Water is the most important element for life; it is of vital importance for human beings and all living beings that inhabit our planet. This is why the care of water is a priority worldwide, because although 70% of the planet is indeed covered with water, less than 3% of it is “freshwater”, i.e., suitable for human consumption, agriculture, livestock, industry, and the development of the flora and fauna of our planet.

Water is the source and sustenance of life, contributes to regulating the world’s climate, and shapes the planet with its power. It has unique properties that make it essential for life; it is considered a finite renewable resource.

Without water, no form of life is possible; that is nothing more and nothing less than the importance of this vital element.

Although the total amount of water present on the planet remains relatively constant over time, its availability is particularly vulnerable to climate change. Scientists predict that access to safe drinking water could be reduced in the coming century as glaciers melt and droughts become more frequent. This will in turn reduce the water available for irrigation and food production, significantly affecting the agricultural sector.

Bearing in mind that water is a scarce resource and that agriculture is an indispensable activity for life itself, it is necessary to raise awareness of the need to manage water as efficiently as possible. Therefore, we would like to share with you some measures that we can take to achieve efficient water use in our facilities:

• Consider the efficient use of water for different crops.
• Choose the most efficient and adequate irrigation system to satisfy the needs of the crop. In this sense, drip irrigation systems consume much less water than surface irrigation and can achieve the same performance.
• Adjust irrigation rates to the actual needs of the crop at any given time.
• Choose the time of irrigation to avoid water evaporation, for example, it is preferable to irrigate in the early morning or late afternoon, or even in the evening, rather than at midday.
• Avoid water losses due to runoff and infiltration beyond the reach of the roots.
• Adjust the use of fertilizers to the real needs of the crop and manage them adequately so that there are no losses due to leaching.
• Avoid water loss due to poorly closed or damaged taps and/or water valves. Keep in mind that some studies establish that a single dripping water valve can lose up to 80 liters of water per day or 2400 liters per month, which is equivalent to 28,800 liters per year.
• Use water-efficient devices (water valves, toilets, among others).
• Immediately repair any broken drains or leaks/damage to drinking water facilities, no matter how small the loss (implement the “zero leakage” policy).
• Water roads and plants after sunset to avoid water evaporation and make better use of water for soil humidification.
• Permanently promote/raise awareness among personnel and their families about the importance of proper use and care of water.

SAVE THE WATER, DON’T CONTAMINATE IT!

Water sources are very important.

Remember that drinking water can become contaminated before it is used,

by inadequate and unsafe hygiene practices.

Avoiding the waste of drinking water is a social responsibility that is a matter of everyone’s responsibility. For this reason, in the Veggies from Mexico community, we work in collaboration with the growers to contribute with a grain of sand to our planet, promoting and implementing programs for the rational use of water.

Elvia Rosa Martínez Bueno – Internal Auditor of Veggies From Mexico