Human Aspects of Mexican Irrigation

When more than 90% of a country is deficient in natural water for agriculture, when arable land is badly needed, and when private financing is inadequate or undesirable, the state must shoulder the national burden. Mexico is doing just this, making great progress, especially since 1926. Legislation to meet local needs has been continually revised, particularly to benefit the smaller landowner, but at the same time to eliminate the. uneconomical farm of less than 5 hectares. The government runs the large projects; and the water users; the smaller ones, adjusting water distribution and canal maintenance to meet local needs. Continuous repayment of development costs by landowners is a basic policy. Industry as well as agriculture has been greatly benefited, and living conditions have been materially improved.