Chilean agricultural sectors address water scarcity and rural support

Chilean agricultural institutions are addressing water scarcity and rural development through new strategic initiatives. The Institute for Agricultural Development (INDAP) reported that in 2025, it managed a budget of 392,345 million pesos to support 162,840 small farmers across the country. INDAP is currently focusing on rehabilitating productive units damaged by recent weather emergencies and has outlined a 2026-2030 roadmap to provide tailored support based on regional needs and farmer experience.

Simultaneously, the National Agriculture Society (SNA) is exploring desalination technology to combat desertification and water shortages in northern Chile. Representatives from the SNA visited the Econssa desalination plant in the Atacama Region to evaluate how desalinated water could expand agricultural production in arid zones. The SNA is advocating for multi-purpose desalination plants capable of supplying water to agriculture, mining, and human consumption to improve investment efficiency.