In order to flourish, crops, animals, and soil all require a consistent and clean water supply. Unfortunately, our changing climate puts our global water supply in very real jeopardy.
If global warming continues, our planet’s freshwater reserves may be depleted entirely. In other words, we’re living in a historic moment that requires us to take immediate action to save our global water supply.
Historically speaking, the agricultural industry has always required high quantities of water. However, at the same time, we rely on agriculture for food, fuel, and economic growth. That said, it also means that the agricultural industry must do everything that it can to reduce its water usage.
This article will highlight the major water resource issues facing the modern agricultural industry. We’ll also introduce you to ag loans and how they can be leveraged to reduce water waste on your farm.
Water-Related Issues Faced by the Ag Industry
The agricultural industry is facing a critical moment. Over the course of the next few years, it will be essential to transition to more water-friendly modes of agriculture. Today, there are three major water resource issues that are facing the agricultural industry.
- Severe droughts and flooding. Each year, climate change is ramping up the intensity of global temperature and meteorological activity. As a result, droughts are becoming longer and more severe, and flooding has become an increasingly common hazard.
- Competition over limited water resources. Commercial water usage and competition over water ownership rights escalated steeply in the latter half of the twentieth century. Today, experts are predicting that competition over freshwater resources will only continue to intensify.
- Groundwater depletion. Groundwater is freshwater that’s found in subterranean fissures or porous soil. It plays a major role in agriculture here in the United States. Today, excessive amounts of groundwater pumping threaten to detrimentally lower the water table that we all rely on.
What Can Farmers Do to Reduce Water Usage?
There are a wide variety of water-friendly practices and technologies that can be adopted on independent farms. If these become widespread enough, they have the potential to make a contribution to the global fight against water scarcity.
Of course, adopting these eco-friendly practices and technologies will require a small financial investment. Thankfully, an ag loan can provide you with the financing that you’ll need to integrate them on your farm!
Apply for an Ag Loan Today!
At MSF Agriculture, we make it easy to obtain the funds that you’ll need to renovate your farm. Contact our office today to learn more about our ag loan application process!