Influence of Peer Networks on the Use of Surface Water Systems

Kerr Adams and Kent Kovacs

No 266494, 2018 Annual Meeting, February 2-6, 2018, Jacksonville, Florida from Southern Agricultural Economics Association

Abstract: Agriculture in the Arkansas Delta region is dependent upon the accessibility of irrigation water. The most common irrigation water source is groundwater. This practice has led to the depletion of groundwater which is having a damaging influence on the natural resources of the state and the productions costs of agriculture in the region. The adoption of reservoirs and tail-water recovery systems are being promoted as a way of minimizing groundwater depletion and promoting surface water irrigation. Despite the long term benefits of surface water use, many producers are reluctant to adopt the water saving practices. To better understand the barriers of adoption, this project uses the responses from producers who took part in the Arkansas Irrigation Survey in 2016. The responses from this survey are used to find which factors are correlated with the adoption of water storage facilities. The research finds that peer networks are positively correlated with the adoption of surface water irrigation. Producers who know someone who has already adopted surface water irrigation practices, are more likely to have adopted. The results of this research can be used to help extension agencies promote surface water irrigation.

Keywords: Environmental Economics and Policy; Land Economics/Use; Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 21
Date: 2018-01-12
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-agr and nep-env
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ags:saea18:266494

DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.266494

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