Determinação do preço eficiente da água para irrigação no Projeto Curu-Paraipaba

Abstract

This study represents an attempt to evaluate the current criteria for the distribution and setting of the price of irrigation water. The study focuses the determination of the efficient price for water. Curently, the government allocates water based on average consumption per hectare, and the water price is set with the objective of recovering the costs of supplying it. There is no exclusive use ofwater. Crop income and the willingness of the producer to pay for water are not considered in the current allocation system. The model proposed in this study is based on short-term water demand curves derived from crop production functions for the 1995/96 crop year. The results demonstrate that 36,6 % of the irrigation water was not allocated to high value crops. If each cropped received the optimum quantity of water, the gross value of production would increase significantly. The revenue generated from paying for the water would more than cover the operation and maintenance costs of the water supply system.