Should the use of water by farmers be regulated?

Question

Mexican farmers prefer to use water to produce corn for biofuel for export rather than to grow corn for food. As a result, Mexico is facing a shortage of its staple food: "Tortillas". Should the farmers be regulated in their use of water (e.g. to grow corn for food or corn for export)?

sushant kumar · Answer

Actually , regulating water for preventing export of corn for biofuel is not possible. It can be challenged and very easily can be won by the farmers because you are not regulating corn production and its usage but you are regulating water uses for irrigation. Once you regulate the irrigation water uses it would be applicable for producing all kinds of crop. There would be no discrimination between uses. Farmers are free to chose which products they have to produce for their livelihood. The product must not fall in the category of restricted weeds or product etc. No on can prevent them to use water for irrigation. Instead one can suggest law maker to limit the export or application of corn for up to 50 % for its industrial application so that farmers get benefited by selling for both tortillas as well as biofuels.

Kudzai Bhunu · Answer

The fact that water is a finite resource means that there is need for its use to be controlled, to allow future generations to obtain the same benefits. In developing countries the problem with absence of control has lead to the water authorities failing to provide proper services. The Zimbabwe water authority can be given as an example based on the following link http://www.herald.co.zw/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=50705:zinwa-owed-millions-in-unpaid-water-bills&catid=47:agriculture&Itemid=139. This hence affects the availability as the treatment and rehabilitation of water bodies as the finances will not be available. On the other hand regulation that is not coming from the communities should not be imposed but discussed with the communities. While traveling in Zimbabwe i was involved in a debate as to why rural communities should pay for a well they dug on their properties. Discussing further i realised that the problem was not paying but the way in which the communities were made to pay for the water, this showed that there was no explanation to the communities and hence a top down approach that leave the people on the ground suffering hence not allowing regulations implemented to fail. In conclusion i feel that there is need to have regulations for their use but the introduction should be in such a way that involves the communities. Also programs in schools should be introduced that will promote awareness for children as they grow up.

Innocent ANOSIKE · Answer

Yes, it should be regulated, and if possible the concept of "Virtual Water" should come into play.

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