IRVINE, CA - As a Californian, the signs of drought are evident, especially for those in the agricultural sector. With water supplies remaining a top issue, a coalition of agriculture and business organization has written a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Legislature asking them to establish a clear target to increase the state’s surface water supply to meet growing needs.

"Our existing water system can no longer deliver the water necessary to sustain the world's fifth-largest economy," the letter states. "Our state has set goals for carbon emission reductions, renewable power, waste diversion, land conservation, and other climate-related objectives. However, we still do not have a goal to grow the water supply. In fact, our current strategy is precisely the opposite: To keep shrinking surface water supplies available for human consumption and expect homes and businesses to do more with less. As a result, we are merely managing economic decline."

The letter is requesting a clear goal to increase California’s water supply in order to satisfy the current and future needs for human consumption and the growing economy, a release stated.

In the letter, the coalition cited recent reports from the University of California, Merced; University of California, Berkeley; and Yale University regarding the insufficiency of the current water supply to maintain agriculture and the food supply.

"We are disappointed in the lack of urgency reflected in the state budget currently being considered, especially in a year when California has the resources available to make long-term investments in an area of demonstrated public need," continues the letter. "The national economy has recently witnessed supply shortages of raw materials, computer chips, and even baby formula. The lack of water will serve to amplify these impacts in heretofore unimaginable ways."

Read the letter in its entirety and see the full list of organizations in support by clicking here.

For more updates on this issue and others affecting the produce industry, keep reading AndNowUKnow.