Food grown in Arizona fills grocery stores in the middle of winter. However, our farms face unprecedented challenges that could put national food security at risk.

In the southwestern part of Arizona, the desert is vital for water. This area grows food that reaches grocery stores across the U.S. even during winter.

However, today, Arizona’s farms are grappling with significant challenges that threaten food security.

Yuma County is often referred to as the “Winter Lettuce Capital of the World.” During the months from November to March, this section of the Sonoran Desert produces about 90% of the greens consumed in the U.S.

Farmers in Yuma grow everything from romaine to spring mix, supplying salad bowls across the country, from Boston to Seattle. Yet, this critical food supply chain is under strain.

Arizona farmers in Yuma are remarkably efficient

Arizona is one of the fastest-growing states, but agricultural land is vanishing, swallowed by housing and industrial development. Maricopa County is projected to see the most farmland loss in the country, according to the American Farmland Trust.

At the same time, the Colorado River, a critical water source for the region, is buckling under drought conditions and over-allocation. This situation has led to intense debates over how to allocate water among cities, agriculture, and environmental needs.

There are voices advocating for agriculture to give up water for urban use, yet this view misses a larger and important picture.

For decades, Arizona farmers have worked hard to innovate and use less water. The water sourced from the Colorado River is not overly clear for Yuma, where it is used with incredible care.

Local farmers utilize advanced irrigation systems, including GPS technology to level fields, effectively reduce water waste, and ensure the right amount of water is applied at the optimal moment.

The result? Growers in the Yuma region cultivate around 200,000 acres of crops each year, boasting the highest water use efficiency rates in the country. Remarkably, one acre can yield as many as 50,000 heads of lettuce in the winter months.

Data centers are taking a toll, yet growing food remains critical

Meanwhile, new players are entering the competition for water resources — specifically, data centers designed for artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and e-commerce. These facilities use millions of gallons of water daily for cooling.

While technology is undeniably crucial in our lives, the agricultural sector remains equally important. Unlike many tech facilities, farms return water to local ecosystems through the production of fruits, vegetables, and livestock that nourish millions.

To be fair, some tech companies are pioneering efforts in water conservation. For instance, Microsoft has unveiled a data center that doesn’t consume water for cooling, and Amazon is testing recycled water processes. However, these are more of the exception rather than the norm.

It’s crucial that the needs of technology don’t overshadow the fundamental human requirement for food.

This isn’t only an Arizona issue. As domestic farmland continues to dwindle, food production inevitably shifts overseas to areas where environmental and labor regulations may be less stringent.

Currently, the U.S. imports over 50% of nearly a third of its fresh fruits and vegetables, and that reliance is increasing year by year.

The use of water in agriculture holds national and global significance

Imagine a future where we rely on foreign food supplies, akin to the past with foreign oil. Droughts, trade disputes, or political turmoil could strip supermarket shelves bare and drive prices through the roof.

There’s a global climate aspect as well—when we pave over farmland, we aren’t reducing the need for food; instead, we push that demand to other parts of the world, potentially leading to rainforest destruction and increased carbon emissions.

It’s essential to conserve water, and Arizona’s cities have made headway in this area. But it’s equally vital that the farms have adequate water to nurture food for the population. Innovative technology and smart policy decisions can help strike that balance.

Neglecting the agriculture sector in Yuma won’t just mean a lack of access to fresh groceries; it could undermine a crucial component of national food security.

There’s an urgent call for a water policy that supports Arizona’s agriculture, which plays a vital role in feeding millions. Without such measures, we face the risk of replacing the “winter salad bowl” with bare plates.