Farmers, technicians and other rural professionals living in the semi-arid region have a tool at their disposal to identify suitable areas for the construction of underground dams and overcome prolonged droughts. The GuardeÁgua application is available free of charge for cell phones with Android system, on the Play Store, and also has web version.
Developed by Embrapa Solos, in partnership with Articulação Semiárido Brasileiro (ASA), the application is still in beta version. THE The tool aims to make decisions about the viability of social water technology, widely used to guarantee soil moisture and allow planting even in periods of scarce rainfall, more precise.
Although the underground dam is a consolidated solution in the semi-arid region, the Embrapa Solos emphasizes that not all land is suitable for its construction. GuardeÁgua was created precisely to reduce errors in choosing a location, based on technical criteria.
According to Embrapa, the application is an innovative digital solution, with a simple and guiding interface, which helps to identify areas with potential for installing the dam.
Use without internet
Designed for direct use in the field, the application works offlinewhich guarantees autonomy in regions without internet access. When the connection is reestablished, the collected data is automatically synchronized with the platform.
For analysis, the user enters information related to soil, relief, climate, geology and vegetation. Based on this data, the system presents one of three possible results:
• Suitable: suitable location for the underground dam;
• Restricted: viable location, but with technical limitations;
• Unsuitable: area not recommended for technology.
The analysis report can be viewed on screen or downloaded in PDF format, with the technical justification of the result.
Management Guidelines
In addition to evaluating the viability of the dam, GuardeÁgua offers basic guidelines for soil and water management, with suggestions for conservation and irrigation practices, in cases classified as “Suitable” or “Restricted.”
The application also indicates recommended agricultural crops for each area analyzed. When selecting a culture, the user is sent to the Embrapa Portalwhere you will find detailed technical information about production, cultivation systems and breeding. The tool also integrates data from the Agricultural Climate Risk Zoning (Zarc) and the Zarc Plantio Certo application, which inform the best planting period by municipality.
Trainings in 11 states
According to Embrapa Soils, training is planned in all 11 states of the Brazilian semi-arid region in the first half of 2026. The action will be coordinated by Embrapa Solos and ASA, with financial support from the Ministry of Development and Social Assistance, Family and Fight Against Hunger (MDS).
During the launch of the application, Embrapa promoted two practical training sessions on rural properties in São José da Tapera (AL), recognized as references in the use of underground dams.
Launch and tribute
The official launch ceremony took place on the 10th, in Santana do Ipanema (AL), and brought together representatives from MDS, Embrapa, ASA, local City Hall, Senar Alagoas and family farmers. The event was also marked by a tribute to researcher Luís de França da Silva Neto, from Embrapa Solos, who led the development of the application and passed away in October 2024, aged 44.
Recognized for his work in projects aimed at family farming and sustainable soil management, Luís de França made important contributions to the advancement of underground dam technology in the semi-arid region.
