Irrigation covers 1,7 million hectares in Brazil

The Ministry of Integration and Regional Development (MIDR) ends 2024 with a significant milestone for Brazilian agriculture: the formalization of four new Irrigated Agriculture Hubs. The initiative reinforces the Federal Government's commitment to ensuring the country's food security and expanding food production in the face of growing global demand, while promoting sustainable regional development and addressing water scarcity. These actions stand out in the 2024 balance sheet of the National Secretariat for Water Security (SNSH). 

The Irrigated Agriculture Hubs are part of the National Irrigation Policy (PNI), established by Law No. 12.787/2013, which aims to diagnose and overcome bottlenecks that impede the advancement of irrigated production in Brazil. Currently, the country has 16 hubs in operation, covering an area of ​​1,7 million irrigated hectares and a potential for expansion to another 8 million hectares. 

In 2024, the following Hubs were made official:

• Irrigated Agriculture Hub of Southwest Tocantins (Ordinance No. 2880/2024);
• Irrigated Agriculture Hub of the South-Central region of Mato Grosso do Sul (MIDR/SNSH Ordinance No. 3.724/2024);
• Irrigation Hub of the Federal District (Ordinance No. 4.043/2024);
• Irrigation Hub of the Paranã Valley Region (Ordinance No. 4.055/2024).

Furthermore, MIDR is already working on the creation of a new hub for 2025, in the Serra da Ibiapaba region, in Ceará, continuing the expansion of irrigation in strategic areas of the national territory. 

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) indicates that by 2050, with a global population approaching 10 billion people, it will be necessary to expand food production by between 60% and 70%. According to the Director of Irrigation at the MIDR Secretariat for Water Security (SNSH), Larissa Rêgo, it is estimated that 60% of the food demanded globally will be produced in Brazil and irrigation will be a great ally. “Irrigation plays a crucial role in this scenario, ensuring global food security, and this is a priority in the efforts made with irrigated agriculture hubs,” explains the director. 

Infrastructure and Challenges 

Irrigated Agriculture Hubs allow mapping of priority needs of irrigated farmers in different regions. Studies indicate that 43,8% of demands are related to infrastructure, with an emphasis on logistics and electricity supply, followed by 22,9% in Technical Support, Research and Development. 

Another point of concern is environmental regulations and the difficulties in obtaining permits and licenses. These issues represent 18,9% of the demands identified, highlighting the need for greater integration between the public and private sectors to adapt regulatory processes and allow the growth of irrigated agriculture in a sustainable manner. 

Furthermore, the lack of detailed information and comprehensive monitoring of water resources also presents significant challenges. Despite these obstacles, a study carried out by the Luiz de Queiroz College of Agriculture (Esalq), in partnership with MIDR, estimates that Brazil has 53,4 million hectares of irrigable potential, including agricultural and pasture areas, under environmentally sustainable conditions. 

Economic and Social Benefits 

Irrigation plays a crucial role in expanding agricultural production and generating wealth. Irrigated Agriculture Hubs have already brought significant positive impacts, such as:

• Job Creation: It is estimated that 5 million direct and indirect jobs will be created;
• Local Economic Growth: Strengthening of agricultural GDP in the regions covered by the hubs;
• Sustainability: Efficient use of water and energy, reducing deforestation;
• Innovation and Competitiveness: Adoption of cutting-edge technologies that increase productivity with less environmental impact.

Food Security and National Sovereignty 

According to the Minister of Integration and Regional Development, Waldez Góes, by closing 2024 with four new Irrigated Agriculture Hubs, the MIDR consolidates a long-term strategy to transform Brazilian agriculture into a global benchmark model. “By strengthening the hubs, the MIDR reaffirms the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring that food is not lacking on Brazilians’ plates, even in the face of pressure to increase global production,” he reinforced. 

Water security advances in 2024 

The Ministry of Integration and Regional Development (MIDR) closed 2024 with R$1,3 billion committed through the New Growth Acceleration Program (New PAC). From the Water for All axis, the sub-axes Water Infrastructure, Revitalization of River Basins and Water for those who need it most made historic deliveries in all regions of Brazil. The expectation is that the ministry will execute approximately R$4,8 billion more from the New PAC by 2026. 

The highlights were the associated branches of the São Francisco River Integration Project (PISF). Designed to benefit the Agreste mesoregion of Paraíba, the Vertente Litorânea reached 84% of physical completion; the Cinturão das Águas do Ceará, a water supply infrastructure for the metropolitan region of Fortaleza, with approximately 80 million people, reached 4,5%; and the Ramal do Apodi, which will connect Rio Grande do Norte to Paraíba with the 68-kilometer Major Sales tunnel, reached 6,3% of physical completion. “The service orders are ready so that we can start 2025 with new water works to enable water storage and distribution to the neediest population,” said Minister Waldez Góes. 

According to the National Secretary for Water Security, Giuseppe Vieira, the MIDR has ensured the activity of the water system of the São Francisco River integration works. “Through this infrastructure, we will make almost 210 million cubic meters of water available in 2024. Also this year, President Lula signed the service order for the Salgado Branch, a project that will guarantee greater water security for the state of Ceará, especially for the entire metropolitan region of Fortaleza,” said the secretary. The infrastructure will benefit 54 municipalities in the state, with approximately 5 million people. 

Fresh Water Program 

Known as a prolonged period of low rainfall resulting in water scarcity, drought was intensely present in 2024, closing the year with eight states - Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo, Mato Grosso, Goiás, Acre, Sergipe, Piauí, Rio Grande do Norte and Ceará - in a state of emergency. Information released by the National Center for Monitoring and Alerts for Natural Disasters (Cemaden) this year warns of the worst drought in Brazil's history. 

Amid water shortages, the Freshwater Program (PAD) has put more than 100 desalination systems into operation in nine states. The Federal Government's drinking water access initiative, coordinated by MIDR, seeks to establish a permanent public policy for access to quality water for human consumption through the sustainable use of groundwater. 

In view of this, the PAD has reached the milestone of 1.065 systems implemented in 298 municipalities in the Brazilian semi-arid region. With a production capacity of 4,2 million liters of desalinated water per day, the systems benefit approximately 264 people. In addition, the PAD trains families to operate the systems. This year alone, 3.195 people were trained by the program. 

Basin revitalization 

Also included in the New PAC, more than 70 revitalization actions were approved in 2024, in partnership with the Eletrobrás accounts management committee. The projects aim to ensure improved quality and increased water availability in the regions of the São Francisco Basin, the Parnaíba Basin and the area of ​​influence of the Furnas lakes. The investment is more than R$1 billion, with an additional R$5,8 billion expected over the next 10 years.