Determinants of irrigation technology choice in Egypt

Existing studies of irrigation technology choice broadly maintain that farmers adopt drip and sprinkler systems because these modern technologies increase yields and lower irrigation costs relative to traditional flooding. Supply-side assistance from extension agents and irrigation equipment firms dominate the literature's prescriptions for promoting adoption. The Egyptian land reclamation experience challenges the literature's assumptions regarding modern irrigation benefits, and demonstrates that demand-side agents, such as crop traders, are effective technology facilitators. Furthermore, the Egyptian case suggests that production flexibility and interactive relationships, both of which the recent industrial technology literature highlights as important adoption variables, also influence irrigation technology choice.