Nature-based solutions to increase agricultural water availability: 2nd ROSA Project Seminar

Last Wednesday, May 29, ECLAC carried out the Second Seminar of the Network and Observatory Project for Water Sustainability (ROSA), focused on opportunities to implement Nature-based Solutions (NBS) to increase agricultural water availability. This event allowed the socialization of the ECLAC study in development on NbS in the context of the Chilean Irrigation Promotion Law and facilitated the exchange of experiences between the participating countries.

The ROSA Seminar, led by Dr. Silvia Saravia Matus, Economic Affairs Officer of the Water and Energy Unit of the Natural Resources Division of ECLAC, aimed to learn about the experiences of the countries in the matter and the opportunities for the establishment of NbS in each context and, on the other hand, socialize the study “Identification of nature-based solutions to increase agricultural water availability in the context of the Chilean Irrigation Promotion Law” that ECLAC is carrying out in the framework of the modifications to the Irrigation Promotion Law of Chile, as an example of relevant practices in the region, with the potential to be replicated and shared in other countries.

Ms. Alba Llavona, Regional Expert on Water Resources at ECLAC, presented the study as the beginning of a dialogue between ECLAC, the National Irrigation Commission (CNR), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO ), the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile (PUC), the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and the representatives of the ROSA countries. It began with a brief introduction to the Irrigation Law and its modifications with a focus on the need to define and prioritize NbS that, effectively, can be subsidized by the Law. The presentation continued with the methodology of the study which consisted of an analysis of the Irrigation Promotion Law of Chile, an extensive review of literature on NBS, a characterization of the NBS identified along with the definition of criteria for the selection of NBS eligible for subsidy by the Law of

Irrigation, and finally, the results and next steps of the study. The presentation concluded with expert recommendations on the study and general recommendations on NbS.

The representatives of the CNR, Ms. Tania Fernández, Head of the Irrigation Promotion Department and Ms. María Jesús Llambias, Policy Unit Professional, highlighted the importance of NbS within the framework of the Irrigation Promotion Law, which has evolved to include NBS irrigation projects so that they are not limited to the installation of works, but rather their use and purpose for human well-being and biodiversity, opening new opportunities for water and food security, and adapting to the challenges of climate change. Finally, they mentioned certain challenges in the implementation of the Law, such as the need to motivate farmers to apply for NbS projects or to train consultants to design these projects.

On the other hand, representatives from the founding countries of ROSA participated to share national experiences around this topic:

• Panama: Ms. Mayela Guiteria Cortez, Coordinator and Monitoring Liaison for Water and Sanitation Projects of the Ministry of the Presidency, highlighted initiatives such as microreservoirs for commercial agriculture and multipurpose reservoirs, as well as the Authority’s environmental economic incentives program. of the Panama Canal.
• The Savior: Mr. Jorge Castaneda, President of the Salvadoran Water Authority (ASA), presented the La Reina Chalatenango project, which uses NBS to harness rainwater, promoting a circular economy and permaculture.
• Dominican Republic: Mr. Juan Francisco Saldaña, Director of Planning for Institutional Development of the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (INDRHI), spoke about payment for environmental services in water producing basins and other projects that seek to improve agricultural water availability through NbS.
• Plurinational State of Bolivia: Mr. Daniel Estrada, Environmental Specialist of the Resilient Bolivia Program in the Face of Climate Risks and Mr. Mario Tames, Head of Risk Management of the Vice Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, presented the Plurinational Water Resources Plan and the “Lucho” program. for a Climate Smart and Resilient Bolivia” of the Ministry of Environment and Water, focused on NbS to improve the integrated management of water resources and resilience to climate variability.

The seminar culminated with the participation of regional experts in water resources, such as Mr. Adrián Rodríguez, Head of the Agricultural Development Unit of ECLAC; Mr. Hombray Taylor, Coordinator of the IICA Water and Agriculture Initiative; Mr. Luiz Beduschi, FAO Senior Rural Development Policy Officer; and Mr. Guillermo Donoso, Professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics of the PUC. The exchange revolved around reflecting on the challenges and opportunities of NbS in the region, highlighting the need to adjust policies and incentives, improve training and promote multidisciplinary collaboration to ensure the effective adoption of these solutions.

The audience showed great interest in the topic and positively valued the session, highlighting the relevance of these meetings to highlight NbS at the regional level. Dr. Silvia Saravia Matus concluded the seminar by affirming ECLAC’s commitment to continue working on the study and collaborating with the CNR and the ROSA countries to promote the use of NbS, thus contributing to more sustainable and resilient development in the region.