U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins, has announced an agreement with Mexico to address water needs for Texas farmers and ranchers as part of the 1944 Water Treaty. The agreement involves Mexico committing to transfer water from international reservoirs and increasing the U.S. share of flow in six tributaries of the Rio Grande through the current five-year water cycle.
"Mexico finally meeting the water needs of Texas farmers and ranchers under the 1944 Water Treaty is a major win for American agriculture. After weeks of negotiations with Mexican cabinet officials alongside the Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, we secured an agreement to give Texas producers the water they need to thrive. While this is a significant step forward, we welcome Mexico’s continued cooperation to support the future of American agriculture," said Secretary Rollins. "None of this would have been possible without the fervent support of our farmers from President Trump and his work to hold our trading partners accountable."
This arrangement provides immediate and short-term water relief for Texas farmers and ranchers during this growing season, including regular water releases and continued commitments until October. The U.S. is open to further cooperation with Mexico regarding unresolved water debts and future water deliveries.
Under the treaty, Mexico is obligated to deliver 1.75 million acre-feet over five years from the Rio Grande to the United States, which reciprocates with 1.5 million acre-feet of water from the Colorado River. Past delivery shortfalls by Mexico have led to water shortages affecting Rio Grande Valley farmers and ranchers, impacting crops, employment, and the local economy.
