Document Type : Research Paper

Abstract

Performance evaluations on irrigation networks around the world show that they perform far below expectations. In addition to physical and managerial shortcomings, methodological difficulties contribute to poor performance. Traditional methods have only resulted in marginal performance improvements. A number of researchers are working on performance assessment methods for irrigation networks. However, because numerous components affect the performance of systems, selection of the appropriate performance improvement option is a complex issue. It is important to determine the impact of improvement options and variations in each decision component quantitatively on the degree of performance improvement. In this study, a decision support system based on data envelopment analysis (DEA) and its sensitivity analysis capability was developed. This model determines performance evaluation, performance standards and improvement potentials. The impact of different options on performance improvement is determined and ranked using sensitivity analysis. The ranked improvement options provide basic support for decision makers. The model was applied to eight irrigation networks and a sample of the results is presented. For example, the performance of sample network 1 is 0.2 and its reference unit is determined. The results show that personnel and machinery indicators perform more weakly than the technical and economic indicators. It was found that the economic indicator has a greater impact on the performance of the system than the technical indicator. Reducing the system input has more impact on performance improvement than the other indicators. The application of this decision support system, with its capability of sensitivity analysis in DEA, provides necessary information for system management to select improvement options.

Keywords

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