Moral Integrity in Irrigation: Impact on Farmers' Satisfaction in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

ABSTRACT This study examines the social and moral impacts of irrigation water distribution on farmer satisfaction in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. For this purpose, 466 farmers were selected through a multistage stratified random sampling method, as the sample size and interview schedule were used for data collection. The study utilized chi‐square and Kendall's T c tests to analyse data on farmers' satisfaction with irrigation water distribution, examining social and moral influences. The findings of the study revealed a highly significant and positive association of no significant difference between poor and rich farmers prevailing in irrigation systems ( p = 0.000; T c = 0.443); wealthy farmers not receiving a better water supply ( p = 0.000; T c = 0.345); not paying bribes to authorities to obtain a better share of irrigation water ( p = 0.000; T c = 0.325); not practising irrigation water stealing ( p = 0.000; T c = 0.451); encroaching on watercourses is socially proscribed ( p = 0.000; T c = 0.245); social rejection of polluting water ( p = 0.000; T c = 0.238); and flowing irrigation water management roles and principles such as moral and social responsibility ( p = 0.000; T c = 0.252), with farmer satisfaction with irrigation water distribution.