Adopting water-conserving irrigation technology: The case of surge irrigation in Arizona

Roger H. Coupal; Paul N. Wilson

doi:10.1016/0378-3774(90)90032-T

Adopting water-conserving irrigation technology: The case of surge irrigation in Arizona

Roger H. Coupal, Paul N. Wilson

Agricultural and Resource Economics

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

Surge-flow irrigation technology is a potential means for increasing irrigation efficiencies in desert agriculture. An economic analysis of the adoption decision for Arizona farmers reveals that an investment in surge irrigation is only economically viable when developing new agricultural lands or where gated pipe is already in use. Since the majority of the agricultural land in Arizona is furrow irrigated using ditches and syphon tubes, the potential for high adoption rates on existing farmland is rather limited. The analysis indicates that water costs, under conservative but realistic assumptions, would have to rise to US$ 0.08/m³ (US$ 100 per acre foot) before surge irrigation would be economically viable as a substitute for open ditch furrow irrigation. Further research is needed on potential labor savings and management efficiencies related to surge irrigation in order to measure potential profitability more accurately.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	15-28
Number of pages	14
Journal	Agricultural Water Management
Volume	18
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-3774(90)90032-T
State	Published - May 1990

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Agronomy and Crop Science
Water Science and Technology
Soil Science
Earth-Surface Processes

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10.1016/0378-3774(90)90032-T

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title = "Adopting water-conserving irrigation technology: The case of surge irrigation in Arizona",

abstract = "Surge-flow irrigation technology is a potential means for increasing irrigation efficiencies in desert agriculture. An economic analysis of the adoption decision for Arizona farmers reveals that an investment in surge irrigation is only economically viable when developing new agricultural lands or where gated pipe is already in use. Since the majority of the agricultural land in Arizona is furrow irrigated using ditches and syphon tubes, the potential for high adoption rates on existing farmland is rather limited. The analysis indicates that water costs, under conservative but realistic assumptions, would have to rise to US$ 0.08/m3 (US$ 100 per acre foot) before surge irrigation would be economically viable as a substitute for open ditch furrow irrigation. Further research is needed on potential labor savings and management efficiencies related to surge irrigation in order to measure potential profitability more accurately.",

author = "Coupal, {Roger H.} and Wilson, {Paul N.}",

note = "Funding Information: *The Arizona Agricultural Experiment Station and the Department of Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, through the Water Resources Research Center, University of Arizona provided financial support for this research. The contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the U.S. Department of Interior nor does mention of brand names or commercial products consitute their endorsement by the United States Government.",

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N1 - Funding Information: *The Arizona Agricultural Experiment Station and the Department of Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, through the Water Resources Research Center, University of Arizona provided financial support for this research. The contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the U.S. Department of Interior nor does mention of brand names or commercial products consitute their endorsement by the United States Government.

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AB - Surge-flow irrigation technology is a potential means for increasing irrigation efficiencies in desert agriculture. An economic analysis of the adoption decision for Arizona farmers reveals that an investment in surge irrigation is only economically viable when developing new agricultural lands or where gated pipe is already in use. Since the majority of the agricultural land in Arizona is furrow irrigated using ditches and syphon tubes, the potential for high adoption rates on existing farmland is rather limited. The analysis indicates that water costs, under conservative but realistic assumptions, would have to rise to US$ 0.08/m3 (US$ 100 per acre foot) before surge irrigation would be economically viable as a substitute for open ditch furrow irrigation. Further research is needed on potential labor savings and management efficiencies related to surge irrigation in order to measure potential profitability more accurately.

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Adopting water-conserving irrigation technology: The case of surge irrigation in Arizona

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