The agricultural institutions and other organizations of the Executive Branch met to work in a coordinated manner on the diagnosis and evaluation of various policy measures to address the water deficit situation. This includes various units of the MGAP, INIA, INC, INAC, INASE, INALE, IPA, UAM, as well as the INIA GRAS, INUMET and DINAGUA (Ministry of the Environment).
The rains recorded last week were very variable, generating a diversity of impacts between areas, sectors and producers with greater vulnerabilities. The Southern region is the most complicated due to the lack of water and are the departments of Canelones, Colonia, Florida, Lavalleja, Maldonado, Montevideo, Rocha and San José. So far, the most affected sectors are livestock production, horticulture and agriculture.
First set of measures, for immediate implementation:
-The January expiration of the rural employer contribution to the BPS will be postponed,
-Grazing will be authorized in the strip adjacent to national routes and rural roads,
– The Agricultural Plan Institute and the Procría program are providing technical support and dissemination of good practices so that livestock producers can face the current situation of water deficit,
– The National Colonization Institute is facilitating credits and investments in water for settler producers,
– Credits from República Microfinanzas will be made available,
– A specific BROU line will be made available to face the consequences of the water deficit,
– Active participation in inter-institutional coordination for the supply of water for human consumption and family production (with OSE and the municipalities),
– Agreement with DINAGUA to facilitate the procedures before the Ministry of Environment for the registration and authorization of water delivery (wells).
Additionally, other specific economic support measures for family producers in the most critical situations are being evaluated and designed.
Beyond the current situation, the MGAP and public institutions have been moving forward to address the risks of drought in the medium and long term. This refers to:
– Promote investments in water for animal and plant production as a State policy:
-National Strategy for Irrigation Development
– Call “Water for family production”
– Call 2026 “Water for the farm”
– Tax benefits through COMAP for the management of water for agricultural use.
– Strengthen agricultural insurance,
– Promote the incorporation of technologies and management practices for drought risk management,
– Advance in the design and implementation of a specific drought protocol.
