National Irrigation Modernization Program Advances

The federal government has presented the progress of the National Irrigation Modernization Program, which will intervene in 13 irrigation districts across the country. The project aims to improve the distribution of water resources for human consumption while optimizing agricultural production.

The National Irrigation Modernization Program, introduced by CONAGUA during the morning press conference on March 27, seeks to modernize irrigation systems across more than 200,000ha, benefiting at least 225,000 agricultural producers. Its primary objective is to increase food production using less water while allocating water resources for aquifer recharge and human consumption in urban areas facing scarcity.

President Claudia Sheinbaum emphasized that the program will enhance productivity in the agricultural sector and ensure efficient water use for human consumption. "We aim to achieve greater production with less water and allocate 2.8 billion m3, three times the amount consumed by Mexico City for human use. We will redirect irrigation water to the people who need it most," she stated. She also highlighted that the government has engaged in ongoing dialogue with producers to facilitate the adoption of new irrigation technologies.

Efraín Morales, Director General, CONAGUA, noted that the program includes various measures to optimize water use in agriculture. These include lining 315km of canals with concrete to prevent infiltration, installing 43km of pipelines to reduce losses from evaporation, and implementing 673 automated and manual gates to improve water distribution.

Additionally, within agricultural plots, land leveling will be conducted on more than 10,500ha to ensure uniform irrigation. Multi-gate pipelines and waterways will be installed to minimize water losses. The program will also introduce drip, sprinkler, and micro-sprinkler irrigation systems across more than 6,000ha, ensuring that water is applied precisely in the necessary amount and timing for each crop.

Aarón Mastache, Deputy Director General of Hydro-Agricultural Infrastructure, CONAGUA, highlighted that the program entails a total investment of MX$51.8 billion (US$2.5 billion), with MX$5.2 billion allocated for this year. Of this amount, MX$4.6 billion will come from federal funds, while the remainder will be contributed by users and state governments.

So far, 10 of the 13 agreements have been signed in the states of Hidalgo, Sinaloa, Morelos, Aguascalientes, Tamaulipas, Guanajuato, and Chihuahua, as well as in the Laguna region between Coahuila and Durango. These agreements result from negotiations with producers who provide their land and concessioned water rights. The remaining three agreements are expected to be signed soon, two with Chihuahua, while negotiations are still underway for the agreement concerning Mexicali, Baja California. Each irrigation district has its own budget, goals, and timelines. Mastache stated that in 2025, MX$993 million will be allocated for 73 additional irrigation districts, MX$441 million for irrigation units, and MX$225 million for rain-fed irrigation districts.