Challenges Facing Water User Associations in the Southwestern Region of East Azerbaijan Province within the Lake Urmia Basin

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Yousof Azadi
Javad Ahadzadea
Jafar Yaghoubi
Department of Agricultural Extension, Communication and Rural Development, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Islamic Republic of Iran.
Abstract
In the context of increasing water scarcity and drought, the participation of local groups and stakeholders in water resource management has become increasingly important. Water User Associations (WUAs), as one of the most significant outcomes of this participatory approach, play an effective role in the sustainable and efficient agricultural water management. By facilitating users’ involvement in the planning, operation, maintenance, and financing of irrigation networks. This study employed a descriptive survey approach combined with a SWOT-based strategic analysis framework to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats affecting WUAs and to formulate strategic recommendations in the southwestern region of East Azerbaijan Province, located within the Lake Urmia Basin. Employing purposive sampling, 60 key stakeholders were selected, and data were collected through a structured questionnaire. To achieve the study’s objective, the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of WUAs were analyzed. The results of the SWOT analysis indicated that the mean scores for the Strength–Opportunity (SO), Weakness–Opportunity (WO), Strength–Threat (ST), and Weakness–Threat (WT) strategies were 3.60, 3.52, 3.25, and 3.17, respectively. The findings revealed that four strategic orientations were proposed: competitive/aggressive (SO), reformative (WO), diversification (ST), and defensive (WT). The implementing these strategies can strengthen the institutional capacity, operational efficiency, and social legitimacy of WUAs. Ultimately, the results of this study can assist policymakers and planners in improving and reforming the role of WUAs toward better water governance, sustainable resource management, and greater stakeholder participation in the Lake Urmia Basin.
Keywords
Participatory irrigation management
Lake Urmia Basin
SWOT analysis
Water governance
Subjects
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Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 15 August 2026