Sophisticated irrigation technology and biotechnology adoption: impact on ground water conservation

A county-wide dynamic optimization model is used to evaluate the potential contributions associated with the adoption of sophisticated irrigation system technology and anticipated biotechnological advances in crop production on ground water conservation. The results indicate that adoption of these technologies could contribute significantly to ground water conservation efforts. Key words: biotechnology; sophisticated irrigation technology; ground water conservation. Irrigated agriculture in the U.S. critically depends on ground water supplies. About two-thirds of all irrigated acreage in the U.S. utilizes ground water supplies. Of fourteen million acres irrigated in areas where ground water aquifers are declining four million are located in Texas (National Research Council). The majority of this Texas acreage is located in the Texas High Plains (THP), where the Ogallala Aquifer is the main source of irrigation water. The aquifer’s saturated thickness in the THP, the interval between the water table and the bottom of the aquifer, ranges from 0 to 300 feet. Over the last three decades, the saturated thickness of the aquifer has significantly decreased as a result of continued overdraft. Moreover, pumping lift, the distance between the surface and the water table, is expected to continually increase over time since sources o