Economics ETDs

Publication Date

Spring 5-16-2026

Abstract

Agriculture in dryland regions faces mounting pressure from climate change, water scarcity, and shifting land-use demands. The Middle Rio Grande Basin (MRGB) of central New Mexico exemplifies these challenges, where irrigated agriculture relies on increasingly variable surface water supplies. This dissertation examines agricultural water use, farmer decision-making, and adaptation strategies across farm types and climate conditions in the MRGB. The first study presents a spatial descriptive analysis of farm size, crop patterns, groundwater access, evapotranspiration (ET), and effective ET, revealing a landscape numerically dominated by smallholder farms that account for a substantial share of irrigation water use. The second study develops a utility-maximization framework that shows that smallholders often prioritize non-monetary benefits over profit. The third study applies a profit-optimization model to large-scale farms under alternative climate scenarios, demonstrating how water constraints and economic incentives shape land use, irrigation, and fallowing decisions. The dissertation highlights the need for water policies that integrate spatial conditions, cultural values, and economic incentives to support agricultural resilience and cultural continuity.

Degree Name

Economics

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

Department of Economics

First Committee Member (Chair)

Jingjing Wang

Second Committee Member

Robert P. Berrens

Third Committee Member

Benjamin A. Jones

Fourth Committee Member

Caroline Scruggs

Language

English

Keywords

Dryland Agriculture; Climate Change; Irrigated Agriculture; Spatial Distribution; Utility Maximization; Profit Maximization

Document Type

Dissertation

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