CONAGUA Advances Irrigation Modernization

The National Water Commission (CONAGUA) unveiled progress on its National Irrigation Modernization Program, aiming to boost food production while saving water. The initiative seeks to recover over 2.8 billion m3 of water through upgraded infrastructure and more efficient irrigation systems by 2030.

Efraín Morales, Director General, CONAGUA, highlighted that 76% of Mexico’s water is used in agriculture, underscoring the importance of the program, which he described as unique in its scope. “There is no other modernization program that seeks to recover water for human consumption,” he said.

The initiative, promoted by the administration of President Claudia Sheinbaum, aims to produce more food with less water while ensuring availability for domestic consumption. To achieve this, the plan targets the recovery of up to 2.8 billion m³ of water through the modernization of hydro-agricultural infrastructure and the implementation of advanced irrigation technologies, with a projected investment of MX$63.1 billion (US$3.72 billion) between 2025 and 2030.

Aarón Mastache, Deputy Director General of Hydro-Agricultural Infrastructure, CONAGUA, explained that a comprehensive diagnostic study revealed multiple deficiencies in traditional irrigation systems, including deteriorated earthen channels, damaged diversion dams, malfunctioning gates, and farmland still dependent on gravity-fed irrigation. “These conditions limit water-use efficiency and affect agricultural productivity,” Mastache said.

He outlined that the 2025 modernization plan focuses on two main components. First, improving primary irrigation infrastructure, which involves optimizing the delivery of water from reservoirs to farmland, with the goal of recovering 40% of water during this stage. Actions include lining and piping canals, automating gates, and installing water measurement systems.

The second component involves on-farm irrigation modernization, which includes land leveling and upgrading irrigation through canals, pipelines, and pressurized systems. These improvements are expected to recover between 25% and 55% of water used in fields by reducing losses from seepage and evaporation.

CONAGUA representatives stressed that the program is being developed in close coordination with farming communities, using participatory assemblies and providing subsidies for hydro-agricultural infrastructure. So far, more than MX$1.6 billion in direct support has been allocated, in collaboration with the Ministry of Well-Being. “We want to encourage participation by working hand-in-hand with municipal governments and producers nationwide to define the projects to be carried out in each irrigation district,” Morales said.

The program includes planned interventions across 18 irrigation districts in 13 states, including Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, Aguascalientes, Guanajuato, Michoacan, Morelos, Hidalgo, Mexico State, and Mexico City. Currently, six projects are under execution, while 10 others are in the bidding process, with construction expected to begin between August and October 2025.