Potential for Tradable Water Allocation and Rights in Jordan

Abstract

This paper estimates the costs of buying water use rights from farmers located in the Mafraq-Azraq basin in Jordan. Farmers’ water supply curve is estimated using data gathered from a contingent valuation survey. Estimation results indicate that a total supply of 29 million m3 could be periodically purchased from farmers at an annual price of approximately JD 0.23/m3 (1 JD ≈ 0.70 U.S. dollars), or a total cost of about JD 6.8 million per year.Contingent valuation, non-parametric estimation, water supply curve, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,