimal outcomes in planning and implementation processes. Hence, the present study examines the impact of effective rural governance on the management of agricultural water resources in the Hasanabad district of Eslamabad-e Gharb County.
 
Methodology 
The study employed a quantitative approach, with an applied purpose and a descriptive-analytical nature. The statistical population includes 18 villages in the Hasanabad district of Eslamabad-e Gharb County, each with a population exceeding 50 individuals. The sample size, determined based on the number of agricultural land users, was estimated to be 331. The distribution of the sample among the villages was proportional to their respective population sizes, and simple random sampling was employed within each village to select participants. To address the research objectives, a comprehensive questionnaire comprising 52 components was designed. Data analysis was conducted using structural equation modeling (SEM) via the SMART PLS software. For the measurement model, factor loadings were used to assess the strength of relationships, while t-values and q-statistics were employed to evaluate the structural model. Construct validity was ensured through the use of the average variance extracted (AVE) metric. Furthermore, the MAIRCA technique was applied to assess the status of the studied villages concerning agricultural water resource management.
Discussion and findings 
The results from the double execution of the measurement model revealed that, out of 52 components, 48 demonstrated a factor loading greater than 0.5. Among these, the highest factor loadings were attributed to forming community groups, such as Abbaran cooperatives (0.687), land consolidation to enhance productivity (0.750), proper soil pipe installation to prevent soil texture changes (0.702), and cultivating low-water-demand medicinal plants (0.663). Additionally, all average AVE values for the indicators were above 0.5, indicating adequate convergent validity. The highest AVE value was recorded for the environmental index (0.587), whereas the technical-technological index exhibited the lowest AVE value (0.504). Composite reliability analysis showed the economic index had the highest reliability (0.864), while the technical-technological index had the lowest (0.802). The calculated t-values for all observable and latent variables exceeded the critical threshold of 1.96, confirming statistical significance. The highest t-value, 35.425, was observed in the structural model for the pathway linking good governance to the environmental index. Furthermore, the Q² values for the five indices analyzed surpassed the minimum threshold, demonstrating that the structural model exhibited a satisfactory fit and predictive relevance.  The final analysis using the MAIRCA technique revealed that the villages of Dalo Hasanabad, Mohammad Ali Khani, and Darkhur Hasanabad ranked highest in terms of effective agricultural water resource management. Conversely, villages such as Anjirak, Gorgi Mandarak, and KamtarZard were positioned at the lowest levels.
 
Conclusion 
The results of the study indicated that various social, economic, technical, and environmental factors exert differing levels of influence on water resource management. This complexity necessitates the establishment of a water governance system capable of addressing the multifaceted nature of these dimensions. Part of this complexity arises from the characteristics of the natural environment, while another part can be attributed to the intricacies of human-related issues. Consequently, understanding the various dimensions associated with agricultural water resources not only underscores the need for effective resource management but also highlights the importance of governance involving multiple factors and oversight from various sectors.  The findings emphasize the critical role of integrated and systematic management in ensuring the sustainability of agricultural water resources. Optimizing water use and achieving efficient resource utilization requires a combination of efforts, including enhancing user awareness, encouraging active participation in water policy formulation, enacting effective legislation, adopting advanced and efficient technologies, and employing strategies to mitigate water scarcity and drought stress.  Notably, effective governance facilitates sustainable development by leveraging environmental capabilities and optimizing the use of available resources and facilities in rural areas. However, the study revealed that the economic index in the study region was in an unsatisfactory state. Addressing this issue requires implementing appropriate mechanisms, such as controlling irrigation costs, guaranteeing the purchase of agricultural products, and providing financial support to farmers. These measures, coupled with efforts to improve economic and welfare conditions, are essential for enhancing the sustainability of water resources. Moreover, planning and executing agricultural water resource management initiatives necessitate ensuring justice in resource distribution, adherence to legal frameworks, and operational efficiency. To promote a culture of responsible water usage, government organizations should develop incentive programs aimed at fostering awareness and encouraging proper water consumption practices within the region.
 
Funding
There is no funding support.
 
Authors’ Contribution
Authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved thecontent of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work declaration of competing interest none.
 
Conflict of Interest
Authors declared no conflict of interest.
 
Acknowledgments
 We are grateful to all the scientific consultants of this paper.