Peer effects in the diffusion of water-saving agricultural technologies

We investigate the role of peer effects in the diffusion of an important water-saving irrigation technology: low energy precise application (LEPA). Using detailed irrigation behavior data for growers in the High Plains Aquifer region of Kansas covering 1990-2014, we find clear evidence of peer influence in adoption of LEPA, net of environmental factors. Specifically, an additional neighboring LEPA installation within 1 km increases the probability of adoption by about 0.3 percentage points, on average, and this effect diminishes with distance. Our empirical estimates indicate that in the absence of peer effects, LEPA adoption would have been about 10% lower (1,000-1,600 fewer installations) per year. In addition, we find that growers install LEPA in response to higher energy prices.