Technological Change in Ground Water Use in Spain During the 20th Century. A Regional View

Abstract

Recent specialized literature emphasizes the importance of water as a constricting factor in Spanish agriculture development. Hence, the emphasis given to the technological change during the last century, that diminished water deficit and stimulated irrigation expansion. This study is a contribution to the literature on the use of ground water for irrigation from the World War. The authors analyze the process of technical innovations applied to ground water irrigation systems and also the economic and environmental involvement in Spanish agrarian systems, particularly in the latest 20th century. The study about the process of technical change follows a regional perspective.