Encouraging low-water-use crops: behavioral drivers and policy recommendations for sustainable water management

Water scarcity is among the most pressing global challenges, with the resulting freshwater crisis posing significant threats to sustainable development. Agriculture is the largest consumer of water resources, and rice, one of the most water-intensive crops, exacerbates this issue. In Iran, while several regions possess the potential for rice cultivation, the spatial distribution and patterns of rice farming require closer examination. Policymakers must actively engage in developing strategies to strike a balance between rice cultivation and crops that require less water. A major obstacle to achieving this balance lies in farmers’ reluctance to shift away from rice farming, which intensifies water scarcity and environmental degradation. This study aims to explore determinants of farmers' willingness to cultivate low-water-use crops as alternatives to rice, providing a foundation for evidence-based policymaking. The theoretical underpinning of this research was based on Behavioral Reasoning Theory (BRT). Using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to analyze survey responses, the research revealed that BRT effectively captures psychological and social factors influencing farmers' decisions by incorporating both "reasons for" and "reasons against" cultivating low-water-use crops. The results reveal that BRT variables explain 62.3% of the variance in farmers' willingness and 77% of the variance in their attitudes toward adopting low-water-use crops. Key motivators identified include environmental awareness, environmental concerns, perceived benefits, and moral norms. Conversely, barriers such as the perceived effort, cost, and entrenched farming habits emerged as significant deterrents. These findings offer valuable insights for policymakers aiming to protect water resources and mitigate environmental damage caused by rice cultivation. Providing farmers with detailed training on the benefits of cultivating low-water-use crops and their positive impact on conserving water resources and protecting the environment can significantly boost their motivation to adopt new cropping patterns. Additionally, the government can incentivize this transition by offering financial support in the form of subsidies, accessible loans, and guarantees for the procurement of low-water-use crops.