Evaluation of willingness to pay for irrigation water: Harran plain sampling in GAP Region - Turkey

Abstract

The aim of the paper is to evaluate the willingness to pay (WTP) for irrigation and explore the potential factors that contribute to it. The data used in this study come from a sample of farmers in The Southeastern Anatolian Project (GAP)-Turkey, who were chosen via simple random sampling method and interviewed face to face by given questionnaire. Based on the collected survey data, econometric model for the contingent valuation and double bond maximum likelihood methods were used for analysis by limited dependent package program. Results indicate that farmers are willing to pay 71.69% more than the existing price under certain conditions, but are paying 98 Turkish Liras/ha less. Accordingly, the yearly annual income loss of the water user associations is $9,748,011. Explanatory factors, such as price of irrigation water, education, location, irrigation type (gravity or pumping), and attitudes toward associations, significantly explained WTP. This study is one of the first of its type in Turkey. The study determines the primary factors influencing farmers’ WTP for the irrigation water for optimal management of associations and water resources. The results are important for policymakers and contain useful information for Turkey and other countries with similar technical and socio-cultural characteristics.