Article Reflection No. 83 (1/6/2024)

Article: “Strawberry Case Study: What if Farmers Had to Pay for Water?”

Reflection: 

In The New York Times Article  “Strawberry Case Study: What if Farmers Had to Pay for Water?”, journalist Coral Davenport details the history of irrigation groundwater in Pajaro Valley, a Central California region that began taxing farmers as an essential resource. As Davenport writes, farmers are required to pay a maximum $400 for each acre-foot. The money amasses to $12 million on an annual basis, which is used to further conserve groundwater. After a 1980s crisis where excessive groundwater extraction led to saltwater entering the field and undermining the berries’ health, Pajaro Valley adopted this tax system in order to conserve water for the long term. With increased agricultural water prices disincentivizing producers from using water in large quantities, the taxes have significantly improved sustainability; in fact, 20% higher groundwater prices leads to 20% less extraction, according to Davenport. However, while the taxes—increased over time—supports sustainability, the costs make irrigation more expensive, prompting higher prices for grocery goods. Moreover, while farmers whose products are sent to large affluent grocery chains may be able to afford to pay the taxes, those whose products are not affiliated with these big companies can be at a disadvantage, according to Davenport. 

This case study shows the benefits of sustainable action (long-term groundwater conservation, especially as climate change continues to have consequences that further threaten resource supplies) as well as its complications (disadvantaged groups of farmers). I feel relieved that this community found a sustainable solution to the 1980s irrigation crisis and that it can be an inspiration for other regions to take similar action.