Abstract
This causal-relational research was conducted with the general purpose of analyzing the factors affecting the success of production cooperatives in the watershed of Khuzestan province, emphasizing the management of irrigation and drainage networks. The statistical population of this research was formed by all the members of production cooperatives within the irrigation and drainage networks of Khuzestan province (N=5831). Sample size using the sampling table of Bartlett et al. (2001) and by stratified random method with proportional assignment (according to member production cooperatives), 361 people were determined. The findings of the path analysis using AMOS23 software showed that the variable of education level of the members of production cooperatives within the scope of irrigation and drainage networks in the watershed of Khuzestan province (β=0.79), it has the most influence on the success of production cooperatives in the watershed of Khuzestan province. After that, variables such as the area of agricultural land under the control of members (β=0.69), income (β=0.67), age (β=0.60), history of agricultural activity (β=0.36) and experience the membership of members in production cooperatives (β=0.55) has the most influence on the success of production cooperatives in the watershed of Khuzestan province, and they are respectively placed in the next priorities of this influence. Considering the long history of the formation of these systems of collective exploitation of water resources in Khuzestan province, identifying the factors affecting their success can be effective in promoting the success of the said cooperatives while providing management mechanisms to those in charge.
Key words: production cooperatives, sustainable development, agricultural sector, irrigation and drainage networks, Khuzestan province
Introduction
Today, the water crisis is increasingly worrying public opinion and it engages the scientific. Since the amount of water supply is always limited the amount of demand also increases with the population and the improvement in the standard of living is constantly increasing Planning for optimal use of water resources is of particular importance. The agricultural sector in Iran is based on exploitation systems. Therefore, the development of agriculture in Iran means creating a qualitative and fundamental transformation in the structure of agriculture, which requires the knowledge of optimal and suitable exploitation systems in Iran. One of the most important exploitation systems is the creation of production cooperatives. Such organizations and entrusting the management of irrigation networks to farmers is a strategic intervention with multiple effects in the rural economy. Therefore, many factors can affect the realization of the final goals of these production cooperatives. This causal-relational research was conducted with the general purpose of analyzing the factors affecting the success of production cooperatives in the watershed of Khuzestan province, emphasizing the management of irrigation and drainage networks.


Material and Methods
The statistical population of this research was formed by all the members of production cooperatives within the irrigation and drainage networks of Khuzestan province (N=5831). Sample size using the sampling table of Bartlett et al and by stratified random method with proportional assignment (according to member production cooperatives), 361 people were determined. The tool used in this research was a researcher-made questionnaire, which was used to estimate its reliability using ordinal alpha coefficient (α=0.94). The form and content validity of the questionnaire was determined by a group of experts and experts in higher agricultural education, as well as managers and subject matter experts.
Results
The findings of the path analysis using AMOS23 software showed that the variable of education level of the members of production cooperatives within the scope of irrigation and drainage networks in the watershed of Khuzestan province (β=0.79), it has the most influence on the success of production cooperatives in the watershed of Khuzestan province. After that, variables such as the area of agricultural land under the control of members (β=0.69), income (β=0.67), age (β=0.60), history of agricultural activity (β=0.36) and experience the membership of members in production cooperatives (β=0.55) has the most influence on the success of production cooperatives in the watershed of Khuzestan province, and they are respectively placed in the next priorities of this influence.
Conclusion
Considering the long history of the formation of these systems of collective exploitation of water resources in Khuzestan province, identifying the factors affecting their success can be effective in promoting the success of the said cooperatives while providing management mechanisms to those in charge.
Data Availability
The datasets are available from the corresponding author by email (b.khosravipour@gmail.com) on a reasonable request.
Conflicts of interest
The authors of this article declared no conflict of interest regarding the authorship or publication of this article.
This causal-relational research was conducted with the general purpose of analyzing the factors affecting the success of production cooperatives in the watershed of Khuzestan province, emphasizing the management of irrigation and drainage networks. The statistical population of this research was formed by all the members of production cooperatives within the irrigation and drainage networks of Khuzestan province (N=5831). Sample size using the sampling table of Bartlett et al. (2001) and by stratified random method with proportional assignment (according to member production cooperatives), 361 people were determined. The findings of the path analysis using AMOS23 software showed that the variable of education level of the members of production cooperatives within the scope of irrigation and drainage networks in the watershed of Khuzestan province (β=0.79), it has the most influence on the success of production cooperatives in the watershed of Khuzestan province. After that, variables such as the area of agricultural land under the control of members (β=0.69), income (β=0.67), age (β=0.60), history of agricultural activity (β=0.36) and experience the membership of members in production cooperatives (β=0.55) has the most influence on the success of production cooperatives in the watershed of Khuzestan province, and they are respectively placed in the next priorities of this influence. Considering the long history of the formation of these systems of collective exploitation of water resources in Khuzestan province, identifying the factors affecting their success can be effective in promoting the success of the said cooperatives while providing management mechanisms to those in charge.
Key words: production cooperatives, sustainable development, agricultural sector, irrigation and drainage networks, Khuzestan province