Brazil irrigation potential reaches 55 million hectares

Brazil possesses approximately 10 million hectares equipped for irrigation, but official estimates suggest the country could incorporate more than 55 million additional hectares into this technology. Expanding irrigation would allow for increased production within existing occupied areas and reduce losses caused by droughts.

According to the National Water and Sanitation Agency (ANA), the additional potential includes 26.69 million hectares of rain-fed agricultural land and 26.73 million hectares of pasture. While 6 to 8 million hectares are considered more favorable for near-term incorporation, significant expansion faces hurdles including the need for high investments in reservoirs, electrical grids, water storage, and distribution infrastructure, as well as licensing and water resource management.

Data from the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) shows that 33,846 center pivots were operational in 2024, irrigating 2.2 million hectares. This technology provides critical moisture during decisive stages such as germination and flowering, increasing predictability for the agricultural supply chain.