Rice is a major crop in the lower mississippi river basin, but traditional flooded production requires large volumes of water and can lead to inefficient fertilizer use

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded Mississippi State University $591,059 under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) program on January 1, 2026, to test innovative irrigation strategies for rice production in the Lower Mississippi River Basin.

The project will work with farmers to evaluate furrow-irrigated rice systems that reuse tailwater, employing sensors and automated pumping technology to measure water use, crop yields, and fertilizer use efficiency across different management practices. The goal is to identify practical, science-based solutions that reduce freshwater demand, improve nutrient efficiency, and sustain farm profitability while helping producers adapt to water limitations and promoting environmental stewardship.

Performance takes place at Mississippi State University in Mississippi. The award runs through December 31, 2030. AFRI is the nation's leading competitive grants program for agricultural sciences, supporting research, education, extension, and integrated activities across six farm bill priority areas including plant health and production, animal health, food safety and nutrition, bioenergy and natural resources, agriculture systems and technology, and rural communities.

Water scarcity, rising input costs, and environmental concerns make IT critical to develop rice systems that conserve water while maintaining profitability and improving nutrient efficiency. These improvements benefit not only farmers but also rural communities and consumers by reducing strain on water resources, lowering production costs, and supporting sustainable food systems. This project will work with farmers to test innovative irrigation strategies, including furrow-irrigated rice systems that reuse tailwater. Using sensors and automated pumping technology, we will measure water use, crop yields, and fertilizer use efficiency under different management practices. The goal is to identify practical, science-based solutions that reduce freshwater demand, improve nutrient efficiency, and sustain farm profitability. If successful, these practices will help producers adapt to water limitations, strengthen rural economies, and promote long-term environmental stewardship.