American farmers are suffering. Some say it’s because Mexico isn’t keeping its promises. Farmers don’t need cash, they need water.
“This is the first year we’ve had zero irrigation water,” said Brian Jones, who has farmed near the border for nearly 40 years, and said the lack of irrigation water has led to significant declines in crop yields.
Under a 1940s treaty, Mexico is required to provide a certain amount of water. Lower Rio Grande Farmers in the region claim that the Mexican government is not fulfilling its obligations.
“I only have half my farm planted. The other half is sitting idle right now because we don’t have the water to grow crops,” Jones said.Luis Rivera, a professor and extension economist at Texas A&M University, helped write a report on the losses the U.S. could suffer if irrigation water continues to be unavailable in the region.
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Economic impacts of Mexico’s irrigation water shortages to the United States (Oliviana Calms)
“Just the direct impact to producers is going to be close to $500 million. We have over 8,500 jobs in agricultural production, distribution and that kind of thing, so that’s a big number,” Rivera said. Jones said the sugar mill just down the road from his house was the only one in the state that closed this year because it didn’t have enough water for production.
Jones said seeing the plant close was somber and reminded him of his own farm.
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Rio Grande Valley sugar producers close (Oliviana Calms)
“I hope that Mexico starts doing what they say they’re going to do,” Jones said.
Because of the lack of water, farmer Brian Jones says his harvest is significantly smaller than it should be. (Oliviana Calms)
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Prof Rivera said if this isn’t addressed, food prices could eventually start to rise.
