Theses and Dissertations

Advisor

Ashwell, Nicolas Quintana

Committee Member

Yun, Seong

Committee Member

Krutz, L. Jason

Committee Member

Lacy, R. Curt

Date of Degree

8-13-2024

Original embargo terms

Immediate Worldwide Access

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Open Access

Major

Agriculture (Agricultural Economics)

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Department

Department of Agricultural Economics

Abstract

The expanding irrigated acreage in the Mississippi Delta has resulted in increased withdrawals that exceed the recharge rate of the Mississippi River Valley Alluvial Aquifer (MRVAA), leading to a decline in water levels. This trend poses a threat of rapid depletion, potentially resulting in deteriorating water quality and increased pumping costs in the region. Water-conserving irrigation practices are a key component to any potential solution, promising enhanced water use efficiency and sustainable agricultural practices. Nonetheless, farmers adopt these practices at different times. This study used a duration model to identify the factors that influence the timing of adoption of computerized hole selection (CHS) and center pivot (CP) practices. We found that farmers who attended extension meetings and held the belief that CHS would lower their input costs adopted it more promptly. Also, participation in conservation programs facilitated the quicker adoption of CP. Conversely, greater farming experience and a higher cumulative number of adopters were associated with slower adoption times for both CHS and CP.

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