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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Sustainable Water Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #403423
Research Project: Development of Best Management Practices, Tools, and Technologies to Optimize Water Use Efficiency and Improve Water Distribution in the Lower Mississippi River Basin

Location: Sustainable Water Management Research

Title: Adoption of water-conserving irrigation practices among row-crop growers in Mississippi, USA

Author
item QUINTANA ASHWELL, NICOLAS - Mississippi State University
item GHOLSON, DREW - Mississippi State University
item KRUTZ, JASON - Mississippi State University
item HENRY, CHRISTOPHER - University Of Arkansas
item COOKE, TREY - Delta Farmers Advocating Resource Management (FARM)

Submitted to: Agronomy
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/1/2020
Publication Date: 7/27/2020
Citation: Quintana Ashwell, N.E., Gholson, D.M., Krutz, J.L., Henry, C.G., Cooke, T. 2020. Adoption of water-conserving irrigation practices among row-crop growers in Mississippi, USA. Agronomy. 10(8);1083. HTTPS://DOI.ORG/10.3390/AGRONOMY10081083.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10081083

Interpretive Summary: 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.

Technical Abstract: 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.