Page 52 - Azerbaijan State University of Economics

THE JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC SCIENCES: THEORY AND PRACTICE

The general objective of this study is to assess the cost and

potential water savings of alternative irrigation technologies. The
specific objectives are to:

1. Determine capital investment and operating cost information of
alternative irrigation systems.

2. Assess the impact of changes in fuel price and pumping lift on

the cost structure of alternative irrigation systems and pumping
cost of water from the Ogallala Aquifer.

3. Estimate potential water savings through adoption of the latest
irrigation technologies.

Background

Irrigation technology adoption trends in the past, current status of
irrigation technology in the Panhandle Water Planning Area (Region A),

and potential water savings by shifting to improved and efficient
irrigation systems are discussed in the following section. Total irrigated

acres in Region A and crop mix are assumed to be constant during the
planning period for the purpose of estimating potential water savings.

The estimates of water savings are based on two approaches, indexed

water use approach and equal water use approach. A comparison of the
water savings from both the approaches is also presented.

Current Status of Irrigation Technology in Region A
Irrigation in the Texas High Plains began as early as 1911

developing slowly until both the drought of the 1950s and the
availability of improved equipment stimulated large number of irrigated

acres. This growth continued into the late 1970s with irrigated acres

peaking in 1980 at 1.755 million acres in Region A (Table 1). During the

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