Arizona’s development has been dominated by the five Cs—copper, cattle, cotton, citrus, and climate—three of which are products of agriculture. However, the cultural and economic contributions of the agricultural industry have declined with the increase of urbanization and economic diversification. Climate conditions and ongoing drought pose additional challenges to farmers. A megadrought has persisted in the western states for more than 20 years, resulting in a dangerous drop in available water storage. As drought forces difficult decisions on water use, food security — assured access to sufficient safe and nutritious food — is emerging as a key concern. Given these conditions and ever-increasing needs for food and fiber, what is Arizona’s agricultural outlook? This Arroyo aims to address this question by focusing on how the state can adapt to a new climate reality and sustain the agricultural productivity and culture that has defined the character of the state for so long.
Arroyo 2023 - Arizona's Agricultural Outlook: Water, Climate, and Sustainability
June 02, 2023
Arroyo
, pages 1-18
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18 pp.
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Water Resources Research Center
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Tucson, AZ