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CONCLUSIONS
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The water table is gradually being lowered in the Ojos Negros valley, due to the exploitation of the aquifer for economic purposes.
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The water table is at more than 30 m is some places, and it is being depleted at the rate of 0.4 m yr-1.
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The exploitation of groundwater has caused a change from livestock raising based on dryland farming
to irrigated agriculture, mainly cattle fodder (alfalfa, until 1990) and, more recently, vegetables (green onions, watermelon, onions).
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The increasing cost of pumping at greater depths has produced a change in crops from fodder to more water-conserving crops such as vegetables.
Vegetable crops now constitute 53% of the irrigated area.
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In the past 6 years, some ejido proprietors have opted to rent their land to the packing companies, which operate with greater capital and
concentrate on one crop, particularly green onions.
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In general, the packing companies use a large quantity of fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides,
which enables them to increase their yield and, consequently, their profits.
- To control groundwater depletion, a policy aimed at aquifer regulation should be developed and implemented in the Ojos Negros valley.
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