The Association of Agro-industrial Producers of Piura (APAG - Piura) has issued a statement expressing its concern about the water deficit in the northern region of Peru, which compromises approximately 50,000 hectares dedicated to export agriculture. The water shortage affects key crops such as grapes, mangoes, lemons, bananas, blueberries, coffee, avocado, passion fruit, and strawberries, among others.
Currently, the Poechos reservoir has a reserve of only 115 million cubic meters (MMC), a situation attributed to an all-time low of inflows during a year of extraordinary drought. APAG - Piura warns that Poechos may soon stop supplying water to agriculture, and will only cover primary and population needs.
According to APAG - Piura, this crisis could have been avoided if the authorities in charge of the reservoir had managed the water resource professionally. Lack of foresight could result in millions in losses, a significant reduction in production, and unemployment for tens of thousands of formal agribusiness workers.
Agribusiness is vital to Piura's economy, contributing 13.2% of regional GDP and generating direct and indirect formal employment. One in four Pyurans depends on agriculture, with a peak of 280,000 formal jobs during the campaign months.
Finally, APAG – Piura asked the National Water Authority to prioritize the use of water for the population, livestock, and permanent crops per the Water Resources Law (Law 29338). This measure seeks to mitigate the effects of the water crisis and ensure an efficient distribution of available resources.
Source: agraria.pe