Canal Irrigation Water Distribution: Awareness of Water Use Rights and Farmer’s Satisfaction in Central Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

In this research study, farmers' awareness of water uses rights and their satisfaction with irrigation water distribution were assessed. For this purpose, 466 farmers were randomly selected through a multi stage stratified random sampling technique from three irrigation sections in District Malakand, District Charsadda, and District Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). This study revealed that majority of the respondents did not attend formal school, cultivated 5-12.5 acres arable land (small farmers), and had moderate monthly family incomes (PRS 21000-50000). However, the respondents had the least information regarding revision of water distribution schedule, mutation of irrigation water, and share of irrigation water during stressful times, which decreased their satisfaction with irrigation water distribution. Findings and recommendations of this study will be helpful for the irrigation department (KP) to create awareness among the farmers regarding irrigation water rights at a satisfactory level.