Differentiating Water Price, Agricultural Water Cost and Water Fairness Based on Survey Data in Hubei Province

Abstract

【Objective】 Rational allocation of water resources is a key measure to solve the problem of water resource utilization and depends on water efficiency and water equity. As the main body of agricultural production, reducing the burden of farmers’ production cost is very important to ensure farmers’ production enthusiasm and ensure food production safety. Differentiating water price will lead to the difference of farmers' water use cost and the unfairness of water use. In this regard, the analysis of the influencing factors of differentiated water prices is of great significance to reasonably control the water cost, reduce the burden of farmers, reduce the regional water cost difference, and ensure the water equity among farmers. 【Method】 Based on the data of household survey and village collective interview in Hubei Province in 2020, combining with literature review, this paper analyzes the typical problems with obvious water price differences in the region, and discusses the influencing factors of water price differences. 【Result】 The current water price standard shows diverse characteristics, and the inter regional water price difference caused by the difference of resource endowment is reasonable, but there are still great differences in water prices in regions with similar resource endowment. Through comparative analysis, it is found that the differences in water cost to farmers in the region are caused by factors such as water fee management mode, bias policy implementation and the main body of water conservancy facilities construction, which is reflected in the differences in water prices in practice. 【Conclusion】 In order to narrow the difference in water use cost within the region and ensure fairness in agricultural water use, it is suggested to reasonably formulate water use management, promote water conservancy construction in non-irrigation areas and integrate individual water conservancy facilities with multi-investment.

Keywords

• agricultural water price
• differentiation
• fairness of water use
• resource endowment
• comprehensive reform of water price