How to Improve Irrigation Efficiency in Collaboration with Farmers

Carolina Pittella – Project Manager at Agua Segura

When it comes to water projects in rural areas, the challenge isn’t so much about the “what” but the “how.” In my experience, understanding the community and the local water resources is the first and most critical step to developing an effective action plan. Listening to people, learning about their customs and needs allows us to create realistic, sustainable projects that truly make a difference in their lives.

I always start by involving local teams as key partners in the process. They are the first to point out the limitations and challenges we’ll need to tackle. Although it can seem overwhelming at first, this is when the right questions emerge, and the true scope of the project begins to take shape. These teams have an unmatched understanding of the local climate, the best times to work, the local suppliers, and the logistics—like road conditions and costs—that can make or break a project. Paying attention to these factors can significantly improve the project’s success and optimize resources.

Along with local teams, foundations that have been working in the area for years are invaluable partners. Not only do they understand the community’s specific needs, but they also help facilitate initial contacts and adjust the project’s scope when necessary. Building strong relationships with these foundations opens doors to faster and more efficient solutions. Entering a community with a trusted local partner by your side makes it easier to navigate future challenges.

Another crucial element in planning is choosing the right communication channel for each team. Not everyone communicates or processes information the same way. Figuring out whether a call, video call, message, or email is the best option helps keep the workflow efficient and effective. It’s also important to adjust communication frequency based on everyone’s availability, and when needed, to make in-person visits to strengthen relationships and ensure the project stays on track.

Ultimately, a project in a rural community will only succeed if we truly understand the local context and build strong partnerships with those who know the area best. In this way, teamwork becomes the key to bringing safe water to those who need it most.

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.