Examining the perceptions and behaviours of farmers regarding the installation of covers over irrigation ponds: Evidence from South-east Spain
The installation of covers over ponds for agricultural irrigation is a feasible alternative to reduce evaporative water losses. However, the installation of these systems continues to be very limited. Understanding the factors that influence the behaviour of farmers towards this type of installati...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | info:eu-repo/semantics/article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2023
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/10835/14899 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2022.107999 |
| Summary: | The installation of covers over ponds for agricultural irrigation is a feasible alternative to reduce evaporative
water losses. However, the installation of these systems continues to be very limited. Understanding the factors
that influence the behaviour of farmers towards this type of installation is fundamental because they are the
individuals making the final decision. This article analyses the perceptions and behaviours of farmers towards the
installation of covers in agricultural irrigation ponds in southeastern Spain. A cluster analysis characterized four
groups of farmers related to this practice. The results show that these clusters present different perceptions towards
the installation of covers, their possible advantages and the different incentives that can be established to
promote their implementation. Technical and agronomic aspects play an important role in installation decisions,
while economic and environmental aspects are considered secondary. Based on these results, actionable recommendations
are proposed for policy-makers. The findings of this study can be very useful in those regions in
which it is desired to promote the installation of covers over ponds for agricultural irrigation. |
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