New study shows economic impact of the irrigation equipment and services industry
Renata Rimšaitė, a postdoctoral research associate with DWFI and the National Drought Mitigation Center, collaborated on an assessment conducted by the Headwaters Corporation on behalf of the Irrigation Association and the Irrigation Innovation Consortium, which measured the economic impact of the irrigation industry in the United States in 2020.
The study found that the industry has been growing by 2% per year since 2010. It also found the industry has a direct economic impact of nearly $9 billion and indirect impacts of $23.3 billion, creating more than 70,000 direct jobs - 167,000 jobs when secondary impacts are included. The study includes agricultural, commercial, residential, and horticultural irrigation and provides an update on the industry's growth since a similar study completed in 2010.
Gathering information for the assessment presented a challenge, as much of the data is not publicly available. However, the study was able to reveal industry trends by using economic analysis tools to piece together publicly available data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and conversations with industry members.
According to the Irrigation Association, quantifying the economic impact of the irrigation industry is important in order to document irrigation's output, increase its credibility and provide insights for business planning.
"This assessment provides a tool for the irrigation industry to show that they are not just implementing water-conserving technology," said Rimsaite, "but are valuably contributing to the economy as well."
FY 2022 Annual Report
- Overview
- Letter from the Executive Director
-
Research and Policy
-
Nebraska + Regional
- DWFI offers suite of tools to improve irrigation water use and agricultural productivity
- Understanding groundwater markets and transfers in Nebraska
- Water management for improving water use, sustainability
- Research looks to control nitrate leaching, protect Nebraska groundwater
- DWFI researching solutions, fostering communication regarding AltEn environmental crisis in Mead, Nebraska
- Nitrate Strategy Groups release calls for action
- Mapping geographic heat inequities in urban areas
-
Global + National
- New report explores the business ecosystem for smallholder irrigation in Rwanda
- Visit to Nebraska results in water management partnership with Brazil
- New study shows economic impact of the irrigation equipment and services industry
- DWFI and Mammoth Water launch report of water market readiness
- USDA partnering with Nebraska Water Center to enhance modeling system
- Faculty Fellows
-
Supported Students
- Water for Food Research Forum showcases exciting student work
- DWFI welcomes new round of student support recipients
- Student's fertigation startup awarded first Husker Venture Fund investment
- Four DWFI supported students receive doctoral degrees
- Nebraska researchers are following the water
- Heeren Inspires Students through Irrigation Field Course
-
Nebraska + Regional
-
Communication, Education + Outreach
- DWFI reconnects with international partners and projects
- Nebraska Water Center seminars focus on hydro-tourism, economic development in Nebraska
- Nebraska Water Center conference held in Scottsbluff
- Virtual forum broadens institute's reach
- Aquifer recharge project in Nebraska featured in international publication
- Digital growth: Water for Food Podcast and online engagement
- Development
-
Photo essays
- DWFI discusses water management with delegation from Kenya
- DWFI and Nebraska Water Center engage with attendees at UNL East Campus Discovery Days
- DWFI and Nebraska Water Center participate in UNL Sustainability Kickoff event
- DWFI hosts students Faculty Fellow for fall welcome event
- DWFI sponsors annual Earthstock event on University of Nebraska Lincoln campus
- Resources
- Search
FY 2022 Annual Report
- Overview
- Letter from the Executive Director
-
Research and Policy
-
Nebraska + Regional
- DWFI offers suite of tools to improve irrigation water use and agricultural productivity
- Understanding groundwater markets and transfers in Nebraska
- Water management for improving water use, sustainability
- Research looks to control nitrate leaching, protect Nebraska groundwater
- DWFI researching solutions, fostering communication regarding AltEn environmental crisis in Mead, Nebraska
- Nitrate Strategy Groups release calls for action
- Mapping geographic heat inequities in urban areas
-
Global + National
- New report explores the business ecosystem for smallholder irrigation in Rwanda
- Visit to Nebraska results in water management partnership with Brazil
- New study shows economic impact of the irrigation equipment and services industry
- DWFI and Mammoth Water launch report of water market readiness
- USDA partnering with Nebraska Water Center to enhance modeling system
- Faculty Fellows
-
Supported Students
- Water for Food Research Forum showcases exciting student work
- DWFI welcomes new round of student support recipients
- Student's fertigation startup awarded first Husker Venture Fund investment
- Four DWFI supported students receive doctoral degrees
- Nebraska researchers are following the water
- Heeren Inspires Students through Irrigation Field Course
-
Nebraska + Regional
-
Communication, Education + Outreach
- DWFI reconnects with international partners and projects
- Nebraska Water Center seminars focus on hydro-tourism, economic development in Nebraska
- Nebraska Water Center conference held in Scottsbluff
- Virtual forum broadens institute's reach
- Aquifer recharge project in Nebraska featured in international publication
- Digital growth: Water for Food Podcast and online engagement
- Development
-
Photo essays
- DWFI discusses water management with delegation from Kenya
- DWFI and Nebraska Water Center engage with attendees at UNL East Campus Discovery Days
- DWFI and Nebraska Water Center participate in UNL Sustainability Kickoff event
- DWFI hosts students Faculty Fellow for fall welcome event
- DWFI sponsors annual Earthstock event on University of Nebraska Lincoln campus
- Resources
- Search
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Residents near Mead, Nebraska, noticed trouble about five years ago when they noticed a stench in the air, pets were becoming ill, and some Mead citizens reported headaches and nausea.
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DWFI continually explores new technology and enhances existing tools to help farm producers and water managers address complex challenges to water use.
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