Agricultural water management developments in Minas Gerais

In Minas Gerais, Brazil, the Minas Gerais Cotton Producers Association (AMIPA) is testing subsurface drip irrigation technology in partnership with Netafim. The pilot project, located on an experimental farm in the Cerrado region, aims to optimize water and input use, improve field management, and increase crop predictability. By delivering water and fertilizers directly to the root zone, the system seeks to reduce losses from evaporation and leaching while enhancing nutritional efficiency.

The project utilizes the GrowSphere digital farming platform to monitor soil moisture and microclimatic variables in real time. This digital integration is intended to provide technical data to help regional producers adopt more sustainable and efficient irrigation practices.

Separately, the National Water and Sanitation Agency (ANA) has authorized Santa Vitória Açúcar e Álcool Ltda to perform water abstraction for irrigation in Santa Vitória. The authorization allows water to be drawn from the São Simão Hydroelectric Plant reservoir. This regulatory measure is designed to ensure operational security for sugarcane crops during dry periods while maintaining strict limits on volume and flow to protect the local ecosystem and regional water supply.