By Vera Walker
Ted van der Guille, senior engineer with the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture, presented a completed Agriculture Land Use Inventory and Water Demand Model at the Community Resource Center on Wednesday, May 29.
The Agriculture Water Demand Model (AWDM) was developed to help secure our future food supply by forecasting present and future agricultural water demands.
The calculations in the model were based on soil texture, crop type, irrigation system type, property by property water use and climate data.
As gas prices rise, we’ll be importing less food products (grains, fruit, etc) from faraway countries such as China, Chile and Mexico.
Knowing that B.C. can support its inhabitants, changes must be made. Deletion of lands from the Agricultural Land Reserve must be better policed and supervised to protect our future. Those of us who can and will voice their knowledge and choices can bring about these positive changes.
The calculations found in the AWDM are available for study. Contact www.clearwaterbcchamber.com for more information.
