Economics of Irrigated Specialty Crop Production in Southeastern Oklahoma

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the economics of irrigated specialty crop production in the southeastern portion of the state of Oklahoma. Water collection structure cost curves were approximated for three scenarios, 1) ~ndividual producers, 2) irrigation districts, and 3) irrigation districts financed with available state guaranteed low interest bond funds. Structure costs, in addition to production information for seventeen specialty crops, were incorporated into a linear programming model designed to maximize net returns for the farm operation. Irrigated specialty crop production supported by an individual financed, on-farm water collection structure was estimated to generate substantial profits to producers. It was estimated that producers who opt to join a multi-member irrigation district to take advantage of. economies of s1ze in the construction of water structures, experience even greater returns. The economic value of the available state guaranteed low interest bond funds is restricted to the amount of the interest saved in the financing of the irrigation system.