Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller unveiled a $280 million relief package last week to help South Texas farmers battling continued water shortages.
The funding, provided through a grant partnership between the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA), hopes to ease some of the strain on American farmers along the Rio Grande River.
The aid from the Agriculture Commission comes as Mexico continues to fall short of its obligations under the 1944 Water Treaty, a bilateral agreement requiring Mexico to deliver 350,000 acre-feet of water annually to the United States over five-year cycles, as previously covered by DX. According to state officials, Mexico currently owes America over one million acre-feet of water, a deficit that has devastated farms and ranches throughout southern parts of the Lone Star State.
“Water is the lifeblood of Texas agriculture, and nowhere is this more critical than in the Rio Grande Valley” Miller said in a statement. “The 1944 Water Treaty Grant rollout is precisely the action needed to assist our agricultural producers in the Valley as they have endured a prolonged drought.””
Eligible farmers, or “agriculture producers,” are those with farming acreage authorized for irrigation under the Rio Grande Watermaster Program in 2023 or 2024, and they can receive economic assistance through a non-competitive application process. Farmers operating in counties including Hidalgo, Cameron, Starr, Zapata, and others affected by the water shortfall can apply for the aid up until May 22.
To help farmers navigate the application process, TDA will also host a series of workshops offering direct guidance. Attendees are encouraged to bring documentation such as their irrigation certificate number, proof of water rights, and the total number of irrigable acres they own.
Miller also confirmed that the funding is not just a financial lifeline but a sign of Texas’ commitment to supporting its agricultural industry during the water crisis.
The TDA’s official website provides more information and application materials for eligible farmers seeking aid during the drought.