THE ECONOMIC DEMAND FOR IRRIGATED ACREAGE

1. Introduction 2. Resource utilization in American agriculture 2.1 Resource inputs and technological change 2.2 Changes in resource combinations 2.3 The growth of irrigation 3. Regional resource productivity and growth models 3.1 The elasticity framework for resource use projections 3.2 The productivity model 3.3 The demand model 3.4 The equilibrium model 3.5 Estimation of the production function 3.6 The demand and equilibrium models: Advantages and limitations 4. Irrigation productivity and cost comparisons 4.1 The regional production function estimates 4.2 The marginal value productivity estimates 4.3 Cost and productivity comparisons for Western water resource regions 4.4 Cost and productivity comparisons for Eastern water resource regions 4.5 Prospects for expansion of irrigated acreage 5. Irrigated acreage projections to 1980 5.1 Irrigated acreage projections for Western water resource regions 5.2 Irrigated acreage projections for Eastern water resource regions 5.3 Comparison of agency and model solution projections 5.4 Comparisons between all Eastern and Western water resource regions 5.5 A note on the demand for irrigation water in 1980 6. Irrigated acreage projections and irrigation policy 6.1 Evaluation of elasticity model projections 6.2 Implications for additional research 6.3 Policy implications and conclusions Appendix 1. Alternative resource productivity coefficients and factor marginal value productivity estimates for water resource and farming regions Appendix 2. Total and average farm output and input measures for water resource regions Appendix 3. National and regional farm output projections

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