INFLUENCE OF QUALITY AND SCARCITY OF INPUTS ON THE ADOPTION OF MODERN IRRIGATION TECHNOLOGIES

This article describes the influence of input quality and scarcity, environmental conditions, human capital, water price, and other variables on adoption rates for modern irrigation technologies in terms of both speed and extent of application. An empirical model is developed to apply these relationships to citrus groves in Israel. Results show that modern irrigation technologies tend to be adopted sooner and to a greater extent (a) on groves located on relatively low quality land, (b) in regions with higher evaporation rates, (c) on groves planted with more sensitive rootstock, and (d) on groves grown under conditions of restricted water allotments and higher water prices. Management, human capital, and scale of operation also affect the level and speed of adoption. It is suggested that water prices and quotas can be used to increase adoption.