Irrigation: An Economic Driver For Alberta, Canada

The world's population is expected to reach about 9.8 billion by 2050 and more than 10 billion by the year 2100 - an increase of about 2.0 billion in 2024. Irrigation has played an important role in the production of the world's food supply and will play an even more critical role in helping meet food needs of the growing world population. Canada, with its large arable land base, small population, plentiful surface water resources, skilled agricultural producers, and reliable infrastructure, is well-positioned to help meet future global food demands. Most of Canada's irrigation development takes place in the province of Alberta - mainly in the semi-arid southern region. Irrigation in this region began in the late 1800s and has developed to become an integral part of the province's agriculture industry. This book identifies the economic impacts of irrigation development in this region of Alberta.