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Regulating Irrigation Via Block-Rate Pricing: An Econometric Analysis

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  • Bar-Shira, Ziv
  • Finkelshtain, Israel
  • Simhon, Avi

Abstract

In this paper, we adapt Burtless and Hausman's (1978) methodology in order to estimate farmer's demand for irrigation water under increasing block-rate tariffs and empirically assess its effect on aggregate demand and inter-farm allocation efficiency. This methodology overcomes the technical challenges raised by increasing block rate pricing and accounts for both observed and unobserved technological heterogeneity among farmers. Employing a micro panel data documenting irrigation levels and prices in 185 Israeli agricultural communities in the period 1992-1997 we estimate water demand elasticity at -0.3 in the short run (the effect of a price change on demand within a year of implementation) and -0.46 in the long run. We also find that, in accordance with common belief, switching from a single to a block price regime, yields a 7% reduction in average water use while maintaining the same average price. However, based on our simulations we estimate that the switch to block prices will result in a loss of approximately 1% of agricultural output due to inter-farm allocation inefficiencies.

Suggested Citation

  • Bar-Shira, Ziv & Finkelshtain, Israel & Simhon, Avi, 2005. "Regulating Irrigation Via Block-Rate Pricing: An Econometric Analysis," Discussion Papers 14982, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Department of Agricultural Economics and Management.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:huaedp:14982
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.14982
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Arbues, Fernando & Garcia-Valinas, Maria Angeles & Martinez-Espineira, Roberto, 2003. "Estimation of residential water demand: a state-of-the-art review," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 32(1), pages 81-102, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Khanna, Nina Zheng & Guo, Jin & Zheng, Xinye, 2016. "Effects of demand side management on Chinese household electricity consumption: Empirical findings from Chinese household survey," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 113-125.
    2. Lin, Boqiang & Jiang, Zhujun, 2012. "Designation and influence of household increasing block electricity tariffs in China," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 164-173.
    3. E. Strazzera, 2006. "Application of the ML Hausman approach to the demand of water for residential use: heterogeneity vs two-error specification," Working Paper CRENoS 200604, Centre for North South Economic Research, University of Cagliari and Sassari, Sardinia.

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