شناسایی عوامل مؤثر بر تمایل کشاورزان شهرستان باغملک نسبت به پذیرش سیستم‌های آبیاری تحت‌فشار: کاربرد مدل پذیرش فناوری دیویس

A B S T R A C T
The main purpose of this research was to explain the factors affecting the intention to accept pressure irrigation systems among farmers in the central part of Baghmalek county using the technology acceptance Mode (TAM). The statistical population included all the farmers in the central part of Baghmalek county, Khuzestan province (N= 3005); based on the Karjesi and Morgan table, a sample size of 343 farmers was selected using the stratified sampling method with proportional assignment. The data collection tool was a questionnaire whose validity was based on the opinion of the Khuzestan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources faculty members, and its reliability was determined through Cronbach's alpha (α = 0.774-0.850). On the other hand, the Average Variance Extracted Index (AVE) was used to determine construct validity, and the Composite Reliability Index (CR) was used to determine model reliability. The results of structural equations showed that the variables of attitude, usefulness, and perceived ease predicted 68% of the changes in the variable of intention of farmers to accept pressure irrigation, also, based on the results obtained from the final model of technology acceptance, the perceived ease variable with 28% direct effect and 44% indirect effect with the mediating role of attitude has the most significant effect on farmers' willingness to accept pressure irrigation systems. In this regard, it is recommended that the Agricultural Jihad organization of Baghmalek county provides the necessary ground for sharing the experiences of farmers who used pressurized irrigation systems through agricultural service centers.
Extended Abstract
Introduction
Today, the water crisis increasingly worries public opinion and engages the scientific. So, issues related to the water crisis and management are recognized as the second most important global issue after the population problem from the perspective of the United Nations. The irrigation process is one of the influential factors in improving the productivity of agricultural production in developing countries, especially Iran, and its improvement, management, and efficiency are considered important areas of agricultural development. Water shortage in most countries has caused farmers to use modern methods instead of traditional irrigation methods and have greater control over water consumption. Among the programs implemented in order to reduce water consumption and increase productivity in the agricultural sector is the use of pressurized irrigation methods. According to the results of studies, the irrigation efficiency in the pressurized irrigation system is more than 70 percent, which, compared to the 30 percent efficiency of traditional irrigation methods, indicates a reduction in water losses. Accordingly, to improve irrigation efficiency, measures have been taken in the country, the most important of which has been the use of pressurized irrigation systems by farmers. The main purpose of this research was to explain the factors affecting the intention to accept pressure irrigation systems among farmers in the central part of Baghmalek county using the technology acceptance Mode (TAM). The technology acceptance model is adapted from Fishbein and Ajzen theory of reasoned action. The main components of Davis's technology acceptance model include perceived ease, perceived usefulness, attitude toward use, and behavioral intention.
 
Methodology
This study is applied research in terms of its purpose, non-experimental in terms of the amount and degree of control of variables, and descriptive-survey in terms of data collection.The statistical population included all the farmers in the central part of Baghmolek county, Khuzestan province (N= 3005); based on the Karjesi and Morgan table, a sample size of 343 farmers was selected using the stratified sampling method with proportional assignment. The data collection tool was a questionnaire whose face validity was confirmed by the Department of Agricultural Extension and Education faculty members. In addition, pre-test and Cronbach's alpha coefficients were used to determine the degree of reliability. Descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation) were used to analyze the data, and correlation coefficients and structural equation modeling were used as inferential statistics to examine the relationship and impact of research variables.
 
Results and discussion
According to the findings, the respondents' attitude (45.8%) regarding pressurized irrigation is relatively favorable. In fact, farmers have a positive attitude towards the use of pressurized irrigation. The intention (53.3%) of farmers to use irrigation under pressure is relatively unfavorable, and the intention (51.6%) of respondents to use irrigation systems under pressure is relatively unfavorable. The correlation analysis results showed a positive and significant relationship between the variables of perceived usefulness, perceived ease, and attitude with farmers' intention to accept the pressurized irrigation system at the 0.01 percent level. The results of structural equations showed that the variables of attitude, usefulness, and perceived ease predicted 68% of the changes in the variable of intention of farmers to accept pressure irrigation, also, based on the results obtained from the final model of technology acceptance, the perceived ease variable with 28% direct effect and 44% indirect effect with the mediating role of attitude has the most significant effect on farmers' intention to accept pressure irrigation systems.
According to the findings of the research, perceived ease, both directly and indirectly, is a good predictor for the variable of farmers' intention to use pressure irrigation; That is, the more positive the farmer's understanding of the perceived ease of using pressure irrigation, the more likely he is to decide to use it. Based on the research results, a positive and significant relationship was found between perceived usefulness and ease directly and indirectly with farmers' attitudes regarding pressurized irrigation systems. In order to increase the acceptance of pressure irrigation, it is necessary to focus on the attitude of farmers towards the use and their understanding of the ease and usefulness of the systems.
 
Conclusion
It is recommended that the agricultural Jahad service centers hold orientation courses, classes, workshops, and educational seminars to increase farmers' perceptions of ease and usefulness and improve their attitudes regarding the benefits of pressurized irrigation systems. This will increase farmers' willingness to accept Irrigation systems under pressure.
 
Funding
There is no funding support.
 
Authors’ Contribution
The authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved the content of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work declaration of competing interest none.
 
Conflict of Interest
The authors declared no conflict of interest.
 
Acknowledgments
We are grateful to all the scientific consultants of this paper.