Informing drought mitigation policy by estimating the value of water for crop production

Abstract Farmers use irrigation to mitigate drought risk and reduce yield uncertainty. A clear understanding of the monetary value water how it varies across time space can help inform farmers policymakers about potential impacts shortages uncertainty in decision making. Here, we introduce a framework for economic used produce corn central High Plains region during period 2010–2017. Our analysis uses publicly available data price irrigated non-irrigated yields incorporates requirement adjustments account hydrologic balance. The findings suggest that per unit is highest not severe droughts more arid areas study region, but rather when where make largest improvements average crop productivity. Policy changes informed by these results might future on agriculture, especially climate change may lead large increases supplemental irrigation.