Santa Victoria Este, Salta (Argentina) – As part of the Resilient Farm Network under the FONTAGRO project, a technical field day was held focusing on the installation of Australian corrugated steel tanks and the efficient design of watering troughs to optimize water access and management in cattle farming. The activity took place at Puesto La Esperanza, a pilot site managed by producers Alcides Ceballos and Benedicta Barroso, members of the Asociación de Pequeños Productores Real Frontera.

The workshop was collaboratively organized by the National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA)—through its Santa Victoria Este Rural Extension Agency (AER) and the Family Farming Research and Technological Development Institute (IPAF) NOA—alongside the FUNDAPAZ Foundation and the company BERPLAST. The event brought together local producers and students enrolled in the Higher Technical Degree in Agricultural Systems Management at Higher Education Institute No. 6050, integrating technical education with practical field experience.

The training combined analytical sessions with practical on-site demonstrations:

• Resource management: INTA specialists addressed trough sizing based on herd water demand, water salinity monitoring, and blending strategies to secure adequate supply and quality during critical dry spells.

• Infrastructure and assembly: BERPLAST’s technical team demonstrated the assembly and waterproofing of an Australian tank, complemented by the construction of functional watering troughs adapted to local conditions.

Productive Impact and Sustainability

The showcased technology directly addresses the climatic constraints of the Semiarid Chaco: it is easy to adopt, supported by local suppliers, and offers a fast return on investment. Beyond the direct benefit to animal welfare, the system automates water distribution, significantly reducing the daily labor burden on farming families.

The intervention at Puesto La Esperanza aligns with the farm's Property Management Plan and funding from the Forest Law (Ley de Bosques), consolidating the site as a replicable model for climate adaptation. This inter-institutional synergy reinforces FONTAGRO’s commitment to driving sustainable innovation and transferring practical knowledge to strengthen livestock-raising communities across the region.