Speaker A: 'The government should mandate drip irrigation statewide to conserve groundwater.' Speaker B: 'A statewide mandate will bankrupt marginal smallholders who cannot afford the high upfront capital cost of filtration units.' On what specific point do Speaker A and Speaker B disagree?
Options:
(A) Whether a mandatory statewide policy enforcing drip irrigation is advisable and equitable.
(B) Whether drip irrigation saves water.
(C) Whether groundwater exists in the state.
(D) Whether smallholder farmers cultivate crops.
Answer Key:
A
Step-by-Step Solution & Explanation
Both agree drip saves water; they disagree on whether imposing a statewide mandatory adoption policy is appropriate given financial equity impacts.