Does irrigation modernization enhance drought performance? : Evidence from a qualitative comparative analysis
Hoffmann, Patrick (University of Augsburg)
Villamayor-Tomas, Sergio (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals)

Date:	2026
Abstract:	The increasing frequency and severity of droughts pose a serious threat to the functioning and sustainability of irrigation systems. Policymakers and practitioners have set forth high expectations that the modernization of irrigation systems would reduce agricultural water demand by increasing the efficiency of water application. How new technologies produce outcomes, however, is strongly interdependent with other variables relevant in the context of community-based irrigation management. Employing a qualitative comparative analysis, our study aims to uncover how modernization, in combination with other irrigation system characteristics, contributes to drought performance of irrigation management, as measured through the satisfaction of farmers with key community governance tasks during droughts. According to the results, micro-irrigation systems employ a relatively lower number of adaptation measures, the majority of which are supply-side oriented. Alternatively, furrow irrigation systems tend to rely on demand-side measures and depend more strongly on assembly participation when a relatively high number of measures are implemented. Our findings echo previous calls for renewed attention to solutions emerging from traditional irrigation systems and nuance irrigation modernization as the major solution to face droughts and water scarcity. The findings advocate for consideration of different responses of water user associations to drought for policy design. Moreover, efforts aimed at modernization should consider their effects on path dependencies, collective action dynamics, and environmental goals.
Grants:	Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación CNS2022–136063
Note:	Unidad de excelencia María de Maeztu CEX2019-000940-M
Rights:	Aquesta url de drets no existeix a la base de dades.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Subject:	Adaptation ; Irrigation efficiency ; Spain ; Water governance ; Water scarcity
Published in:	Agricultural Water Management, Vol. 328 (May 2026) , art. 110320, ISSN 1873-2283

DOI: 10.1016/j.agwat.2026.110320

16 p, 1.2 MB

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Research literature > UAB research groups literature > Research Centres and Groups (research output) > Experimental sciences > Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals (ICTA)
Articles > Research articles
Articles > Published articles