Adoption of Water-Conserving Irrigation Practices among Row-crop Growers in Mississippi, USA

• Main Authors: Nicolas Quintana-Ashwell, Drew M. Gholson, L. Jason Krutz, Christopher G. Henry, Trey Cooke
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-07-01
• Series: Agronomy
• Subjects: irrigation; groundwater; alluvial aquifer; water conservation adoption; row crops; Mississippi Delta
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/10/8/1083

This article identifies irrigated row-crop farmer factors associated with the adoption of water-conserving practices. The analysis is performed on data from a survey of irrigators in Mississippi. Regression results show that the amount of irrigated area, years of education, perception of a groundwater problem, and participation in conservation programs are positively associated with practice adoption; while number of years farming, growing rice, and pumping cost are negatively associated with adoption. However, not all factors are statistically significant for all practices. Survey results indicate that only a third of growers are aware of groundwater problems at the farm or state level; and this lack of awareness is related to whether farmers noticed a change in the depth to water distance in their irrigation wells. This evidence is consistent with a report to Congress from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) that recommends policies promoting the use of: (1) more efficient irrigation technology and practices and (2) precision agriculture technologies, such as soil moisture sensors and irrigation automation.