The Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation announced on May 7 the launch of 17 irrigation infrastructure projects with an investment of S/ 66.6 million, aimed at improving water use and supporting small-scale farmers in Peru.
This initiative is designed to address the effects of climate change and increase productivity among rural communities. The ministry said that ten projects have already been completed, while seven are currently under construction. In total, these works will cover about 1,600 hectares, allowing crops such as avocado, potato, quinoa, and coffee to benefit from more efficient water management.
According to the ministry, the ten finished projects have benefited 510 families across Ayacucho, Puno, Apurímac, Lima, Lambayeque, Huánuco, Cusco, Arequipa and Áncash by providing technical irrigation systems for a total area of 558 hectares. The ongoing works in Áncash, Junín, Arequipa, Huancavelica and Ayacucho are expected to add another 500 hectares for the benefit of an additional 621 families.
In addition to physical infrastructure improvements, MIDAGRI has provided technical assistance through training sessions that have reached over 500 producers so far. More than half of those trained are women. “A la fecha se han realizado 278 intervenciones de asistencia técnica… Cabe destacar que más del 50% de los participantes son mujeres,” the ministry said in its statement.
The ministry also announced plans to start two new projects soon in Piura (Huapalas) and Huancavelica (Churcampa), which will require an additional investment exceeding S/9 million and benefit another estimated 195 families.
MIDAGRI manages a portfolio of around 130 projects nationwide—74 still being developed—with a projected total investment of S/498.5 million supported partially by World Bank funding. The Ministry serves agricultural producers throughout Peru using both its central headquarters in Jesús María and decentralized offices across regions; it advances strategies for sustainable agricultural development as part of Peru’s Executive Branch according to the official website.
