Evaluation of Management and Policy Issues Related to Irrigation of Agricultural Crops

As agricultural, urban and environmental interests increasingly compete for scarce global resources, many parts of the world are suffering from a rapid deterioration of water quality. Water is expected to severely limit further development unless conservation and efficiency measures are implemented (McCalla and Learn 1985). Agriculture, the most voracious consumer of water, is also a major polluter of soil and water resources with its by-products of pesticides, nitrates, and other hazardous materials (Batie et al. 1985).