Assessment of the perception of rice producers on groundwater availability and usage in the Arkansas Delta

The Arkansas Delta is an area known for its rich traditions in agriculture. Rich, fertile soils, a moderate climate, and a vast water supply made this region the perfect environment for agriculture, with three dominant crops including rice, cotton, and soybeans. The Mississippi River Valley alluvial aquifer [MRVAA] is the uppermost aquifer in the Mississippi Alluvial Plain, covering the eastern portion of Arkansas. This aquifer is in a state of decline, with some areas, especially where rice farming is prevalent, the MRVAA declines an average of one foot per year. There are two large cones of depression in water level in the MRVAA, located beneath the Cache River region and the Grand Prairie region.; This research focuses on the perception of rice producers regarding the issues of groundwater availability and groundwater conservation in the Arkansas Delta. This research used a survey instrument to record the perception of rice producers. Analysis of the respondent surveys revealed that farmers in the Delta are aware of the groundwater issues in the region, and agree that groundwater conservation is critically important at this point. Farmers also felt that surface-water recovery systems are the best tool for alleviating groundwater pressures in the Delta. This project also surveyed farmers in the Grand Prairie and Bayou Meto Project areas, and found that farmers in both project areas are in overwhelming support for both programs. The findings of this research indicate that farmers in the Delta are aware of the problem and are willing to fix it.