Productivity and Efficiency

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, water efficiency is the smart use of our water resources through water-saving technologies and simple steps. Using water efficiently will help ensure reliable water supplies today and for future generations. Topics addressed in this theme provide insights, lessons, and guidance on how diverse stakeholders are working to improve water management and reduce water use.

Productivity and Efficiency Resources

Current Research Information System (CRIS)

U.S. Department of Agriculture
The Current Research Information System (CRIS) provides documentation and reporting for ongoing agricultural, food science, human nutrition, and forestry research, education and extension activities for the United States Department of Agriculture; with a focus on the National Institute of Food and...Read more
Regional focus: 
United States

Water Conservation in Irrigated Agriculture: Trends and Challenges in the Face of Emerging Demands

Published: 
September 1, 2012
U.S. Department of Agriculture
U.S. agriculture accounts for 80-90 percent of the Nation's consumptive water use (water lost to the environment by evaporation, crop transpiration, or incorporation into products). Despite technological innovations, at least half of U.S. irrigated cropland acreage is still irrigated with less...Read more
Regional focus: 
United States

Agricultural Water Security Listening Session -Final Report

Published: 
September 10, 2004
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Agricultural water security is described as the need to maintain adequate water supplies to meet the food and fiber needs of the expanding population maximizing the efficiency of water use by farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. This literature reports on best practices for stakeholder...Read more
Regional focus: 
United States

Soil, Nutrient, and Water Management Systems Used in U.S. Corn Production

Published: 
April 1, 2002
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Corn production uses over 25 percent of the Nation's cropland and more than 40 percent of the commercial fertilizer applied to crops. Thus, corn farmers' choices of soil, nutrient, and water management systems can have a major impact not only on their own profitability, but also on the...Read more
Regional focus: 
United States

Agricultural Resource Management Survey - Phase III

Published: 
November 1, 2012
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Data collected in the Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS) is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's primary source of information on agricultural resource use and costs, farm sector financial conditions, and farm household finances. The ARMS is the only source of information available...Read more
Regional focus: 
United States

Water Quality Impacts of Agriculture

Published: 
July 21, 2006
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Agricultural production releases residuals, like sediment and pesticides, that may degrade the quality of water resources and impose costs on water users. Agriculture is the leading source of impairments in the Nation's rivers and lakes and a major source of impairments to estuaries. However,...Read more
Regional focus: 
United States

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