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-Editorial
A landmark agreement between federal authorities, the Baja California government, and the Commission of Users of Irrigation District 014 will provide $35 million in compensation to farmers in the Mexicali Valley and San Luis Río Colorado for reduced water allocations. The funds, originating from the U.S. government, represent a crucial victory for the region’s agricultural community.
The agreement, finalized after over 10 months of negotiations, will compensate farmers at a rate of 16,000 pesos (approximately $800) per hectare. This marks a significant improvement from the initial offer of $350 per hectare from the National Water Commission (Conagua) and is seen as fair given the dire conditions in the region’s agricultural sector.
Under the terms of the program, farmers who choose to rest their land—averaging 20 hectares of irrigated fields—could receive up to 320,000 pesos annually over the next three years. A portion of the compensation will fund land preparation and maintenance.
The deal utilizes 54% of the funds outlined in Minute 330, an international agreement signed on March 21, 2024, between Mexico and the United States in El Paso, Texas. The agreement, brokered through the International Boundary and Water Commission, provides economic relief for border agricultural regions and supports hydro-agricultural infrastructure projects.
The Commission of Users emphasized the critical role of Baja California’s government and Secretary General Alfredo Álvarez Cárdenas in securing the agreement. They also highlighted the need for oversight to ensure proper fund allocation and infrastructure execution, proposing a user representation on the Hydraulic Committee for this purpose.
Farmers are urged to remain united in advocating for financial resources and to support ongoing efforts to uphold their rights during the implementation of this historic program.
