West of Bahia will gain the 1st irrigation hub in the Northeast

Nationally recognized as a productive granary, western Bahia will gain the first irrigation hub in the Northeast. Like Rio Grande do Sul and Goiás, implementation in Bahia is part of the national irrigation policy, outlined by the federal government. The topic was widely discussed at an event promoted by the Ministry of Regional Development (MDR), in Barreiras. The Association of Farmers and Irrigators of Bahia (Aiba) hosted the debate, which brought together, for two days, rural producers, representatives of civil society and technical teams from environmental agencies at the municipal, state and federal levels.

According to the coordinator of MDR irrigation hub projects, Antônio Leite, the choice of western Bahia to implement the hub is due to the agricultural potential of the region, which is nationally notable in the production of grains and fiber. “We are looking for regions where there is already consolidated irrigated activity. The aim is not to implement the technology, but to improve and even expand it”, he pointed out.

With mostly dry farming, western Bahia has only 8% of its planted area irrigated, equivalent to 192 thousand hectares. Preliminary studies indicate the potential to safely increase this percentage. “No other enterprise is as economically, socially and environmentally profitable as irrigation. Not to mention the sustainable development of the region. Irrigated agriculture in western Bahia is technically well equipped, making efficient use of water”, said UFV professor, irrigation specialist, Everardo Montovani, who coordinates the Water Potential Studies of Western Bahia.

For Aiba's Director of Environment and Irrigation, Alessandra Chaves, this is an important discussion, as it is not just about expanding the irrigated area, but about promoting the efficiency of water use, ensuring water security for users of the resource. Natural. “The main objective is to strengthen agricultural activity, with a view to sustainability. The hub as it is designed and structured will develop both irrigated and rainfed agriculture; both small and medium and large producers; benefiting the Cerrado and the Valley, in a way that includes not only the production of grains and fiber, as well as fruit and vegetable crops, because we did not just think about the consolidated areas, but about their entire potential for expansion, promoting agricultural costs and strengthening the economy of the region”, he highlighted.

The arrival of the western irrigation hub will cover 17 municipalities in the region and will bring direct and indirect benefits to the population, such as the improvement of roads and bridges, energy and internet. The first meeting to discuss its implementation resulted in the creation of a management group, made up of representatives from environmental agencies and trade associations, who indicated the region's priorities. Based on four axes (infrastructure, legislation, technical assistance and research), the project portfolio will be built together with the MDR, which will be responsible for seeking partners and resources for the works. “There is also the part that does not involve works, but that benefit the region, such as the regulation of laws. The Ministry will provide full support to the demands”, signaled the MDR representative.

The president of Aiba, Celestino Zanella, also highlighted the plurality of public and private entities that participated in the discussion. “It is worth highlighting the importance of receiving in our region a technical team from the Ministry, which had the sensitivity to see the potential of western Bahia and bring here such an important debate, involving all interested parties”, he said when citing Inema’s participation , Codevasf, Sudene, Faeb, Rural Producers Unions, Bahiater, Seagri, DNR, city halls, advisories and consultants in the region.