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The Los Angeles Times held a forum in Clovis to discuss water conservation throughout the state. In a panel on the state’s agriculture, Peter King, senior correspondent for the Los Angeles Times, and Karen Ross, Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, discussed agriculture and the impact the California drought is having on the industry.
“Looking ahead I see the continued resiliency, the continued adoption of appropriate technology, and the use of that technology to create more productivity with less inputs. Drip irrigation and subsurface irrigation are perfect examples of saving water, saving inputs and optimizing yields. It is what we have to do as we have less arable land and less available water,” said Ross. “Even in a changing climate, I still look at California agriculture and think the best days for California agriculture are yet to be here.”
The panel discussed the in-depth benefits that growers see when utilizing drip irrigation systems. Not only are they saving water – and money – but they are able to micro target which crops are being water and when. This allows farmers and growers to water the crops that absolutely need the water, while leaving other crops untouched.
“California’s farmers have a strong record of developing and implementing water efficiency practices to optimize water use and adapt to drought. The path to a more sustainable water future will undoubtedly require a renewed emphasis on providing growers with the right tools, technology, and knowledge to help them maximize water productivity per acre,” said John Vikupitz, CEO of Netafim USA, an irrigation company.
Although the agricultural industry has made great strides in being more water conscientious, environmental leaders throughout the state believe more can be done, especially during the severe California drought. They explained the need for increasing water efficiency, improving storage and groundwater supply.
