Irrigation systems have been under pressure to produce more with lower supplies of water. Various innovative practices can gain an economic advantage while also reducing environmental burdens such as water abstraction, energy use, pollutants, etc. Farmers can better use technological systems already installed, adopt extra technologies, enhance their skills in soil and water management, tailor cropping patterns to water demand and usage, reduce agrochemical inputs etc. 

Improvement of irrigation efficiency can be done through irrigation scheduling, adopting practices such as deficit irrigation and conservation tillage, and installing more efficient irrigation systems. Sprinkler and drip irrigation systems are more efficient than furrow irrigation. Some of these strategies entail additional costs, but they can also lead to higher market value of crops.