Determinants of individual preferences for unconventional water for irrigation use: empirical literature review

The mobilization of non-conventional water resources represents a crucial policy issue to water stress, mainly for irrigation. Understanding this strategy requires an in-depth analysis of the determinants that influence the individual choices of farmers of this resource for irrigation use. This article presents a synthesis of the literature that has analyzed these determinants. Indeed, the review of the different models demonstrates the adoption of contingent valuation methods, while using different econometric methods such as Probit, Logit and censored Tobit. Furthermore, examination of the literature review revealed the richness of elicitation modes adopted in determining farmers' individual preferences (IP) for non-conventional water, such as payment card and referendum methods. Also, the prediction results obtained from the econometric analysis of previous studies made it possible to emphasize the determinants of farmers' (IP) for the use of non-conventional water in irrigation. In this sense, there are socio-economic variables, such as level of education, family size, income, etc., that can explain farmers’ IP. Variables linked to economic activity, including farm size, age and type of farm. Variables related to the use of conventional water, like the quantity of water received, the use of groundwater and satisfaction with the current water supply service, etc. And variables associated with farmers’ concerns about environmental problems, such as pollution, shortage and overexploitation of conventional water.