Social and technological state of the management of irrigation water in Puebla, Mexico

Abstract

The efficient management of water for agriculture is important to solve water shortage. To address this situation, in 2009, small irrigation systems were analyzed in order to understand the peasant logic in technological practices and agreements on water management in the state of Puebla, Mexico. Through a statistical sample of 105 producers, information was collected through a questionnaire on social variables of the producers, infrastructure and operation of the irrigation systems. Agricultural practices such as spatial and temporal arrangements in crops, diversification, rotation, and use of the irrigation tip were identified, as well as loan and water purchase arrangements, distribution of water by shifts and works to clean the channels. It was concluded that there are successes and limitations in the logic deployed by producers to address the problems of water shortage, infrastructure and operation of irrigation systems which can serve as a basis for interventions.