Ethical evolution in the management of water resources: The role of developed norms on decreasing groundwater usage in Iranian agricultural practices
Moslem Savari, Hamed Eskandari Damaneh, Hadi Eskandari Damaneh
Abstract
The sustainability and conservation of water resources, along with their efficient utilization, represent a significant global challenge today. Furthermore, the issues of water scarcity and a growing population have adversely impacted numerous regions worldwide. The agricultural sector accounts for the largest share of groundwater consumption, with many farmers resorting to illegal and unauthorized methods to excavate wells for irrigation purposes. Consequently, Iran ranks as the fifth highest country in terms of groundwater extraction. It is therefore crucial to conserve water resources and implement sustainable and economical irrigation practices to mitigate the issue of water scarcity in Iran. This study was undertaken with the primary objective of examining the factors that influence farmers' intentions to reduce groundwater consumption in the country. Utilizing a questionnaire survey method and structural equation modeling (SEM) the research targeted all farmers in the western basin of Jazmorian Wetland in Kerman Province, southern Iran, who rely on groundwater for crop irrigation. The expanded Norm Activation Model (NAM) served as the theoretical framework for this research, incorporating variables such as anticipated emotions, place attachment, and social media. Overall, the findings indicated that the proposed model accounts for 67.9 % of the variance in farmers' intentions regarding groundwater usage. Additionally, the results highlighted that personal norms and anticipated emotions exert the most significant influence on farmers' intentions to decrease groundwater consumption. This study not only addresses gaps in the theoretical literature but also offers valuable insights for policymakers focused on the sustainable management of groundwater resources. • Development of a norm activation model in the context of groundwater resource management activation. • The developed model was able to explain 67.9% of farmers' intention to reduce groundwater consumption. • Using structural equation modeling for data analysis.