Adoption timing of water conserving irrigation practices in the Mississippi Delta: An application of duration analysis

Abstract

Irrigation drives the decline in the Mississippi River Valley alluvial aquifer. Rapid adoption of water-conserving practices (WCPs) is key. Duration analysis of the adoption of computerized (polypipe) hole selection (CHS) and center-pivot (CP) irrigation in the Mississippi Delta shows that: NRCS funding for WCPs and crop acreage (cotton for CP and soybean for CHS) accelerate while farming experience, the establishment of a state task force and farming experience slows adoption. Farmer education accelerates but land ownership decelerates CHS adoption. Center pivot adoption slowed down as more farmers adopted it. Continuing educational programs introducing new practices early may accelerate WCP adoption.