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Diffusion of Drip Irrigation: The Case of California

Author

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  • Rebecca Taylor
  • David Zilberman

Abstract

This article provides insights regarding the state of the literature on the economics of drip irrigation adoption and diffusion. Our literature review finds that the methodological approaches to studying diffusion—conceptual modeling, empirical analysis, and historical narratives—are complementary, yet historical analyses have been underemphasized. To address this gap, we conduct a historical analysis of the diffusion of drip irrigation in California. Our forty-five-year narrative highlights that the successful adoption of drip irrigation to diverse crops and locations required (i) coevolution of the technology and complementary production processes, and (ii) joint efforts by private and public experts at the local level.

Suggested Citation

  • Rebecca Taylor & David Zilberman, 2017. "Diffusion of Drip Irrigation: The Case of California," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 39(1), pages 16-40.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:apecpp:v:39:y:2017:i:1:p:16-40.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/aepp/ppw026
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Drip irrigation; process innovation; technology diffusion; historical analysis;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • N52 - Economic History - - Agriculture, Natural Resources, Environment and Extractive Industries - - - U.S.; Canada: 1913-
    • Q16 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - R&D; Agricultural Technology; Biofuels; Agricultural Extension Services

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