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

Agronomy

Trey Cooke¹  L.Jason Krutz²  DrewM. Gholson³  Nicolas Quintana-Ashwell³  ChristopherG. Henry⁴ 

[1] Delta Farmers Advocating Resource Management, Delta F.A.R.M., Stoneville, MS 38776, USA;Mississippi Water Resources Research Institute, 885 Stone Blvd, Ballew Hall, Mississippi State University, Leland, MS 38756, USA;National Center for Alluvial Aquifer Research, Mississippi State University, 4006 Old Leland Rd, Leland, MS 38756, USA;Rice Research and Extension Center, University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, Stuttgart, AR 72160, USA;

关键词: irrigation;    groundwater;    alluvial aquifer;    water conservation adoption;    row crops;    Mississippi Delta;   

DOI  :  10.3390/agronomy10081083

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

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.

【 授权许可】

Unknown