The Irrigation Association, Fairfax, Virginia, released its irrigation economic impact study: “Economic Impact of the Irrigation Equipment and Services Industry” Dec. 2.
Produced in partnership by the IA and the Irrigation Innovation Consortium, the 2020 economic impact study focused on determining the economic impact of irrigation manufacturing, distribution, consulting, design, installation and maintenance of irrigation technologies and products in the United States, for both agricultural and landscape. This follows up a similar study conducted in 2010 that confirmed the size and importance of the irrigation industry but contained little analysis about important economic drivers and other value-added aspects related to irrigation.
It was discovered in the 2020 study that the irrigation industry is “a vibrant and healthy industry” with an about $9 billion direct economic impact and a $23.3 billion impact when including indirect induced impacts. There are over 70,000 jobs across the industry, which grows to 167,000 jobs when including secondary impacts.
“This study shows the sizable impact the irrigation industry has on the economy and, when compared to a similar 2010 study, demonstrates the industry’s ability to overcome challenges and innovate to continue growing,” the study says.
The economic impact study will be officially released during the Irrigation Show and Education Week in San Diego. The full study and the executive summary are available for review on the IA’s website. The principal researcher, George Oamek of Headwaters Corporation, will share the results Dec. 9 between 3 and 5 p.m. This event is free for Irrigation Show attendees and will be livestreamed on the IIC’s YouTube channel. IIC Executive Director Tim Martin and IA CEO Deborah Hamlin, CAE, FASAE, will co-moderate.
“This new study illustrates the large impact that the irrigation industry has on our economy and how it has grown over the last 10 years,” says Hamlin. “We invite those involved in both ag and landscape irrigation to join us on Dec. 9 during the Irrigation Show to learn more about the results of this study and how it affects their business and the industry.”
The Dec. 9 event will also include updates on other public-private collaborative projects supported by the IIC. For more information about the Dec. 9 event, the 2021 Irrigation Show and how to register, visit the show’s website.
