Villagers in Mexico organize to take back their water as drought, avocados dry up lakes and rivers
VILLA MADERO, Mexico (AP) — As a drought in Mexico drags on, angry subsistence farmers have begun taking direct action on thirsty avocado orchards and berry fields of commercial farms that are drying up streams in the mountains west of Mexico City.
Rivers and even whole lakes are disappearing in the once green and lush state of Michoacan, as the drought combines with a surge in the use of water for the country’s lucrative export crops, lead by avocados.
In recent days, subsistence farmers and activists from the Michoacan town of Villa Madero organized teams to go into the mountains and rip out illegal water pumps and breach unlicensed irrigation holding ponds.
A potential conflict looms with avocado growers — who are often sponsored by, or pay protection money to, drug cartels.
Last week, dozens of residents, farmworkers and small-scale farmers from Villa Madero hiked up into the hills to tear out irrigation equipment using mountain springs to water avocado orchards carved out of the pine-covered hills.
Related articles
'Constantly learning' Imanaga off to impressive start with the Chicago Cubs
CHICAGO (AP) — The road for Shota Imanaga from Japan to the major leagues included at least one shar2024-05-21Review of UNWRA finds Israel did not express concern about staff
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — An independent review of the neutrality of the U.N. agency helping Palestinian2024-05-21- Two military helicopters collided in mid-air before crashing and killing all 10 people on board duri2024-05-21
- Kylie Jenner flaunted substantial cleavage while rocking out to Tems' 2020 song The Key in a mirror2024-05-21
Siblings trying to make US water polo teams for Paris Olympics
WALNUT, Calif. (AP) — Chase Dodd started swimming when he was just a kid. Once he began playing wate2024-05-21Talling in love! Alison Hammond joins cohort of celebs couples with notable height differences
Love is not only blind - in some cases, it also has no fear of heights.As 5ft 10 Alison Hammond is r2024-05-21
atest comment