Relationship between Irrigation Water Price and Consumption

Economic theory was applicated to analyze the relationship between irrigation water price and consumption.Agricultural irrigation water demand functions for different irrigation area were formed based on actual survey data from 2000 to 2009 and computing irrigation water price elasticity of demand was computed in three irrigation districts of Fengjiashan,Yangmaowan,Shibaochuan.The results showed that: in the Guanzhong irrigation area,Shibaochuan irrigation district had maximum flexibility(-1.11);Fengjiashan irrigation district and Yangmaowan Irrigation district elasticities were-0.47 and-0.69.Water prices increased by 1 percent,the irrigation water decreased by 0.47% to 1.11%.In irrigation District for the current low price of water,improving the water price would produce significant water-saving effect;the current high of irrigation water pricing,if the price of water continued to increase,to some extent farmers' enthusiasm of water was dampened.