Part 6/7:
Concerns peaked in 2022 when the Colorado River approached critically low levels, eliciting a wake-up call throughout the agricultural community. The Bureau of Reclamation's mandate for a drastic reduction of water use by 20%-40% prompted local farmers in Yuma to respond proactively. Instead of resorting to letting farmland go fallow, they have worked on strategies to enhance water efficiency while maintaining their food production capabilities—characterizing their produce as a matter of national security.