In San Juan de Abajo, Nayarit, Bayer has launched a pilot project for solar irrigation, aiming to transform water management in agriculture while reducing CO2 emissions.
With an investment of 6.5 million pesos, this system combines drip irrigation with solar energy, promising a model of sustainability and productivity.
Manuel Bravo, President and CEO of Bayer in Mexico, stated in an interview that projects like this not only benefit the environment but also generate economic gains for producers. "This type of project is a win-win. You save water, enable the producer to generate more food, and become more profitable by using fewer inputs," he commented.
The project's return on investment is projected to exceed 25 percent, allowing costs to be recovered in three to four years, according to Bravo's estimates.
Bayer reported that drip irrigation consumes 45 percent less water than traditional methods, achieving an efficiency rate of 85 percent. This translates to avoiding water losses sufficient to supply over 10,800 people.
Moreover, by operating on solar energy, the system eliminates diesel use and generates zero CO2 emissions, equivalent to preventing 43.65 tons of CO2 annually, or planting 1,984 trees.
The impact of this system extends beyond resource savings; it also significantly boosts crop yields. Bravo estimates an increase of 17 to 25 percent in productivity, a notable improvement compared to the annual 2 percent increase typically seen with genetic seed enhancements.
Bravo emphasized the importance of this initiative in addressing current agricultural challenges and climate change. "We need radical and transformational solutions based on science, technology, and innovation," he asserted.
He highlighted that initiatives like this are crucial for advancing large-scale regenerative agriculture, which could reverse the effects of climate change. "It is through science, technology, and innovation that we can achieve sustainable agriculture and restore nature," he concluded.
Climate change poses significant risks to agriculture. In Mexico, approximately 70 percent of farmland relies on seasonal rains, while only 30 percent utilizes irrigation, making water availability critical.
Bravo pointed out that without rain in rain-fed areas, farmers may not complete their cycles or even plant. Irrigated regions like Sinaloa, Sonora, Chihuahua, Tamaulipas, and Bajío also face challenges during dry spells.
Sinaloa, known as Mexico's 'granary,' typically sows 500,000 hectares of maize, producing around six million tons of white maize. However, due to recent droughts, this figure is expected to drop to only 180,000 to 200,000 hectares this cycle, resulting in a production decrease of approximately 60 percent, limiting output to just two million tons.
"The reduction impacts not only farmers but the entire production chain: input companies, the maize processing industry, and food production such as tortillas and livestock feed," he emphasized.