The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Texas Water Resources Institute (TWRI) and project partners are asking agricultural producers and irrigation district managers and board members in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) to participate in a surveyregarding water conservation programs and opportunities.
“Agriculture is the Valley’s biggest economic sector and is also the No. 1 user of water,” said Dr. Lucas Gregory, a TWRI research scientist. “Ensuring there is sufficient water for irrigation is vital to sustain and grow this $28 billion industry.”
“TWRI and project partners including AgriLife Extension, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, Texas A&M University-Kingsville Citrus Center, Harlingen Irrigation District and WaterPR have been tasked with delivering water conservation and efficiency programs to growers and irrigation districts,” he said. “To do this more effectively, we are asking Valley growers and irrigation district staff or board members to participate in a brief online survey.”
Gregory siad the survey is short, safe and important.
“It will take less than 10 minutes to complete and survey answers will be anonymous. And participants will be given the option to share their email address if they are interested in further discussion.”
The survey can be found at http://SpeakUpAg.com. Information from the survey, funded by an Agricultural Water Conservation grant from the Texas Water Development Board to AgriLife Extension and TWRI, will be used to improve future irrigated-related programming in the LRGV.
“This information will be used to better educate producers on how irrigation water efficiency can offer growers proven ways to save water, enhance yields and improve net cash farm income,” he said.
Gregory also noted that this year TWRI’s LRGV Irrigation Education and Outreach project team will deliver programs to educate area producers and irrigation districts on water conservation strategies and explain the benefits of these strategies in comparison to conventional water management practices.
“Texas A&M AgriLife, Texas A&M University-Kingsville and partners are continuing to develop and demonstrate new methods for improving water resource management in the Valley,” he said. “Adopting water-conserving agricultural practices will go a long way toward conserving water needed for future growth, ensuring the continued vitality of the area’s agriculture and making a positive impact on the LRGV’s economy and environment.”
For more information, contact Gregory.
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