Modern irrigation systems are key to improving the productivity of water and land units. This study assesses the economic aspects of the drip irrigation system (DIS) by calculating the investment profitability and economic efficiency of the DIS for growing tomatoes in Egypt. One hundred tomato farmers were surveyed. Financial discounted criteria were used in addition to data envelopment analysis to estimate the economic efficiency of growing tomatoes using the DIS. The results showed that investment in the DIS is lucrative, with an increase of 67% in the net return per hectare, compared with results using non‐drip irrigation. The benefit–cost ratio amounted to 1.35, the net present value was US$1720, and the internal rate of return was 44%. The data envelopment analysis results revealed that most farms achieved technical and allocative efficiencies; however, cost and scale efficiencies still need improvement. These results could guide policymakers when designing irrigation transformation strategies that involve the use of micro‐credit to encourage small farmers to change from conventional irrigation systems to DISs. Agricultural extension agencies should organize intensive training programmes for small farmers on how to operate and maintain the DIS. These policies will accelerate the adoption of irrigation modernization and help vulnerable farmers maximize productivity and achieve sustainability in the use of limited resources.

中文翻译：

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滴灌系统的投资收益率和经济效率：来自埃及的证据*

现代灌溉系统是提高水利和土地单位生产力的关键。这项研究通过计算埃及种植西红柿的DIS的投资收益率和经济效率来评估滴灌系统（DIS）的经济方面。对一百个番茄种植者进行了调查。除了数据包络分析外，还使用财务折现准则来估计使用DIS种植西红柿的经济效率。结果表明，与非滴灌相比，DIS的投资可观，每公顷净收益增加了67％。效益成本比为1.35，净现值为1720美元，内部收益率为44％。数据包络分析结果表明，大多数农场都达到了技术和分配效率；但是，成本和规模效率仍然需要改进。这些结果可以指导政策制定者设计涉及小额信贷的灌溉转型战略，以鼓励小农从传统的灌溉系统转变为DIS。农业推广机构应该为小农户组织有关如何操作和维护DIS的强化培训计划。这些政策将加速采用灌溉现代化，并帮助脆弱的农民最大程度地提高生产力，并在有限的资源使用中实现可持续性。这些结果可以指导政策制定者设计涉及小额信贷的灌溉转型战略，以鼓励小农从传统的灌溉系统转变为DIS。农业推广机构应该为小农户组织有关如何操作和维护DIS的强化培训计划。这些政策将加速采用灌溉现代化，并帮助弱势农民最大限度地提高生产力，并在有限的资源使用中实现可持续性。这些结果可以指导政策制定者设计涉及小额信贷的灌溉转型战略，以鼓励小农从传统的灌溉系统转变为DIS。农业推广机构应该为小农户组织有关如何操作和维护DIS的强化培训计划。这些政策将加速采用灌溉现代化，并帮助脆弱的农民最大程度地提高生产力，并在有限的资源使用中实现可持续性。