Factor Demand in Irrigated Agriculture under Conditions of Restricted Water Supplies

摘要

Irrigators can manage reduced water supplies by increasing the efficiency of water use through other inputs such as labor rather than removing land from production. The effect of reduced water supply on labor demand depends on the type of irrigation system used. Center pivot irrigators' adoption of high-frequency schedules demands significantly more labor as water deficits are imposed. Surface irrigators see a decrease in labor required as water supplies are initially reduced, but further water supply reductions result in increased labor demand. The potential for conserving water without greatly affecting producer returns runs up to 35% of irrigation water under surface irrigation and up to 25% under center pivot irrigation. The study uses a whole-farm irrigation management model to look at several limited water supply scenarios.