A Proper Perspective of Water in Agriculture

The quality of runoff water to the maximum extent possible through proper land use and management; and its responsibility to maximize where feasible the use of its share of the water through careful and efficient practices in agricultural enterprises. Both of these responsibilities are of major significance to the entire economy and determine to a considerable degree the overall performance of the economy including living levels and ways of living of the population. A good example of potential improvements in agricultural water use practices is a recent development by Agricultural Research Service engineers. A radio-controlled automatic irrigation system has been devised that will permit precise water application with a minimum of labor. This furnishes a whole new potential for improving irrigation efficiency. The economic effects of any water allocation policy can be grouped into two categories: effects on efficiency and effects on distribution of income and wealth.