The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has committed $400 million to assist farmers in the drought-stricken Western United States in adopting water-saving agricultural practices. This investment aims to mitigate the impact of prolonged droughts, which have increasingly threatened crops and livestock across the region.
The funds will be allocated to at least 18 irrigation districts, with a focus on supporting producers who implement water-efficient technologies and practices. The initiative is expected to conserve 50,000 acre-feet of water across 250,000 acres of irrigated farmland. The Biden administration's directive underscores the importance of improving water efficiency, modernizing infrastructure, and enhancing water security in these vulnerable areas.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack emphasized the USDA's commitment to supporting farmers through these challenging times. He noted that the department is taking an "all-hands-on-deck" approach, ensuring that farmers have access to the necessary tools for voluntary water conservation and expanding markets for water-efficient products.
Regions participating in the program can receive up to $15 million each, while an additional $40 million will be directed to Indian tribes and tribal producers to support similar efforts.
This initiative comes in response to increasing pressure from lawmakers for the USDA to address the severe drought-related challenges faced by Western farmers and ranchers, as hot and dry weather continues to worsen conditions across the region.
