Getting to Know the Community: The First Step to a Successful Water Project.

Esther Camacho Guerrero – Director of the Regenera Bajío Program, Nuup.

In Mexico, as in many other countries, the agricultural sector is one of the largest water consumers, accounting for 67.52% of total water use. This makes sustainable water management essential to ensure food security and preserve the country’s water resources.

Currently, small-scale agriculture, which covers almost 72% of the territory, predominantly relies on gravity irrigation systems (also known as furrow or flood irrigation), which have low efficiency rates, ranging between 20% and 40%. Through our fieldwork with farmers, we’ve demonstrated that it is possible to increase these efficiencies up to 80%, with an effective cost-benefit ratio.

The optimization of irrigation in agriculture largely depends on the human factor, which is key to achieving significant and sustainable long-term water savings. Collaboration between technical knowledge and the farmer’s experience is crucial: while scientific tools and methods provide technical solutions, their effective implementation depends on the farmer’s commitment and ability to adapt these solutions to local conditions.

Aware of the unique characteristics of Mexican farmlands, we have developed an intervention framework focused on improving irrigation efficiencies by providing personalized technical advice to each farmer. This individualized approach allows us to deeply understand the initial conditions, such as the specific characteristics of the land, the available irrigation infrastructure, and the specific needs of the crops. In this way, we can propose tailored improvements that not only increase irrigation efficiency and reduce water consumption, especially groundwater, but also prevent pests and diseases and improve crop yields.

The methodology starts by thoroughly understanding the farmers’ usual irrigation practices: how, how much, and when do they irrigate? Why do they do it that way? This analysis, along with field measurements, allows us to offer customized recommendations that optimize irrigation within their plots.

After more than two years of close work with farmers, we’ve noticed that many still follow habits passed down through generations, which are not always the most appropriate for sustainable resource management. Changing these habits is not easy, which is why establishing trust from the outset is essential. We encourage active farmer participation throughout the process, considering their input on proposed improvements, assisting them with implementation, and supporting them in recording field data. Moreover, we seek complementary resources to improve irrigation infrastructure and offer comprehensive advice that goes beyond efficient water use, also addressing productive and commercial aspects.

Another key aspect of our methodology is returning the information collected during each production cycle to the farmers, enabling them to observe and analyze the benefits and impacts of improved irrigation practices. This not only promotes greater awareness of responsible water use but also improves decision-making in their irrigation units, empowering farmers to take responsibility for their limited resources.

We are convinced that education and awareness in the communities where we implement our projects are crucial to addressing water stress. Through group workshops, we provide updated information on water challenges, best practices for efficient use, and farmers’ rights and responsibilities. This fosters deeper reflection on the environmental consequences of conventional agriculture, promoting a sustainable approach tailored to current challenges.

Gisella Djenderedjian – General Manager of Dvigi.

Access to safe drinking water remains a crucial global challenge. More than 2.2 billion people lack access to clean water, which has devastating consequences, especially in rural communities. According to the World Health Organization, over 485,000 people die each year from diarrheal diseases linked to contaminated water consumption. The lack of potable water particularly affects women and children, who are often responsible for collecting water in many regions. This task not only exposes them to physical risks and health issues but also takes away educational and employment opportunities, perpetuating a cycle of poverty and inequality.

In response to this reality, technology has become a key tool in improving access to safe water. Ultrafiltration systems have proven to be an effective and accessible solution, capable of removing bacteria, viruses, and sediments from water, providing a reliable source of drinking water. These filters are easy to install and maintain, making them ideal for areas where water infrastructure is limited or non-existent. Gisella Djenderedjian, General Manager of Dvigi, highlights the effectiveness of these systems: ‘Our purifiers combine ultrafiltration technology with activated carbon and sediment filters, removing impurities and improving the taste of water while retaining essential minerals. We want to be part of the solution to the global water crisis by offering technology that positively impacts people’s health and well-being.’

Beyond their efficiency, these filters are a sustainable option. ‘Our commitment is to improve the quality of life in regions that need it most, using sustainable technology to transform water access,’ Djenderedjian adds. At Agua Segura, we work to implement these systems in rural communities, where they provide an efficient and economical solution for access to safe drinking water. At the same time, we conduct awareness workshops in vulnerable areas, promoting the importance of hygiene habits and proper use of these filters, ensuring their durability and long-term effectiveness. With each project, we not only improve the health and well-being of individuals but also help create opportunities for development and empowerment in the most underserved communities.

Manuel Sauri – CEO of Agua Segura

When we think about the importance of water for our lives and development, we likely picture rivers, seas, and lakes that provide us with nourishment, energy, and recreation. If we delve a bit deeper, we might also reflect on the significance of wetlands and ecosystems that help mitigate the effects of climate change, contributing their biodiversity and richness. However, there’s a place where nearly all of the planet’s liquid freshwater is found: beneath the earth. Groundwater is crucial to human society, and its protection and sustainable management are the foundation of any development strategy.

Access to safe water is a basic human right. We only need to recall the “water cycle” we learned in school to understand that what we do on the surface directly affects what happens below. If the water cycle doesn’t function properly, terrestrial ecosystems can’t sustain themselves, leading to climate variations that impact the levels of rivers, lakes, seas, and oceans. Groundwater is the backbone of drinking water supplies, sanitation systems, agriculture, industry, and ecosystems. If, for example, it’s depleted due to excessive irrigation pumping or contaminated by pesticides or hazardous substances, the availability of this essential public good for human life is severely compromised. This, in turn, triggers a chain of challenges, including the degradation of productive soils and the wealth they generate daily. Agriculture is the largest consumer of freshwater resources worldwide, and the ability to feed the growing global population depends heavily on this resource and the health of the land we cultivate, irrigate, and harvest.

According to the UN, to feed a global population that could reach 9 billion by 2050, food production must increase by 60%, and today, 40% of all irrigation water comes from aquifers. Therefore, to prevent groundwater depletion, sustainable policies must be adopted that provide information on its location, availability, and condition; focus on efficient resource management; and protect its quality to preserve its diverse functionality, adding value to the human and productive development of any community. Groundwater knows no borders, and a global, collaborative, and long-term perspective is necessary to address the challenges we face.

Another critical aspect is the importance of ecosystems in creating safe environments for life on the planet. Groundwater protects our coasts from seawater intrusion and plays a key role in mitigating climate change by safeguarding ecosystems such as wetlands and rivers. The water crisis has also exacerbated the aridity of some regions that now rely almost exclusively on groundwater for survival.

We’re talking about a hidden treasure beneath our feet that we must care for, monitor, and manage with great responsibility. It’s about making the invisible visible—the infinite value of our groundwater.