SINALOA, MX - The conversation about water—access, rights, availability—is an essential part of the fresh produce conversation and an integral contributor to its success and failure. As many parts of North America experience their own unique water crises, sources share that agricultural dams have restricted access in central Sinaloa due to the region's drought conditions.

These dams supply the areas of Culiacán and Navolato and are now reserving water only for human consumption. Many rural producers, will not have water for irrigation from the Sanalona, Adolfo López Mateos, and José López Portillo reservoirs, the source adds, noting that they do not know how extensive the restrictions will be at this time.

The long-term effects of the restrictions have yet to be determined. Currently, the produce season is winding down in the region for many on tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers, typically wrapping by June and starting back up in November.

Growers hope that more guidance for Sinaloans regarding these measures will evolve in the near future. While the hurricanes last season may have delayed the current restrictions, they were not able to contribute enough to stave off the current crisis.