Agricultural water management and disputes in Argentina and Mexico

Agricultural sectors in Argentina and Mexico are facing different water-related challenges. In Argentina, specialists from Inta suggest that increased water availability due to El Niño conditions offers an opportunity to optimize maize yields. Experts recommend adjusting fertilization, planting density, and sowing dates to capitalize on this potential, emphasizing the need for soil sampling to determine precise nutrient requirements.

In Mexico, a dispute is looming between the states of Tamaulipas and Nuevo León regarding water transfers. On October 31, following the conclusion of the current agricultural cycle, representatives from irrigation modules and the National Water Commission (Conagua) will review the 1996 agreement to determine if water can be transferred from the El Cuchillo dam in Nuevo León to the Marte R. Gómez dam in Tamaulipas. This issue has previously escalated into a political conflict, as seen in 2022 when Nuevo León resisted transfers to prioritize the water supply for Monterrey.