Water use efficiency, a key tool for the future of irrigated valleys

In a scenario marked by climate change and increasing pressure on water resources, water use efficiency is becoming a strategic factor for the development of irrigated production. In this context, the National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA) developed a Module for the Evaluation and Efficient Management of Irrigation in Pressurized Systems, a tool that allows the optimization of water use and improved productivity.

The development was spearheaded by the team at the INTA 25 de Mayo Rural Extension Agency, led by Carolina Aumassanne, along with Dardo Roy Fontanella. The module allows for measuring the applied water depth, evaluating distribution uniformity, monitoring equipment pressure, controlling soil moisture in real time, and performing water balance calculations for more precise irrigation management.

This new technical service for local producers is part of a Federal Innovation Project funded by the former Ministry of Science and Technology in 2022, and its development was supported by the Ministry of Production of La Pampa. During her recent visit to the town, Minister Fernanda González met with representatives from INTA and the developers of this important new equipment for the region.

In La Pampa, these tools complement the work carried out by the Provincial Entity of the Colorado River (EPRC), the authority responsible for the administration, operation, and maintenance of the irrigation system within its jurisdiction. Through irrigation scheduling, canal network maintenance, water infrastructure upkeep, and ongoing support for producers, the organization promotes the efficient, equitable, and sustainable use of water, a fundamental resource for the development of the agricultural region.

Measurements allow for the detection of discrepancies between the water a system is designed to apply and the water the crop actually receives, enabling adjustments to irrigation times, reduction of water and energy losses, and improved crop yields. Another key aspect is the evaluation of irrigation uniformity. Using specialized instruments, pressure problems, clogged emitters, or design flaws that can create areas with excess or insufficient water, impacting productivity, are identified. Soil moisture monitoring complements the diagnostic process, as it allows for determining the actual water availability in the root zone and more precisely defining when and how much to irrigate, replacing decisions based solely on estimates.

In this sense, the coordinated work between INTA and the Provincial Entity of the Colorado River strengthens the development of a more efficient irrigated production, incorporating technology, information and good practices that allow optimizing every cubic meter of available water.

This technology is especially relevant for the irrigated valleys of Northern Patagonia, where decreasing river flows and increasing water demand require increasingly efficient water management. In addition to improving production, the system generates objective and traceable information that contributes to regional water planning, strengthening collaboration among producers, technical agencies, and irrigation system administrators. The incorporation of evaluation and monitoring tools, combined with the comprehensive management of the region’s irrigation infrastructure by the Provincial Colorado River Authority, represents a fundamental step towards more efficient and sustainable agriculture, promoting water and energy conservation, improved crop quality, and the preservation of a strategic resource for future generations.

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