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In the 1960™ the United States Congress authorized the construction of the Navajo Indian Irrigation Project (NIIP), enacted by Public Law (87-483), to provide a water delivery system from the Navajo Dam reservoir to 110,630 acres of irrigable land. The statute includes an annual diversion right of 508,000 acre feet of water to cultivate these acres.
On April 16, 1970, the Navajo Agricultural Products Industry (NAPI) was created by the Navajo Tribal Council. Navajo leadership envisioned an enterprise that would successfully provide employment opportunities for the Navajo people and be managed by the Navajo people. Today, NAPI and our Navajo Pride brand agricultural products are a fulfillment of that vision.
Navajo tradition teaches that the land is sacred, the water is holy and both should be cared for to ensure the livelihood of future generations. The interface of NAPI and NIIP is a manifestation of this tradition.
NAPI is a model high-tech farming operation, which utilizes automated control center pivot systems and state-of-the-art drop nozzle sprinkler heads. This allows the farm to manage its water resources more efficiently and effectively. Our tractors are equipped with monitoring devises to reduce down time and maximize usage. Low residue/high residue crop rotations are designed to guard against wind erosion and preserve water in the top layer of soil.
Our mission remains the same: The Navajo people continue to manage the operation, and while our employment is not exclusive, NAPI is one of the largest employers of the Navajo people on the Navajo Nation.
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