(ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.) -- The price of chilis increased 20 percent in 2012 after a lack of water necessitated more expensive farming and irrigation techniques.

KOAT reported that the Hatch Valley, where the majority of New Mexico’s chili crop is grown, has not been getting a lot of rain. Chili farmers are turning to drip irrigation, pumping water out of ground wells to keep their plants hydrated.

While the water shortage and increased cost of farming did drive up chili prices, it did not significantly harm the overall crop, which was actually up 100 acres from 2011. Farmers only lost three percent of their crop.

The New Mexico chili crop is valued at $65.4 million.

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