First Water Conference of Moquegua 2026
At the First Water Conference held on March 26, 2026, in Moquegua, the participation of Hombray Taylor (IICA Water and Agriculture Coordinator) stood out. His contribution strengthened technical dialogue and promoted coordinated efforts toward water security. The event was consolidated as a key space to advance innovative and sustainable Nature-based Solutions (NbS), reaffirming the commitment to implement concrete water actions in collaboration with institutions and communities.
New content available: Water governance in semi-arid territories
We have added a new section to our platform presenting the progress, experiences, and lessons learned from the water governance project in the provinces of San Juan and Mendoza (Argentina) and the Coquimbo Region (Chile).
This work, developed within the framework of the Hemispheric Fund for Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability (IICA), addresses the challenges of the water crisis through capacity building, strategic planning, and the exchange of experiences between territories. In this section you will find:
- Field experiences and participatory processes
- Progress in water governance and planning
- Technical exchanges between Argentina and Chile
- Progress in the development of provincial water plans
4th EU–LAC Agrifood Dialogue: “Water and Agriculture in Transition: Towards Sustainable and Resilient Management in the EU and LAC”
On December 2 and 3, 2025, the 4th EU–LAC Agrifood Dialogue took place in Brasília, titled “Water and Agriculture in Transition: Towards Sustainable and Resilient Management in the EU and LAC.” It was held within the framework of the AL-INVEST Verde program (Component 2) as a platform for technical and political exchange aimed at strengthening water resilience in agrifood systems. During the first day, technical panels were conducted focusing on investment, innovation, and water governance. Notably, the panel on technological solutions for sustainable water management addressed experiences related to irrigation digitalization, the use of artificial intelligence, water monitoring, and reuse. These discussions highlighted agriculture as a key actor in the transition toward integrated, efficient, and sustainable water management in the EU and LAC.
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Regional Water Week 2025, Latin America and the Caribbean
On Friday, October 10, Session 3 of the Regional Water Week at ECLAC was held, entitled Water and Agriculture, Solutions for Agricultural Water Availability. The second panel in this session was Nature-Based Solutions and Innovation for Agricultural Water Availability. The initiative played a leading role in this panel, where a general overview of NbS and IICA's experiences in this area were presented.
Water and agriculture
It proposes solutions with innovative approaches that respond to a variety of situations, including: the availability and quality of water and soil, the level of development of agricultural infrastructure, exposure to droughts and floods, the sustainable use of groundwater resources, and the institutional capacity of the stakeholders involved.
Approximately 97.5% of Earth's water is salty and the remaining 2.5% is freshwater, but only 1% is available. Of that 1%, the agricultural sector is the major consumer of around 70%. It is estimated that in the countries of the American continent more than 390 million hectares are cultivated under rainfed agriculture with a lower productivity than that of irrigation agriculture[1] There are approximately 44 million hectares cultivated with irrigated agriculture, which represents 13% of the total hectares cultivated in the region so it is imperative to increase irrigated surfaces and water efficiency for agriculture to increase productivity.
Why is water and agriculture so important?
[1] Like the rest of the world, on the American continent most of the agricultural land is dry land. 87% of the arable land corresponds to this system, in Canada it is 98%, Paraguay 87%. In 24 American countries this system is used on more than 80% of the arable land. Regarding productivity, it is estimated that cereals grown under rainfed conditions are close to 65% of the productivity achieved under irrigation.
[1] Like the rest of the world, on the American continent most of the agricultural land is dry land. 87% of the arable land corresponds to this system, in Canada it is 98%, Paraguay 87%. In 24 American countries this system is used on more than 80% of the arable land. Regarding productivity, it is estimated that cereals grown under rainfed conditions are close to 65% of the productivity achieved under irrigation.
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Current Challenges
Water scarcity, misuse and the impacts of climate change seriously compromise agri-food systems and food security in the Americas and the rest of the world. As a consequence of this reality, agriculture must develop and implement innovative production systems in which the use of water will be a priority.
To ensure the sustainability of this Initiative after the end of the execution period, management agreements and commitments and support services will be established with public and private actors, cooperation and financing organizations, academia, beneficiaries and their participating organizations.
Organization for the execution of the initiative
Partners and
Hemispheric Alliances
Strategic alliances will be established with institutions that contribute to the work lines of the four strategic axes (Water production and storage, Innovation, Governance, Promotion of investments) in a “win-win” relationship.
IICA Water Network
The IICA Water Network is composed of specialist members of the Institute with expertise in water, agriculture, and related areas. Its objective is to consolidate capacities and promote public-private partnerships among IICA members to improve integrated and efficient management of water use for agriculture, through the support of ministries of agriculture and water agencies, and by identifying and promoting project initiatives that leverage external funding within the framework of the IICA Hemispheric Partnership on Water and Agriculture.
Furthermore, the network seeks to foster interaction and the exchange of experiences, projects, technological innovations, scientific articles, verified press releases, sectoral policy documents, and success stories among its members, with the goal of improving the current water situation facing agriculture in the Americas.
Upcoming Events
We are interested in knowing about innovations and technologies!
Contact us, and be part of the Technology Atlas that is transforming the way we approach irrigation, water conservation and efficiency in agricultural production in the Americas.
Send us an email to:agua.agricultura@iica.int
