The Ministry of Agricultural Development and Irrigation (MIDAGRI) announced on April 1 that it has started emergency interventions in the district of Awajún and the province of Rioja, both located in the San Martín region. The initiative involves an investment of more than S/ 2.7 million and aims to recover irrigation infrastructure and protect over 2,600 hectares of farmland, benefiting more than 1,200 producers.
These actions are important because they seek to safeguard agricultural production threatened by recent increases in river flow due to heavy rains. Ensuring water supply for irrigation is crucial for local farmers who depend on these systems for their livelihoods.
During a meeting with local authorities and producers, Felipe Meza, Minister of Agricultural Development and Irrigation, announced the start of recovery works at the El Milagro canal intake structure. This facility was rendered inoperative after flooding from the Naranjillo River caused a dike collapse. “You have MIDAGRI’s support. We are allocating more than 1.5 million soles to protect the river channel, prevent floods, and mitigate impacts on farmland and farming families,” Meza said.
The intervention in Awajún includes building new dikes, placing rocks along riverbanks, and restoring irrigation conditions for over 1,100 producers with an investment exceeding S/ 1.5 million. In Rioja province, where increased flow from the Tonchima River has caused erosion risks to farmlands and local producers’ activities, cleaning operations will be carried out alongside dike construction and bank stabilization using rock material.
“The Tonchima River in Rioja district and province will receive preventive measures with a budget of one million two hundred thousand soles for cleaning operations to prevent overflow or flooding,” Meza said regarding this second intervention phase which benefits about 150 producers.
Both projects are being implemented by AGRO RURAL under emergency decrees issued following intense rainfall events affecting San Martín region. As part of his visit agenda in San Martín, Minister Meza also met with Alto Mayo Water Users Board representatives to strengthen cooperation with farmers aiming at improving agricultural output as well as product commercialization.
