Perspectives on building water management models for agriculture. Insights from small-scale avocado producers (México)

Abstract

The article explores the importance of water for agricultural production and highlights the challenges related to its scarcity under neoliberal agri-food models. To do so, it draws on empirical evidence from water usage by avocado producers from the “La Libertad” association in the municipality of Donato Guerra, State of Mexico, and proposes the construction of a Water Management Model for Agriculture. The methodology consisted of an exploratory case study, integrating quantitative and qualitative aspects to understand water management perspectives from the farmers’ point of view. It is observed that farmers are aware of the importance of protecting water sources, which could be the precursor to management proposals. It is concluded that the model has the potential to become a useful tool for water planning in rural territories.