Sustaining California Agriculture

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Sustaining California Agriculture

By: Dr. Peter H. Gleick and Heather Cooley and Juliet Christian-Smith

A new study by the Pacific Institute shows that agriculturalists employing new steps to significantly increase the efficiency of water use in California fields will result in a strong and healthy California agricultural sector that can flourish despite diminishing water supply.

The new report, Sustaining California Agriculture in an Uncertain Future was funded by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation quantifies the potential to reduce agricultural water withdrawals and vulnerability to drought and climate change while maintaining and even increasing productivity.

The report also features stories about several early adopters who have implemented water conservation and efficiency improvements that both reduce water use and increase their bottom line.

The report makes specific recommendations, such as property and sales tax exemptions, rebates for efficient irrigation equipment, greater federal support through Farm Bill conservation programs, and better water pricing policies.

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