Changes in Water Productivity in the Southern Cone

Executive Summary

Agriculture is one of the most important economic activities in Latin America and one of the main water users. New climate scenarios indicate that there will be large variations in water availability, which could result in floods or droughts, and significant economic losses. Irrigation is one of the most relevant practices for adapting agriculture to climate change, but given the resource scarcity in many areas, it is necessary to improve its efficiency.
This project helped to better understand the behaviour of different crops under variable water availability conditions, and to adjust response models to predict future performance. Moreover, the project evaluated different strategies to mitigate, adapt and capitalize on the potential effects of climate change, in order to support decision-making for public and private investments in southern cone countries.

The technological solution

The characterization of the 10 watersheds studied in the four countries allowed identifying the main crops produced and the existing irrigation infrastructure, as well as establishing the baseline on the availability of water and its use in the different production systems. On the other hand, field trials allowed obtaining information regarding the response of different crops to restrictive water conditions and thus establish production functions and minimum productivity conditions in scenarios of possible droughts. For each irrigation strategy tested and the result obtained, the water productivity (Kg / m3) was calculated, observing the positive changes that are generated; but many times opposed to the productivity of the land, expressed as Kg / ha. It was concluded that for drought conditions, the use of water productivity is key, while for normal or humid years the productivity of the land should be sought.

Results

Beneficiaries

Direct beneficiaries have been the numerous researchers, professionals and pre- and graduate students involved in the project , as well as the 1,053 producers from the four countries that were informed about the results of the project.

Indirectly, thousands of producers who will access information produced in the project will benefit, as well as the general population thanks to the most efficient use of water in the region.

Sustainable Development Goals

Main donors