Excerpt
“Water shortages are on the rise nationwide. Water flows not downhill, but toward money. Urban areas have the money, the people, and the need. Agriculture in many instances has the water.”-Thomas H. Kimmell, CLIA
The American farmer is resourceful and resilient, but agriculture faces two big challenges in coming years: dwindling support for crop subsidies and water shortages. Changes in farm programs may be a key to improving the water situation.
Agriculture crop support programs are under attack worldwide and the downward pressure on them is strong in the United States. Agriculture subsidy programs aren't necessarily going away, but are changing to fit the current situation. Programs like the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Conservation Security Program (CSP), which support environmental stewardship, represent the trend.
Water shortages are on the rise nationwide. Water flows not downhill, but toward money. Urban areas have the money, the people, and the need Agriculture in many instances has the water. Eighty percent of the water used in this country, is used …
Footnotes
Thomas H. Kimmell, CLIA, is executive director of The Irrigation Association, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote efficient and effective water management and be the voice of the irrigation industry worldwide.
- Copyright 2004 by the Soil and Water Conservation Society
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