Institute asking for input on Lower Rio Grande Valley water conservation
Producers, water district personnel requested to participate in survey
Writer: Paul Schattenberg, 210-859-5752, paschattenberg@ag.tamu.edu
Dr. Lucas Gregory, 979-845-7869, lfgregory@ag.tamu.edu
COLLEGE STATION — The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Texas Water Resources Institute and project partners are asking agricultural producers and irrigation district managers and board members in the Lower Rio Grande Valley to participate in a survey regarding 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 research scientist with the Texas Water Resources Institute based in College Station. “Ensuring there is sufficient water for irrigation is vital to sustain and grow this $28 billion industry.”
“The institute 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 in a more effective manner, we are asking Valley growers and irrigation district staff or board members to participate in a brief online survey.”
Gregory said the survey is short, safe and important.
“It will take less than 10 minutes to complete and survey answers will be anonymous.” he said. “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 Ag Water Conservation grant from the Texas Water Development Board to AgriLife Extension and TWRI, will be used to improve future irrigation-related programming in the Lower Rio Grande Valley.
“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 this year the institute’s Lower Rio Grande Valley 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.”
The Texas Water Resources Institute, part of AgriLife Research, AgriLife Extension and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University, fosters and communicates research and educational outreach programs focused on water resources and management issues in Texas and beyond.
For more information, contact Gregory at lfgregory@ag.tamu.edu.
