The impact of converting to drip irrigation on water use valuation

Abstract The issue of irrigation water uses and conservation were mains of significant importance due to the increasing scarcity of water resources. Recognizing this situation, Morocco initiated the National Program for Water Saving in Irrigation, which focuses on two key components: the conservation and valuation of irrigation water. The program aims to transition surface irrigation systems into localized irrigation systems. This study endeavors to estimate and analyze the impact of converting to drip irrigation on both the financial and agronomic valuation of irrigation water for onion cultivation in the Fez-Meknes region. The research is based on a sample of 63 farms selected from a population engaged in onion cultivation, consisting of both drip irrigation and surface irrigation practices. Surveys were conducted for each farm to gather both quantitative and qualitative information, spanning the crop years 2022 and 2008. To assess the program’s impact on irrigation water valuation, the double difference method was applied to our sample. Furthermore, an ordinary regression model, implemented using GRETL software, was employed to analyze the determinants of irrigation water valuation. The results obtained through the double difference method reveal a positive average impact of the program on farmers’ financial and agronomic valuation, estimated at 3.2 DH/m 3 and 5.58 kg/m 3 , respectively.