Netafim Irrigation, Inc. is partnering with agricultural growers in Madera County, California, to transition 215 acres from flood to subsurface drip irrigation to address water scarcity exacerbated by climate change. The new drip system will efficiently irrigate a crop rotation of tomatoes and wheat, replacing high water-use crops like cotton and wheat under less efficient flood irrigation. This project will significantly reduce groundwater withdrawals while improving water delivery precision. The shift aligns with sustainable agricultural practices, supporting both local ecosystems and the resilience of California’s critical agricultural sector amidst increasing climate variability.
Project Partner: Netafim Irrigation
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Drip Irrigation Conversion Howell Farm
The Great Salt Lake has seen a significant decline in surface elevation, dropping over 11 feet due to water withdrawals from the three major rivers supplying it, which account for 45% of annual surface flows. Restoring the lake’s water levels is critical for wildlife habitat, preventing harmful dust storms, and maintaining regional precipitation patterns. In response, the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) established the Agricultural Water Optimization Program (AWOP) to help farmers improve irrigation efficiency. With subsidiary drip irrigation (SDI), water loss due to evaporation can be nearly eliminated. Netafim and partners are supporting a Box Elder County alfalfa farm with 80 acres to implement SDI, aiming for water savings of 0.5 acre-feet per acre based on a 2021 study by Utah State University Extension.