Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Environmental Sciences

Document Type

Dissertation

Abstract

         

This dissertation evaluates the economic performance and adoption potential of climate-smart irrigation practices in Louisiana rice production systems, with particular emphasis on Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD). Rice producers in the U.S. Mid-South face increasing challenges associated with rising input costs, water management constraints, and climate variability, creating interest in production practices that improve resilience and resource-use efficiency.

The first component of this study analyzes the profitability and risk efficiency of alternative irrigation systems using stochastic simulation and Stochastic Efficiency with Respect to a Function (SERF). Results indicate that Hybrid AWD systems in Morehouse Parish consistently generated the highest risk-adjusted returns across a wide range of producer risk aversion levels, while several conventional flooding systems and Arkansas alternatives generated lower expected net returns due to differences in production costs and market assumptions.

The second component examines Louisiana rice producers’ perceptions, awareness, and stated willingness to adopt climate-smart agricultural practices using survey data and ordered logit analysis. Results suggest that education level, farm size, interest in financial decision-support tools, and concern regarding weather-related yield losses positively influence adoption intent. In contrast, greater farming experience was associated with lower willingness to adopt alternative practices.

Overall, the findings demonstrate that both economic and behavioral factors influence adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices. The integration of stochastic economic analysis with producer survey data provides a more comprehensive understanding of the opportunities and barriers associated with climate-smart irrigation adoption in Louisiana rice production systems.

Date

7-2-2026

Committee Chair

Margaret Reams

LSU Acknowledgement

1

LSU Accessibility Acknowledgment

1

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