From News Line, a daily compilation of farm water news distributed to CFWC members and others upon request. To receive News Line, click here.

California Farmers Explore Water-Conserving Agriculture For A Drought-Filled Future

Coalition response…There is a reason dry land farming has been declining in popularity, as the article states. It’s just not as productive. According to a 2001 study by Peralta and Stockle, irrigation on land allows it to be twice as productive. Modern irrigation techniques, such as those widely used in California, have almost immensely increased crop production on the same amount of applied water as was used over 40 years ago. At a time when millions of people worldwide are entering middle income brackets and becoming larger food consumers, does it make sense to adopt old, less productive practices when they could hasten a global food shortage?

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