Located on the periphery of the Rio Grande, Frank Schuster's Val Verde Vegetable Co., a 3,000-acre farm in Pharr, Texas, has been reliant on the river for irrigation since 1977. The Rio Grande, essential for the cultivation of vegetables in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, is experiencing increasing salinity levels, posing a significant threat to agricultural productivity in the region. Schuster, like many farmers in the area, has observed the detrimental effects of heightened salinity on crops, including cabbages, onions, and turnips. Salinity levels exceeding 1,200 parts per million have been particularly challenging, with instances in 2020 where levels reached 2,000 ppm, drastically reducing vegetable yields by up to 40%.
The issue of rising salinity in the Rio Grande is compounded by climate change and higher water usage by Mexico, leading to reduced river flow and concentrated salt content. This situation has left farmers with limited options, as alternative water sources are scarce. The environmental dilemma requires binational cooperation between the U.S. and Mexico, with potential solutions ranging from the construction of desalination plants to the implementation of strict irrigation schedules. However, diplomatic tensions, rooted in an eighty-year-old treaty regarding water distribution, complicate these efforts. Both nations face the challenge of improving water quality in the Rio Grande, a critical resource for agriculture and ecosystems in the region.
As 2023 concludes, Mexico has fulfilled only 21 percent of its water delivery obligations to the U.S., highlighting the urgency for collaborative solutions to address the water quality issues affecting farmers on both sides of the border.
Source: texasmonthly.com
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