Does the instutional environment have an impact on irrigation pratices? Econometric analysis based on farm-level data from Charente-Maritime

The development of irrigation since the 1970s explains much of the disequilibrium observed in many territories between the water resources available and the quantity of anthropogenic water withdrawals. We aim to analyse the impact of public policies on irrigation decisions. First, irrigation decisions in 2003 and 2009 are evaluated using a sequential probit model. Second, an attempt is made to identify the determining factors of the evolution of irrigation intensity, and to estimate the effect of environmental policy instruments. To do so, a Heckman procedure is used to correct for double selection bias related to irrigation choices in 2003 and 2009. Whilst the successive CAP reforms have sought to reduce incentives for irrigation, such efforts still seem too limited compared to the benefits of irrigation for field crop farms. Furthermore, the results show that in this context only regulatory tools reduce irrigation significantly.