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This action submitted in Local Actions at 4th World Water Forum (2006).
Date Mar.2,2007
Region America
Country Mexico
Actor(s)
[Nation (Ministry,
Agency)/Organization]		 Nexapeños del Norte" A.C.
Partner(s)

Title Maximization of Water and Soil use in agricultural-livestock activity
Objective The results expected before implementing the proposal were as follows: A) Improve the efficiency of lots introducing new irrigation systems. B) Develop and apply sowing programs in crops authorized by SAGARPA. C) Improve the efficiency in the use of water, introducing water regulation and control mechanisms, technology of irrigation with gate systems, sprinklers, micro-sprinklers and dripping. D) Have the necessary machinery and equipment to maintain the road network and get the crops, the network of pipelines and water distribution, cleaning and desilting regulation dykes.
As we can see 4 results were expected with the implementation of the proposed model, however, due to economic problems in our organization, only three out of four were achieved.
Efficiency in regards to parcel irrigation was substantially improved, implementing irrigation systems that better suited the parcel conditions. Due to the fact that the land natural topography is terrace type, very high irrigation effectiveness is achieved with volumes lower than the conventional ones..
In regards to the other two expected results, they were achieved by means of joint efforts by the users and staff of NERYASA and/or Ing. Efraín Neri Jiménez, with whom a sowing plan that better matched the water and soil availability conditions was set up, in accordance to a sustainable agriculture. Regarding the implementation of new parcel irrigation technologies, bases to start first of all with the traditional irrigation by gate were set up, and consequently they adopted techniques that were not so complex but effective at small scale, this way they could see in a practical way, how the farmers would adapt themselves to them. The economic impact was felt in the harvest of crops that followed the new irrigation and sowing schemes, due to the fact that these farmers had less crop losses, they harvested on time, they decreased their irrigation water consumption, they obtained good quality products and they could sell their products at a fair price. People who took advantage of this implementation were the families of farmers, communities and municipalities of our region in the state.
Contents The problem area is made up by 35 irrigation units grouped by means of a civil association called 'Nexapeños del Norte' that get the benefits of the Atoyac and Nexapa rivers waters through the weirs: Echeverría Chilhuacán and Champusco located between the southern part of Puebla municipality and the northeast part of Tepeojuma municipality; its geographical coordinates are: 18° 54´12´´ north latitude and 98°22´45´´ west longitude and 18° 50´ 08´´ north latitude and 98° 25´ 18´´ west longitude.
One of the issues we have to solve is the lack of an established irrigation schedule, because irrigation used to take place only according to habits and customs, provoking lack of order in the irrigation periods. Another factor that should be taken into consideration is that Atoyac river water (which is the main source of water supply) is classified as type 4, it is to say, for restricted irrigation that allows the use of wastewaters for sowing, growing and harvest of agricultural products, except legumes and vegetables that are consumed raw such as stated by NOM-001-ECOL-1996.
In spite of the total lack of interest of the federal government in investments to keep and maintain hydro-agricultural works, the very little technological knowledge of farmers and the economic crisis experienced by the agricultural and livestock sector, this region was not discouraged, and the evidence is the success they have achieved in horticulture, floriculture, agricultural and livestock activities that have made this area become one of the most productive of the state and of the country.
Considering that in spite of the above mentioned drawbacks, production had not been as poor, people came up with the idea of solving this problems by means of a model that could solve first of, all water productivity, in such a way that it could be better used and water losses due to piping problems could be prevented, since the biggest losses of water happened precisely because of this problem.
That is why farmers decided to join in groups (20 ejidos and 15 small properties) and make up a Civil Association, hoping that the National Water Commission (CNA) would incorporate them as an Irrigation District, in addition to hiring the technical services of the consultants NERYASA so that they were in charge of the Technical Management. In regards to the problem about the lack of an irrigation plan, an irrigation model based on irrigation frequency over the water volume was proposed, in such a way that the users could irrigate at least 15 times per year their whole surface.
Means of Implementation StakeHolder;
In order to implement this work model, support by CNA and SAGARPA as agencies of the state of Puebla government was necessary.
By the private sector, NERYASA and/or Ing. Efraín Neri Jiménez, Consultant company for countryside, supported us by means of this strategic plan design.
Fundación Produce Puebla A.C. as a non governmental organization provided economic support with productive projects for the region.


Means;
Government organization such as CNA and SAGARPA took part in the implementation of this project, participating as follows: CNA played an important role in keeping and maintaining hydro-agricultural infrastructure, contributing with up to 50% of the total cost of refurbishing works.
In regards to SAGARPA, they supported our organization by means of a program that allowed us to consolidate as an agricultural organization, and it also helped us with legal issues and in looking for credits for the agricultural sector.
Private initiative made a very important contribution in the implementation of this project, since they carried out all this work in our organization. The contribution was provided by NERYASA and/or Ing. Efraín Neri Jiménez.
Finally, Fundación Produce Puebla A.C. provided economic support and technical assistance for the performance of this project. It is important to mention that without the support of this non governmental institution it would not have been possible to carry out all this work.


Ideas;
If we take into consideration that the Mexican agricultural sector, is the one that receives the least amount of investments and has the greatest technological backwardness in comparison to other countries, it would be worthwhile noticing that in the region of Puebla, and more specifically in the region of Atlixco, people are working very hard to leave behind the technological backwardness that the Mexican field has carried for many years.
In such a way that if we take into consideration the above mentioned, this project is trying to look for solutions to problems faced by production in the Mexican field, by means of two really important vectors, such as maximizing the use of water and soil in such a way that productivity is increased and use of water volume reduced, as well as water loss; and in regards to soil, take care of this resource encouraging farmers to rotate crops, and let them rest, so that their production capacity is not reduced. .
Therefore it would be interesting that other irrigation modules took measures such as the one herein proposed, since this would help everybody use agriculture and especially water in the most responsible way possible, provided it is an increasingly scarce resource; therefore it is necessary to encourage farmers to take care of this precious resource.


Costs;
We will take into consideration the three results obtained up to date:

A) Improve parcel efficiency introducing new irrigation systems.

B) Develop and apply sowing programs in crops authorized by SAGARPA.

C) Improve efficiency in the use of water introducing water regulation and control mechanisms, irrigation technology with gate, sprinklers, micro-sprinklers and dripping systems.

All this has taken place thanks to the support of Fundación Produce Puebla A.C. with an approximate contribution of $125,000.00 granted to our organization.
Notwithstanding, in order to comply with the long term goals, an investment of almost $90,000,000.00 is necessary, because most of our works need refurbishing.
However, this goal will be achieved with the participation of the government and non government organizations, in addition to the resources of our organization.
CSD Decision D-b-(i):Building capacities of local communities in operation and maintenance of water systems, and training educators, managers and technicians in different aspects of water management;
D-c-(ii):Developing capacities in the area of water desalination, treatment of contaminants, rainwater harvesting and water efficiency through technology transfer and sharing of best practices;
D-b-(ii):Tapping local and indigenous knowledge in project development and implementation;
Attachment
Situation Ongoing
Target Year The commitment of our organization is to comply with the following long term goals:

? Have the necessary quality water so that current restrictions for sowing of crops that are consumed raw are excluded.
? Refurbish 100% of the Echeverría dam, Porfirio Díaz canal, the Portezuelo tunnel and the Portezuelo canal.
? Let the farmers know the regulations on plant health and use of wastewaters to reduce as much as possible the use of this kind of waters, in addition to encouraging the use of organic fertilizers and biodegradable agrochemicals that provoke the least possible damage to the agricultural – ecological environment
? Develop intensive and high technology livestock exploitation in regards to milk and dairy production, in such a way that it takes advantage from the capacity and quality of the area's fodder.
? Look for the support of the corresponding instances in order to jointly finance the study on the current status of soil, vegetal and human health as a result of wastewaters use in the small irrigation of crops.

Involved players are committed to reach these goals, although are very ambitious and difficult to achieve, we are certain that if we all take part in these challenges we will be able to overcome them within 15 years.
Target Area / Place Region:Americas
Scope:District
Expected Outcome(S) The importance of this project is that in our country, the agricultural sector has very little support, in spite of the fact that the field is the base of most of our nutrition, thus this work is intended to be used as an example by other regions of the state, and immediately after, by the country.
As you can see, in order to carry out this work, it is necessary to have farmers, government and non government organizations get involved, and encouraged by the same objective, preservation of the most important resource we have nowadays: water.
We should always support the promotion of projects or works that strive for the moderate use of water in any production sector, not only the agricultural one, since indifference towards this problem has caused that nowadays our water reserves are at the minimum level. An interesting measure that could be applied in the agricultural sector is the one herein described, which has proved that huge economic or human investments are not required, but rather willingness to work jointly in order to achieve a common benefit.
There are many alternatives to prevent loss of irrigation water when using irrigation agriculture in the field, however, the most feasible alternative should be sought for, taking into consideration all factors that may be involved, in such a way that we all get the benefits of adopting these measures.
The most important issue in order to carry out these initiatives is to have the support of people who make a direct use this resource, since if no agreement is reached for these plans, it will be very difficult to implement the project.
The best lesson learned out of this experience was that maximizing the use of water with minimum losses will only be possible with the support of a group willing to change traditions in the use of water, and aware that this resource is scarce and we have to take care of it for the sake of all humankind, not only for personal benefits, therefore, with nothing more ado, I would only like to encourage the farmer sector in particular, to be responsible when using water, since we should all take care of this resource today, for the sake of our families in the future.
Relevance to the Plan of
Implementation of WSSD
Progress
Link
Other Information Type of Action;
Isolated

Relevant Agencies;
Government,Private,Civil

Orientation;
Corrective/Preventive

Replicability;
Yes

4th World Water Forum:
Local Actions ID;
LA0541

Forum Secretariat Recommendation ;
Yes

Kyoto Prize Finalist;
No

Presented in Sessions;
No

Original Language;
Spanish
Contact Person Efrain Neri Ramirez
Position EVALUADOR DE PROYECTOS PRODUCTIVOS, EN LA CONSULTORA PARA EL CAMPO ACCASA. (DE JUNIO DE 2003 A ENERO DE 2004)
* PARTICIPANTE DEL PROGRAMA PARA LA ?RESTAURACIÓN DE LA LAGUNA DE CHAPULCO?, REALIZADO EN EL DEPARTAMENTO DE LA DIRECCIÓN DE ECOLOGÍA DEL ESTADO DE PUEBLA. (ENERO A JULIO DE 2004)
* TÉCNICO DEL AREA DE CONSERVACIÓN Y MANTENIMIENTO DEL MODULO VII ?NEXAPEÑOS DEL NORTE? A.C. DEL DISTRITO DE RIEGO 030 VALSEQUILLO. (DESDE JULIO DE 2004).
* ASISTENCIA Y PARTICIPACIÓN EN ?EL CONGRESO INTERNACIONAL DE INGENIERIA AMBIENTAL?, CON CEDE EN EL INSTITUTO TECNOLÓGICO DE MINATITLÁN. (DEL 10 AL 15 DE NOVIEMBRE DE 2003).
* PARTICIPACIÓN EN EL CURSO DE ?TRATAMIENTO DE AGUAS RESIDUALES?, IMPARTIDO DURANTE EL CONGRESO INTERNAIONAL DE INGENIERA AMBIENTAL, EN EL INSTITUTO TECNOLÓGICO DE MINATITLÁN. (DEL 10 AL 15 DE NOVIEMBRE DE 2003)
* ASISTENCIA Y PARTICIPACIÓN EN EL SEMINARIO ?MATERIALES PELIGROSOS Y RESPUESTA A EMERGENCIAS QUÍMICAS?, AUSPICIADO POR LA SEMARNAT Y LA PROFEPA, CON SEDE EN LA CIUDAD DE PUEBLA. (DEL 21 AL 23 DE JUNIO DEL 2004)
Email delneri_10@yahoo.com.mx
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