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Increasing Food Production in Asia Through Investments in Irrigation: Potential and Problems

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 May 2017

Leslie E. Small*
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Economics, Cook College, New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08903
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Abstract

Technological developments in rice production in Asia have greatly increased the potential returns to irrigation investments. It is likely that a substantial amount of resources will be allocated to irrigation development in the next two decades. But past experience suggests that the returns actually realized on these investments will be disappointing unless greater attention is paid to problems of effective water management, particularly in the main irrigation system. Human and institutional capabilities, and not physical or financial capital, are likely to be the most limiting factors in dealing with these problems.

Type
Contributed Papers
Copyright
Copyright © Northeastern Agricultural and Resource Economics Association 

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Footnotes

New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station Publication No. D-02002-2-82, supported by State funds and by U.S. Agency for International Development funds.

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