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
Georgia Republicans choose Amy Kremer, organizer of pro
COLUMBUS, Ga. (AP) — Georgia Republicans on Saturday elected to the Republican National Committee a2024-05-21US sanctions fundraisers for extremist West Bank settlers who commit violence against Palestinians
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration on Friday imposed sanctions on two entities accused of fu2024-05-21Beijing Half Marathon champion has medal taken away after other runners slowed down to let him win
BANGKOK (AP) — Organizers have revoked He Jie’s first place in the Beijing Half Marathon last weeken2024-05-21Jury selection for Trump's hush money trial could near a close
NEW YORK (AP) — Lawyers worked Friday to round out the panel of 12 jurors and six alternates who wil2024-05-21- DENVER (AP) — The Denver Nuggets couldn’t quiet an epic second-half comeback by Minnesota or the noi2024-05-21
Bitcoin halving: Everything you need to know
NEW YORK (AP) — Sometime in the next few days or even hours, the “miners” who chisel bitcoins out of2024-05-21
atest comment