Development of a water transfer compensation classification: A case study between China, Japan, America and Australia

The compensation mechanism for agricultural water transfer (CMAWT) is an important method for reducing or eliminating the negative effects of agricultural water transfer. Summarizing global CMAWT experiences is important to set up a reasonable CMAWT in China. In this study, a classification theory for CMAWT is established to evaluate the CMAWT of China, Japan, America, and Australia. Results showed that China's CMAWT is converting from the bureaucratic to the market type. Japan's CMAWT is mainly the autonomous type. CMAWT of America and Australia are market type. Water transfer market in Australia is more sophisticated among the comparison countries. Government of China and Japan participated more in the agricultural water transfer than the government of America and Australia. Farmers participated least in agricultural water transfer in China than in other compared countries. The case study showed that the proposed theory can classify the CMAWT of different countries.