Modern irrigation systems deliver their full value when designed with agronomic insight and supported by advanced technology. Efficient irrigation requires proper filtration based on water source and quality, continual monitoring, and close attention to distribution uniformity. Despite offering strong ROI, many growers struggle to adopt drip irrigation because of significant upfront investment requirements.

To address this barrier, the newly launched Ag Modernization Fund connects growers with financial resources to install modern drip and micro-sprinkler irrigation systems that conserve water, reduce fertilizer use, and lower labor costs over time. Combined corporate funding helps bridge the initial investment barrier that often delays such modernization projects.

Launch of the Ag Modernization Fund

Established in 2025, the fund is led by the California Water Resilience Initiative (CWRI), in partnership with Netafim North America, Orbia’s Precision Agriculture business, and water-science firm LimnoTech. The initiative directly supports CWRI’s goal of saving 1 million acre-feet of water annually by 2030.

Corporate contributions from Keurig Dr Pepper, Gilead Sciences, and General Mills were pooled to support growers best positioned to advance irrigation modernization. Farms selected for participation demonstrated strong readiness for system upgrades.

Verification remains a central requirement throughout the program. Each participating farm undergoes an independent benefits assessment and submits annual water-use data, promoting transparency and consistent sustainability tracking.

Impact of the First Funding Round

The inaugural round supported five California family farms, replacing outdated irrigation systems across 235 acres with modern precision irrigation technologies.

These upgrades are projected to save:
491 acre-feet of water annually — roughly 160 million gallons.

Verification includes:

• Independent benefits summaries prepared by LimnoTech
• Annual water-use aggregation through Netafim’s GrowSphere™ Operating System

The standardized reporting approach ensures results are comparable across crops, fields, and growing seasons, while also reducing paperwork for growers participating in the program.

Technology Behind Precision Irrigation

Precision irrigation systems typically include:

• Filtration systems
• Zone valves and pressure regulators
• Flow and pressure monitoring devices
• Irrigation scheduling based on crop stage and soil conditions

These advanced systems can be remotely managed and integrate with agronomic crop models. When combined with real-time weather data and soil-moisture sensor readings, they enable highly accurate irrigation scheduling and system performance insights.

Growers gain clear visibility into:

• Exact applied water volumes
• Irrigation system efficiency and equipment health
• Site-specific field and soil conditions
• Real-time adjustments as environmental conditions change

Threefold Value for Growers

• Corporate-backed funding reduces the upfront financial burden.
• Precision irrigation improves uniformity, reduces runoff, and lowers pump hours.
• GrowSphere™ streamlines reporting and simplifies long-term documentation.

Preparing for Future Funding Rounds

Organizers plan to close multiple funds each year. Growers interested in future participation are encouraged to document key baseline metrics, including:

• Applied water baselines
• Pump operating hours
• Operating pressure levels
• Uniformity test results