U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has announced a significant financial intervention to aid agricultural producers in the Rio Grande Valley. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is collaborating with the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) through a $280 million grant agreement aimed at alleviating economic challenges faced by farmers due to Mexico's failure to meet its water delivery obligations under the 1944 Water Treaty.
In McAllen, Texas, Secretary Rollins emphasized the historical contributions of Rio Grande Valley farmers and the current risks they face: “Farmers and ranchers in the Rio Grande Valley have worked for generations to feed communities across Texas, the U.S., and beyond,” she said. “A lack of water has already ended sugarcane production in the Valley and is putting the future of citrus, cotton, and other crops at risk.”
Senator John Cornyn highlighted the importance of this funding: “Today’s announcement of more than $280 million in emergency assistance is great news for South Texans, many of whom have been greatly impacted by Mexico’s failure to deliver water under the 1944 Water Treaty.” He further noted his efforts alongside Senator Ted Cruz and Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz to secure this funding.
Senator Cruz also commented on his role in securing this grant: “I was proud to lead the effort in the U.S. Senate to secure this $280 million block grant.” Representative De La Cruz added that local agriculture forms a crucial part of South Texas communities: "The funding deployment announced by Secretary Rollins today will provide critical relief for the South Texas agricultural industry."
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller expressed support for these measures: “I’m proud to partner with the Trump administration and USDA to get this critical funding out...”
The 1944 Water Treaty requires Mexico to supply an annual minimum amount of water from the Rio Grande River, which has not been met consistently. This shortfall has severely affected local agriculture.
The TDA will manage these funds, overseeing their distribution among eligible producers who experienced losses during 2023 and 2024 due to insufficient water deliveries. Producers meeting specific criteria will be contacted with further details regarding their eligibility for aid.
