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Irrigated Agriculture: Technologies, Practices, and Implications for Water Scarcity

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Report Type Reports and Testimonies
Report Date Nov. 12, 2019
Release Date Nov. 12, 2019
Report No. GAO-20-128SP
Summary:

Nationwide, irrigation consumed 20-30 trillion gallons of water in 2015. Most irrigation is in the West, where water is relatively scarce and precipitation low.

The 3 main irrigation technologies—gravity, sprinkler, and micro—can all be modified to be more efficient and save water. But in practice, farms may use such water savings to increase yield, switch to thirstier crops, or irrigate more land.

To address water scarcity, federal policymakers could offer incentives to use more efficient technology or practices, in return for farmers’ agreeing to reduce water consumption.

Irrigation and water scarcity across the contiguous United States

Map showing areas of low to extremely high water scarcity, arid and low water use areas, and irrigated areas

Map showing areas of low to extremely high water scarcity, arid and low water use areas, and irrigated areas

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