Productive efficiency in water usage: an analysis of differences among farm types and sizes in Georgia

Author(s)
Price, J.
Moore, R.
Advisor(s)
Editor(s)
Carroll, G. Denise
Associated Organization(s)
Supplementary to:
Abstract
Water management in agriculture received much attention from researchers and managers, but the factors affecting variability in the productive efficiency of water usage among farmers has been historically neglected. It is important that these factors be analyzed in order to evaluate the effectiveness of future policies. The research presented in this paper considers eight voluntary or mandated quantity- and price-rationing policy alternatives targeting the reduction of water usage among farmers in Georgia. Using a contingent behavior survey, differences in intra-agriculture water usage are analyzed along two dimensions: farm type and farm size. It is hypothesized that additional productive efficiency with water is accounted for in alternative agricultural practices, such as organic and conservation tillage, compared to conventional agricultural practices, and that increasing farm size also yields improved water productivity and irrigation efficiency.
Sponsor
Sponsored by: Georgia Environmental Protection Division U.S. Geological Survey, Georgia Water Science Center U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia Water Resources Institute The University of Georgia, Water Resources Faculty
Date
2009-04
Extent
Resource Type
Text
Resource Subtype
Proceedings
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