The future of agriculture over the Ogallala Aquifer: Solutions to grow crops more efficiently with limited water

We explore the unsustainable path that the Ogallala region faces, and provide some suggestions for policies that would extend the usable lifespan of the water in the aquifer, which supports the vast majority of the economy across this region. We emphasize the critical role of science as a foundation for policies that can help mitigate the disaster that is occurring across the region and provide insights because we believe that there are solutions to some aspects of this water crisis. Summary In some areas of the HPA, farmers can no longer pump enough water for crops. Water-use efficiency and farmer's profitability can be significantly enhanced by adopting site-specific agronomic management identified by coupling precision agricultural technologies with crop models. Policies grounded in science are critical to ensure long-term sustainability.