Does investment in irrigation technology necessarily generate rebound effects? A simulation analysis based on an agro-economic model

Berbel, Julio; Mateos, Luciano

doi:10.1016/j.agsy.2014.04.002

Cited by 109 publications

(76 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…As a conclusion of the review of published research, and regarding the mentioned water management policy conditions for avoiding the rebound effect, the policy options that may avoid any rebound effect implies the achievement of one of several of these conditions: a) water consumption does not increase significantly unless irrigated area increases allowing farmers to use the 'water savings' (Berbel and Mateos 2014;Ward and Pulido 2008;Graveline et al 2013;Soto-García et al 2013;Scheierling et al 2006). b) when the quality of infrastructure in previous systems is very deficient (lack of uniformity, fallow land due to water supply restrictions, deficit irrigation applied), the modernization may increase productivity and consequently increase ETc (Lecina et al 2010;Playán and Mateos 2006;Pfeiffer and Lin 2014).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Many authors have argued that water pricing is useless when water has a higher value and farmers adapt to deficit irrigation due to the structural scarcity of the region (e.g. Berbel and Gómez Limón 2000;De Fraiture and Perry 2002;Berbel and Mateos 2014). Water pricing advocates, however, do not consider this a relevant argument and believe that increasing water price is the main solution to reach the sustainable nirvana.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…Recently, Berbel and Mateos (2014) propose a simple agro-economic model that explores the conditions under which improved irrigation application uniformity may lead to increased water use and/or consumption. The increase in water depletion due to the introduction of more uniform irrigation systems is insignificant if land is limited and farmers optimize their profit.…”

Section: Analytical Modelsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Literature Review on Rebound Effect of Water Saving Measures and Analysis of a Spanish Case Study

Berbel

Gutiérrez‐Martín

Díaz

et al. 2014

Water Resour Manage

185

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POST-PRINT VERSION AbstractThe hypothesis of a rebound effect as a consequence of water saving investments is taken analogically from the Jevons paradox models in energy economics. The European Commission (EC) alert about the consequences in water stressed regions that are investing heavily in modernization of irrigation networks and systems. This paper reviews the literature, linking water savings with water diversion and water depletion, both from theoretical models and empirical evidence from the published research. In order to increase knowledge of this phenomenon, a new empirical case study is presented based on a survey of 36,000 ha of recently modernized irrigated areas in the Guadalquivir basin (southern Spain). The results of the case study illustrates the conditions that may avoid rebound effect, although the results of the available empirical evidence and the published theoretical research are diverse and lead to contradictory results. Further research is therefore needed to determine the causes and solutions of water saving investment impacts and the possible speculative rebound effect.Keywords: Water conservation; Jevons paradox; Rebound effect; Water pricing; Water use; Water consumption; Spain Highlights The present study analyzes the theoretical and empirical evidence that water saving investments may lead to increased water use and/or consumption. Some authors suggest that if irrigated land expansion is not constrained, increased water abstractions are likely to occur. When land expansion is constrained and water rights are controlled, water depletion does not increase. The results of published research are diverse and have yielded contradictory results regarding the rebound effect as a consequence of water saving investments.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Section: Analytical Modelsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Literature Review on Rebound Effect of Water Saving Measures and Analysis of a Spanish Case Study

Berbel

Gutiérrez‐Martín

Díaz

et al. 2014

Water Resour Manage

185

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“…Farmers' behavior to pursue the maximization of profit drives them to use saved irrigation water for growing vegetables and other crops. The loose enforcement in irrigation water allocation also offset the effects of water-saving efforts [3,33].…”

Section: Description Of the Heihe River Basinmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pricing or Quota? A Solution to Water Scarcity in Oasis Regions in China: A Case Study in the Heihe River Basin

et al. 2014

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Abstract:The conflict between increasing water demand and limited water resources has become a serious threat to oasis regions in China. Solutions to water scarcity have to curb overall water demands, especially reducing agricultural water use. Price control and quantitative control are the two most commonly applied policy instruments for water demand management. This paper used a bio-economic model (BEM) to examine the shadow price of water resources and to investigate farmers' response to water demand management policies in water scarce regions based on a study in the Heihe River Basin in northwest China. The results indicate that farmers are not very responsive to changes in water price, because it is currently far below the shadow price of water resources in most irrigation zones. A reduction of agricultural water demand could occur only with a large rise in the water price. In comparison, a quantitative control measure is more effective at reducing water use. Concerning the effects on farm income, a price control will cost much more than a quantitative control to save the same volume of water. Hence, a water quota is a more OPEN ACCESS Sustainability 2014, 6 7602 suitable choice for the purpose of reducing agricultural water use, while minimizing farm income loss in the region of this case study.

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“…In their model of deficit irrigation, Berbel and Mateos [13] expanded the model developed by English [5] to account for deficit irrigation, efficiency changes and the situation in which land is not a binding constraint and water is a limiting factor. Thus, farmers who behave rationally in an economic sense seek to maximize total net income:…”

Section: Water Use Decision-making By Irrigatorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microeconomics of Deficit Irrigation and Subjective Water Response Function for Intensive Olive Groves

Expósito

Berbel

2016

Water

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This research paper analyzes the economics of deficit irrigation based on the use of subjective estimates of the crop yield-water relationship to determine water supply in irrigated olive groves. Interviewed farmers were asked to give three estimates for the yield-water relationship as a function of water supply (full irrigation, usual deficit irrigation and extreme deficit irrigation). Those responses are contrasted with the actual irrigation dose and the results appear to support the hypothesis that a majority of farmers use deficit irrigation as a strategy that maximizes the value of limited water input rather than the conventional microeconomic behavior of maximizing the return to land.

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Does investment in irrigation technology necessarily generate rebound effects? A simulation analysis based on an agro-economic model

Cited by 109 publications

References 47 publications

Literature Review on Rebound Effect of Water Saving Measures and Analysis of a Spanish Case Study

Literature Review on Rebound Effect of Water Saving Measures and Analysis of a Spanish Case Study

Pricing or Quota? A Solution to Water Scarcity in Oasis Regions in China: A Case Study in the Heihe River Basin

Microeconomics of Deficit Irrigation and Subjective Water Response Function for Intensive Olive Groves

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