Sheinbaum, Leading Candidate in Mexico, Aims to Reform Water-Intensive Agriculture Industry

Claudia Sheinbaum, the front-runner in Mexico’s presidential race, has unveiled a bold plan to overhaul water governance in the agriculture sector, which is the top user of the country’s scarce water supply. With a potential investment of 20 billion pesos ($1.2 billion) per year, Sheinbaum aims to address the pressing issues of water scarcity, drought, and heat waves that have been plaguing Mexico.

Julio Berdegue, a member of Sheinbaum’s campaign team focused on water and the agricultural sector, revealed that the six-year plan includes reviewing existing water concessions, cracking down on illegal water use, updating irrigation technology, and revamping the national water entity CONAGUA. This comprehensive approach is designed to ensure sustainable water management and address the challenges posed by climate change.

Sheinbaum’s plan also involves reforming the National Water Law and developing a strategy to confront the pervasive water issues in Mexico. With more than 70% of the country facing some level of drought and water shortages becoming routine, the need for action is urgent.

While the proposed changes may face challenges due to long-standing corruption and political polarization, experts believe that Sheinbaum’s background as a climate scientist and former mayor of Mexico City makes her well-equipped to tackle these issues. By the end of her six-year term, the plan aims to modernize irrigation systems, recover lost water, and stop deforestation to secure more water for agriculture and domestic use.

Overall, Sheinbaum’s ambitious water governance plan signals a significant shift towards sustainable water management in Mexico, with the potential to benefit both the environment and the agricultural sector.