In response to the growing water crisis affecting Mexico and particularly Nuevo León, the company Kilimo presented its initiative "Water Beats". One of the projects that comprise it, called North Pulse, aims to replenish 40 million cubic meters of water annually by optimizing its use in agriculture. This amount would be equivalent to approximately 40 full BBVA stadiums of water for storage.
Collaboration between the private sector, academia, government, and social organizations will be key to carrying out this effort. Carmen Guerrero Sotelo, climate solutions manager at Kilimo Mexico, emphasized the need for a collective approach to address the water issue, highlighting that it is not the exclusive responsibility of a single sector. The implementation of precision irrigation systems is Kilimo's proposal, replacing traditional irrigation practices that waste up to 80% of water.
The North Pulse project, presented at Tec de Monterrey, seeks not only to transform agriculture in Mexico but also to lay the groundwork for sustainable water management in a country affected by global water stress. Guerrero detailed that the project's focus is directed at restoring the Rio Bravo-San Juan basin, aiming to alleviate the water shortage affecting farmers in Nuevo León and Coahuila, regions that have seen their cultivated area reduced by 30%.
The transition to drip irrigation systems can not only optimize water use but also increase agricultural production by up to 50% and improve farmers' incomes. Kilimo engages various stakeholders in the region, including companies, academic institutions, and government entities, driving collective action projects to improve water usage in agriculture. The company offers a gradual financing model for irrigation systems, where farmers take on part of the initial cost and commit to following recommended practices.
Kilimo's investment focuses on Mexico due to the severity of the water crisis in the country. The implementation of technological solutions, such as precision irrigation systems, is considered fundamental to improving water availability in the region. However, the project's success depends on collaboration among all sectors involved. Kilimo has been carrying out initiatives in the Rio Bravo-San Juan basin since 2022 with the conviction that only through collaboration can a significant impact on water management in the region be achieved.
