ECONOMY
Investing to lower water risk in agriculture
PhD
P
There are many opportunities to get involved in solving water risk issues in agriculture, and many creative and collaborative partnerships looking for answers to agricultural challenges already exist.
recipitation-related changes in local conditions impact agricultural outcomes and motivate investing in irrigation infra- structure. Irrigation can help lead toward
desired yields and consistent production processes. Irrigation is especially vital in reducing the impacts of water shortages on agricultural production during droughts. The goal of investing in irrigation is to lower water risk in agriculture. However, the strategy for returns and sustainable outcomes appears to be complex. For instance, the approach to solutions may be challenged by unexpected changes in local hydrology conditions. Here, I seek to unravel a couple of factors increasing risk in agricultural production outcomes and challenging potential solutions.
The first challenge is the change in traditional precip- itation patterns. Due to increased weather extremes, we have been experiencing too little or too much water more frequently during the growing seasons. These changes in precipitation are increasing risk to growers, particularly in places that are used to relying on abundant water. Variability in precipitation is expected to continue, suggesting that the ability to adapt to changing local conditions in agriculture will grow in importance. Consequentially, more invest- ments in irrigation and drainage will be needed. For example, irrigation has already expanded in areas traditionally dependent on rainfed agriculture (e.g., Illinois, Indiana). This trend is expected to continue, which means that investments in irrigation technol- ogy will also increase in those areas. Spending and lending for water infrastructure and water supply solutions in agriculture will continue to grow. How- ever, to meaningfully match investments in solutions with water risk challenges in agriculture, it is import- ant to know current conditions in local hydrology as well as understand potential future changes in those conditions and their implications.
The second challenge is longer-term planning around groundwater availability. Forecasting ground- water levels can be especially difficult because links
6 Irrigation TODAY | Winter 2024
between precipitation, pumping and groundwater status may be complex. Local hydrological response can be very slow and initially hidden, explaining why, sometimes, aquifer depletion can appear unex- pected and sudden. Currently, investment decisions to reduce future risk in agricultural production are often based on historical hydrology characteristics.
Depleting groundwater sources can have significant effects on agricultural outcomes. These effects can mean poorer crop yields, lower farmers’ incomes, diminished farmland values and unpaid loans. Without knowing the potential risks and implications related to local water availability, growers can over- invest in irrigated production improvements. Some investments that have already been made will likely become stranded because the water won’t be there due to aquifer depletion or changes in snow hydrol- ogy and climate. Already, there is anecdotal evidence from the Southern High Plains and other regions supporting that agricultural water delivery infrastruc- ture cannot be used anymore due to depleted water resources.
Pointing out challenges is, of course, easier than prescribing tailored solutions. To effectively address complex issues arising from changes in precipitation and groundwater availability, it’s crucial to incorporate a wide range of perspectives and expert knowledge, ensuring that the solutions developed are practical and beneficial for growers. It is also important to consider that water risk in agriculture affects many stakeholders. There are many opportunities to get involved in solving water risk issues in agriculture, and many creative and collaborative partnerships looking for answers to agricultural challenges already exist. I’m especially excited about pathways to answers that invest in focusing on incentivizing sustainable water use practices.
irrigationtoday.org
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