Water for Agriculture
Agriculture is second only to public supply in Florida's water consumption.
Agriculture is second only to public supply in Florida's water consumption. According to the Florida Statewide Agricultural Irrigation Demand (FSAID) report from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service (FDACS), 21% of agricultural land in the state was irrigated in 2015, which corresponds to approximately 1.8 million acres. Agriculture uses a variety of water sources for irrigation including surface waters, groundwater, and reclaimed water.
As water moves through agricultural landscapes, whether from irrigation or rainfall, there is opportunity for agrochemicals to be transported away from their agricultural target. To improve agrochemical and water efficiencies in our agricultural systems, cooperative efforts by stakeholders, agencies, and extension faculty developed a Best Management Practices (BMP) program.
UF/IFAS Extension provides information and programs on several topics related to the interconnected nature of agriculture and water resources. In addition, UF/IFAS offers weather-related information for agricultural water management. Specific topics and information sources are identified.