Abstract: The objectives of the study were: 1-To measure the level of knowledge of (VEWs) in the area of rationalizing irrigation water utilization and preservation of water resources.
2-To determine the relationship between the level of knowledge of (VEWs) in the area of rationalizing irrigation water utilization and preservation of water resources, as a dependent variable, and the following independent variables:
Age, - Educational qualification, - Number of farmers in the jurisdiction area of the VEW, - Number of rural familes in the jurisdiction area of the VEW, - Size of land in the jurisdiction area of the VEW, - Experience in Agricultural job, - Experience in extension work, -In-service extension training, - Duration of extension training, - Benefits of extension training, - Exposure to sources of information in extension work, - Exposure to sources of information in the area of rationalizing irrigation water
Utilization and preservation of water resources, - Relationship between the VEW and irrigation engineer, - Extension activities performed by the VEW to inform farmers in the area of Rationalizing irrigation water utilization and preservation of water resources.
3-To explore the extension activities performed by the VEW to inform farmers in the area of rationalizing irrigation water utilization and preservation of water resources. 4-To investigate the existence and forms of the relationship between the VEW and irrigation engineer.
5-To explore the irrigation problems facing farmers and their solutions, as perceived and suggested by VEWs.
6-To explore the drainage problems facing farmers and their solutions, as perceived and suggested by VEWs
7-To recognize the constraints which face VEWs in their work with farmers in the area of rationalizing irrigation water utilization and preservation of water resources, and their suggested solutions to confront them.
The study was conducted in Fayoum Governorate. Data were collected during personal interviews with VEWs, by using a questionnaire designed and pre-tested for the purposes of the study. The study covered a sample of 276 VEWs, representing about 28% of the 977 VEWs comprising the total population of VEWs working in the extension organization of Fayoum Governorate. Frequencies, percentages, averages, Chi- square and Phi coefficient were used for data analysis and presentation.
The most important results of the study could be summarized as follows: 1-The knowledge of a high proportion of the VEWs, (75%), in the area of rationalizing irrigation water utilization and preservation of water resources, was relatively low 2-A statically significant relationship was found between the level of Vews' knowledge and:- educational qualification, - duration of extension training, - benefits of extension training, and, - performing extension activities to inform farmers in the area of rationalizing irrigation water utilization and preservation of water resources.
A statically non-significant relationship was found between the level of Vews' knowledge and: age, - Number of farmers in the jurisdiction area of the VEW, - Number of rural familes in the jurisdiction area of the VEW, Size of land in the jurisdiction area of the VEW, - Experience in Agricultural job, Experience in extension work, - Exposure to sources of information in extension work Exposure to sources of information in the area 0' rationalizing irrigation water Utilization and preservation of water resources,
Relationship between the VEW and irrigation engineer 3-About two thirds of the VEWs (67%), performed extension activities to inform farmers in the area of rationalizing irrigation water utilization and preservation of water resources. Most of these activities focused on farm visits ( 77%). 4-A high proportion of the VEWs ( 82%), reported that there is no relationship with irrigation engineer. Those who reported the existence of relationship, ( 18%), identified the main form this relationship as personal contacts.
5-The most important irrigation problems facing farmers, as perceived by the VEWs, included: - Lack of irrigation water, especially in summer, (47%),
- Lack of irrigation water in the ends of canals, (27%),
- Lack of care concerning the clearing of canals, (25%).
The suggested solutions for these problems were as follows, respectively:
- Increasing the amounts of irrigation water especially in summer (82%), and
reducing the area planted with rice (16%),
- Fair allocation of water amounts on different parts of the canals (58%), and
reallocation and increasing of irrigation water (16%)
- More consideration and attention, of clearing main canals, to be paid by irrigation
officials ( 73%), and farmers' attention on clearing sub-canals (27%)
6 - The most important drainage problems facing farmers, as perceived by the VEWs, included: - Non-clearance of drains, (33%),
- Non-existence of sub-soil drains, (29%),
- Back-filling of the open drains and blocking the holes of the sub-soil
drains,(26%).
The suggested solutions for these problems were as follows, respectively:
- Regular clearance of drains (82%), and the wide application of sub-soil
drainage (23%),
- Wide application of sub-soil drainage systems (100%),
- Regular clearance of drains (39%), and clearing the holes of the sub-soil
drains (38%).
7 - The most important constraints facing VEWs< when informing farmers in the area of rationalizing irrigation water utilization and preservation of water resources, include:
- Lack of positive responsiveness of farmers concerning the recommendations of
rationalizing irrigation water utilization and preservation of water resources, (84%),
- Increasing the areas planted with rice (10%),
- Elimination of crop rotation (8%),
- Lack of coordination between the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Water
Resources and Irrigation (7%).
The suggested solutions for these constraints were as follows, respectively:
- Increasing the number of extension meetings conducted for farmers (46%), and the
execution of irrigation sanctions (45%),
- Increasing the prices of crops that need less irrigation water which incourage
farmers to grow them (48%), and reducing the areas planted with rice (31%)
- Reapplication of crop rotations to maintain crop rotations and avoid the plantation of rice crop (100%),
- Strengthening the relationship between the VEW and the irrigation engineer (100%).
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