An Economic Comparison of the Irrigation of Corn in Humid and Arid Regions of the United States

摘要

The objectives of the research presented in the report was (1) to measure the marginal product of water in the production of corn in arid and humid regions of the United States and (2) to suggest implications of this analysis for public policy decisions in the future. The analysis involved estimations of production functions for irrigated corn in several states based upon agronomic data from experimental test plots. Alternative functional forms were examined and the three-halves polynomial function was selected to compare the marginal products among the states. The results indicated differences exist among states in the marginal product of water in corn production. Since these differences are not directly related to the areas where irrigation development has been publicly financed in contrast to privately supported.