Regulatory framework
Among its priorities, it demands the registration and regularization of water rights, both surface and groundwater. Published in April 2022. Prioritizing human consumption, domestic subsistence use (water extracted by a person for personal consumption, drinking water for their animals, or fruit and vegetable crops) and sanitation, along with ensuring harmony and balance between the ecosystem preservation function and the productive function of water.There are four pillars to this reform: the right to water and sanitation that prioritizes human consumption, ecosystem preservation, governance and land management, sustainable production, and water efficiency, imposing requirements on both water users and the Ministry of Public Works' General Water Directorate (DGA).
Allows you to apply for a right to use surface water, which is considered a national resource for public use, in accordance with the provisions of the Water Code.The application can be made throughout the year on the website of the General Water Directorate (DGA), at the offices of the parties or at the presidential delegations (where there is no DGA office) in the province where the water collection point is located.
It allows the private sector to obtain subsidies to access infrastructure and technified irrigation systems with a view to modernizing agriculture and increasing its international competitiveness.(i) guarantees water security; (ii) promotes water use efficiency; (iii) incorporates and maintains irrigated agriculture in rainfed areas; (iv) promotes food sovereignty and security; (v) continuous improvement of irrigation systems; (vi) adaptation to climate change; (vii) sustainable and equitable rural and territorial development; (viii) ecosystem conservation. It includes Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) with "Actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural or modified ecosystems that address societal challenges such as climate change, food and water security, or disaster risk, in an effective and adaptive manner, while providing benefits for sustainable development and biodiversity. Update August 3, 2023 sets new guidelines for classification under a new criterion: the annual income from sales and services of applicants, including all their related entities. Only farmers with annual sales income of less than or equal to 50,000 UF may apply. In addition, the maximum subsidy for small farmers is increased from 90% to 95% of the total project cost, increasing the subsidy amounts from 400 UF to 1,000 UF for individual projects. It establishes new conditions for the allocation of resources, such as projects that incorporate new irrigation areas in prohibited areas or areas declared exhausted will not be eligible for benefits. Proof of compliance with the law on Native Forest Recovery and Forest Development, validated by CONAF, will also be required. The law establishes new conditions for the allocation of resources, such as projects that incorporate new irrigation areas in prohibited areas or areas declared depleted will not be eligible for benefits. Proof of compliance with the law on Native Forest Recovery and Forest Development, validated by CONAF, will also be required. In terms of environmental sustainability, the law will reward projects with additional investments that consider environmental objectives (e.g., promoting water conservation, wastewater reuse, biodiversity conservation, etc.). In addition, off-site projects may be required to include measures to mitigate any environmental impacts they may cause, such as watering holes for wildlife, aquifer recharge systems, or others.
This strategy identified priority areas and set important challenges that will need to be addressed as competition for water increases, interdependencies between users and associated conflicts grow, and environmental pressures intensify. For this reason, five areas were identified to guide the actions of the Ministry of Public Works, and in particular the Water Directorate, in order to reconcile different interests and uses, develop policies, and generate reforms.
The 2020-2050 Water Initiatives Investment Plan is part of the work of the Ministry of Public Works and aims to provide a tool to prepare the country to face medium- and long-term water challenges. In other words, it aims to address climate change and meet the requirements of various water demand sectors, with human consumption as a priority.
The objective is the progressive decarbonization of the electricity matrix and production processes, as well as a change in consumption patterns, highlighting the importance of the circular economy and promoting access to information and participation in climate governance.
This document contains the Agri-Food Sustainability Strategy, which defines national priorities for action for the sustainable development of the country's agri-food sector by 2030. The vision of the Strategy is for the national agri-food sector to be recognized as a supplier of sustainably produced food for Chile and the world, committed to people, communities, the environment, and the development of local economies.
Promote small-scale agriculture through an irrigation development program, in accordance with Article 3(a) of Law No. 18,450, which allows for subsidies for irrigation projects proposed by farmers belonging to small-scale agriculture and indigenous communities, under special conditions, allowing for the appropriate allocation of subsidies to irrigation works that promote water efficiency, thereby promoting fair and sustainable rural development in a participatory manner.
Chilean Decree Law 1123 of 1981 establishes the rules for the execution of irrigation works by the State. This decree allows the State to administer irrigation works for a maximum period of four years after their construction, known as “provisional operation.” The main objective of this decree is to regulate the construction and administration of irrigation works in Chile, ensuring their efficient operation and maintenance. The decree applies to all irrigation works built with state funds and establishes the rules for their execution, administration, and maintenance. The Irrigation Directorate is the agency designated as responsible for setting the provisional exploitation period and supervising the administration of irrigation works. This decree is fundamental for agricultural development and water resource management in Chile, and its implementation is crucial to ensure the efficiency and sustainability of irrigation works. This law allows for the implementation of important water development projects with state funds, including new works such as dams and basin channels, as well as the rehabilitation and improvement of existing irrigation works.
Institutional Framework
Install a new development model focused on the protection of the environment and the well-being of people, based on the implementation of Just Socio-Ecological Transition processes and the incorporation of a transversal ecological approach in the management and public policy cycle of the State.
Surveillance Boards (JV) are private, non-profit organizations made up of users with water rights in a river basin who work together to manage, administer, and protect water resources in their area. In other words, they are a type of Water Users Organization (OUA). They have jurisdiction up to the intake point of the canals that extract water from the natural watercourse. Their main objective is to manage and distribute water resources, promoting their efficient and sustainable use.
We are a Presidential Advisory Commission that reports administratively to the Ministry of Agriculture through its Undersecretary. The Agency's role is to formulate the National Food Safety and Quality Policy and oversee its implementation in the plans, programs, and other measures developed by the public agencies with jurisdiction in this area (SAG, MINSAL, SERNAPESCA, and SUBREI), serving as a coordinating and articulating entity between these agencies, the food industry, the scientific community, primary food producers, and the general public.
The Agroseguros Committee is an entity created by the CORFO Council in 2000 with the aim of developing and promoting agricultural insurance and administering a state subsidy for the co-payment of forestry and agricultural insurance premiums. It helps farmers protect their crops and production in a timely manner against various risks, such as rain, frost, hail, fires, and others, depending on the insurance policy taken out, coverage, region, and other factors. State-subsidized forestry and agricultural insurance is part of the country's agricultural policy and provides resilience to the agricultural sector to promote investment and growth.
The Natural Resources Information Center (CIREN) is a private legal entity that has been providing information on the country's natural and productive resources for over 30 years through the use of geospatial technologies and applications. The result of this work has been the creation of the most important database related to georeferenced information on soils, water resources, climate, fruit and forestry information in Chile, as well as a complete rural property registry.CIREN works to ensure quality in the provision of public goods and in the generation of new high-value products and services that contribute to planning, decision-making, and the design of productive development and land use policies. In addition, the institution provides up-to-date information on the territory and its resources to mitigate the potential risks they face, including natural disasters and climate change. The center is committed to minimizing the impact of these events while maintaining quality of life and means of production.
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Its mission is to direct public action for the development of irrigation in the country through a National Irrigation Policy which, through programs, projects, and instruments to promote irrigation and drainage, contributes to the efficient use of water resources in agriculture, water security in watersheds, food security, and the participation of farmers in a differentiated manner according to their realities and diversity.
The National Forestry Corporation (CONAF) is a private entity under the Ministry of Agriculture, whose main task is to administer Chile's forestry policy and promote the development of the sector. Its mission is to: Ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable management of the country's forest and xerophytic ecosystems through actions aimed at conservation, ecosystem management, monitoring, and afforestation, in order to meet current and future demand for ecosystem goods and services in a climate crisis scenario, contributing to the territorial development of indigenous peoples, vulnerable communities, the valuation of biodiversity, and gender perspective.
The Foundation for Agricultural Innovation (FIA) is the innovation agency of the Chilean Ministry of Agriculture that seeks to promote innovation processes through the FIA's strategic guidelines for the forestry and agricultural sector and/or the national agri-food chain, by promoting, coordinating, developing capacities, and disseminating technology initiatives that contribute to the sustainable development and competitiveness of Chile and its regions. This work is carried out thanks to the support of technicians and professionals.The Agricultural Development Institute (INDAP) is a service under the Ministry of Agriculture, created on November 27, 1962, whose mandate is established by Organic Law 18.910, amended by Law 19.213 in May 1993. It is a decentralized service whose purpose is to “promote the economic, social, and technological development of small agricultural producers and farmers, with the aim of contributing to raising their entrepreneurial, organizational, and commercial capacity, their integration into the rural development process, and at the same time optimizing the use of productive resources.”
INIA aims to contribute to the sustainability of the agri-food sector in order to advance towards greater food security and sovereignty; the creation of value and innovative solutions for farmers, strategic partners, and society through research and development, innovation, links with the environment, and technology transfer.
The Forestry Institute (INFOR) is a Chilean state technological research institute under the Ministry of Agriculture. It was founded in 1961 as a FAO project and was officially created by the Chilean government in 1965. INFOR is a private, non-profit corporation administered and directed by an executive director appointed by a board of directors. This Board is composed of nine members who are in turn nominated by the Ministry of Agriculture, the Vice Presidency of the Production Development Corporation, the Agricultural Development Institute, and the National Forestry Corporation. The Board also includes a representative from CORMA, PYMEMAD, APROBOSQUE, and INFOR employees.
It is the official agency of the Chilean government responsible for supporting the development of agriculture, forestry, and livestock through the protection and improvement of animal and plant health. To prevent the introduction of diseases or pests from abroad that could affect animals or plants and seriously damage agriculture, phytosanitary and zoosanitary border controls have been established. These controls operate at points of entry into the country, whether by land, air, or sea. There, products, means of transport, passenger luggage, crew, and commercial cargoes of agricultural and forestry products (fruit, milk, cheese, etc.) are inspected to verify that they comply with established health regulations.
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The Agricultural Emergency and Risk Management Section (SEGRA; formerly: Agricultural Emergency and Agroclimatic Risk Management Unit or UNEA) was created within the Chilean Ministry of Agriculture as the Executive Unit of the National Agroclimatic Risk Management System, a system that takes a “risk management” approach, i.e., it seeks to formulate and implement anticipatory measures that reduce and/or mitigate the effects of adverse climatic events or disasters. The objectives of the system are: 1) To reduce the impact of climatic events and disasters that affect agricultural and forestry systems; 2) To respond quickly and effectively to agricultural emergencies; and 3) To strengthen the adaptive capacities of producers to cope on their own with adverse climatic events caused by global climate variability and change. The main management areas of the Section are: agroclimatic information system, coordination of efforts or collaborative work, and the training and dissemination system.
The Office of Agricultural Studies and Policies (Odepa) is a centralized public service under the authority of the President of the Republic through the Ministry of Agriculture, created by Law No. 19,147, published in the Official Gazette on July 21, 1992.According to Article 2 of the aforementioned law, Odepa's purpose is to provide regional, national, and international information to enable the various actors involved in forestry and agricultural activities to make decisions.
To efficiently and effectively provide and manage infrastructure works and services, as well as regulate and promote the governance of water resources to ensure their preservation and availability; to foster, with a vision for the future, sustainable, resilient, inclusive, participatory, and gender-sensitive development, connecting the territory, caring for people, and improving their quality of life in harmony with nature.
To provide hydraulic infrastructure services that enable optimal use of water and protection of the territory and its people, through a competent team that uses resources efficiently and involves citizens in the different stages of projects, in order to contribute to the sustainable development of the country.
The Comptroller General of the Republic of Chile (CGR) is a senior oversight body of the State Administration, responsible for monitoring the legality of administrative acts and safeguarding the proper use of public funds.
Our mission is to contribute to sustainable development and the preservation and conservation of natural resources through environmental impact assessments, a citizen participation and indigenous consultation portal, and relevance consultations.
The Superintendency of the Environment (SMA) is a decentralized public service with legal personality and its own assets, subject to the supervision of the President of the Republic through the Ministry of the Environment, and whose management positions are filled in accordance with the Senior Public Management system. It was created by Law No. 20,417.The SMA is exclusively responsible for implementing, organizing, and coordinating the monitoring and enforcement of Environmental Qualification Resolutions, measures contained in Environmental Prevention and/or Decontamination Plans, the content of Environmental Quality Standards and Emission Standards, and Management Plans, when applicable, and all other environmental instruments established by law.
This agency is working to implement a new water governance system that includes the creation of basin councils to address the country's water scarcity and improve water management.
Regulatory and supervisory body for concessionaires providing drinking water and sewerage services.
Chile
According to the United Nations (UN), Chile is among the 10 countries most vulnerable to the effects of the climate crisis, as it meets seven of the nine criteria established in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Chile is the country most affected in Latin America by the water crisis, with a drought that impacts 72% of its surface, and also where 156 of its 345 municipalities are at risk of desertification, a threat that could affect 38% of the population.
Ministry of environment
water code
Irrigation law
Links of interest:
Faced with this scenario of climate change, water and sanitation companies have been deploying a series of projects and new infrastructure that have allowed the supply of cities to remain unchanged, despite more than 14 years of deep drought and increasingly extreme and intense climatic phenomena, such as turbidity in the rivers that supply the cities, fires, floods and alluviums, all of which the sanitation companies have to deal with.