Keywords

water use, agricultural economics, irrigation

Abstract

Water is the primary limiting factor in agriculture in the United States and the world. The western states have gained importance in agricultural production only through extensive use of irrigation from surface and groundwater sources. With the increase in population, these water supplies are facing new pressures for reallocation. Accurate scientific information concerning water availability, behavior, management, and value is essential in optimizing water allocation on farms, in agriculture, and among agriculture and the various other uses. This report is an overview of the physical, institutional, economic, and sociological aspects of the water issue from the standpoint of agriculture. It is intended to provide basic understanding for those who are concerned with the big picture.

Original Publication Citation

Water Use in Agriculture: Now and the Future (Gardner--a member of Task Force) Council for Agricultural Science and Technology, Report No. 95, Ames, Iowa, 28 p.