Kilimo to Restore Key Agricultural Watersheds in Mexico

Kilimo aims to restore Mexico’s agricultural watersheds through collective action projects that unite companies, farmers, and organizations, driving sustainable water management solutions by 2030. Through its Latidos del Agua (Water Beats) initiative, Kilimo aims to promote the restoration of the world’s most stressed and priority watersheds. Jairo Trad, CEO, Kilimo, highlighted that Mexico was chosen on this occasion because it is the country most aligned with the program's goals. 

“In Mexico, agriculture remains a key economic activity with significant opportunities for improving irrigation efficiency,” Trad explained.

Latidos del Agua builds on an analysis of each watershed that presents a water imbalance. Its proposal is to carry out interventions involving the participation of key partners and effective water governance that articulates organizational structures. “We are calling on companies from different industries operating in these regions, as well as local organizations and farmers interested in engaging in projects that promote water security for their communities and aim to achieve a significant impact on these watersheds, which are essential for their livelihoods, ecosystems, and businesses,” explained Carmen Guerrero, Climate Solutions Manager, Kilimo Mexico.

In Mexico, 75.7% of water is used in agriculture, and of that percentage, it is estimated that 65% is wasted due to poor management. According to data from INEGI, in 2022, drought was the main factor behind losses in 72.19% of the active agricultural production units in the country. “With more than 70% of the country facing some type of water stress, farmers, especially in northern states, struggle with water scarcity, which has resulted in a 30% reduction in the cultivated area of the region,” pointed out Guerrero.

Kilimo’s proposed solution is based on implementing precision irrigation systems, replacing traditional flood irrigation practices that waste up to 80% of water. Instead, drip irrigation systems allow for more efficient water use while optimizing other resources, such as fertilizers and energy. According to the company, transitioning to precision irrigation can increase agricultural production by up to 50% and significantly improve farmers' incomes.

Latidos del Agua includes three projects in the country. In northern Mexico, Pulso de Agua (Water Pulse) will cover the Bravo-San Juan watershed in Nuevo Leon, Coahuila, and Tamaulipas. The climate-tech company is not new to this region, as it began working there in 2022. Since then, it has led collective action projects with companies and farmers across more than 250ha, using technology based on artificial intelligence and machine learning to help three farmers improve water use.

The other two projects are in central Mexico. Cinco Aguas (Five Waters) will focus on restoring the Moctezuma watershed in Mexico City, Guanajuato, Hidalgo, State of Mexico, Queretaro, San Luis Potosi, Tlaxcala, and Veracruz. Meanwhile, Caudal Vital (Vital Flow) will focus on the Lerma watershed across Guanajuato, Toluca, Jalisco, and the State of Mexico.

To understand the local context of each territory and identify shared water challenges in each watershed, a study was conducted in 2024 on their specific conditions. Based on this knowledge, Kilimo defined the necessary collaborative watershed replenishment activities, identified project partners, and calculated the volumetric water benefits each project could bring to its communities. 

Guerrero underscored that although private investment is essential, farmers' commitment is fundamental to the project's success. Kilimo offers a model that allows farmers to finance the cost of irrigation systems gradually. Farmers cover 50% of the initial cost, but this amount is reimbursed annually if they follow the recommended practices. “We want to ensure that farmers not only receive the technology but also commit to using it appropriately and responsibly,” explained Guerrero.

Guerrero emphasized that the real impact of the project will be achieved when a collective collaboration structure is established among all sectors. “Replenishing 40 million m3 of water per year is not the task of a single company or actor. It is something we can only achieve by working together,” she concluded.