Taking into account the vulnerability of the geographic valley of the Cauca River to different climatic phenomena, such as the El Niño Phenomenon that has been felt intensely in the first quarter of 2024, the sugarcane agroindustrial sector is implementing a series of actions and measures to contribute to the preservation of water resources, prioritizing human consumption.

With an investment of more than $1.500 billion from Asocaña; the Sugar Cane Research Center, Cenicaña; the Water for Life and Sustainability Fund of sugar mills and water user associations, a hydrological monitoring network constantly connected to the Internet was installed, which allows the flow of 10 rivers in the geographic valley of the Cauca River.

This monitoring is the first in Valle del Cauca connected through the Internet of Things, with equipment such as rain gauges and antennas that allow the transfer of data in real time and with constant connection, information that is not only valuable for water user associations. in the region, but can also be used by local administrations and risk management entities to make timely and informed decisions.

“With this prevention, monitoring and early warning system, water user associations will be able to know in real time if the river's flow has increased or decreased, if its ecological flow is being affected or if we are close to an emergency. In the case of farmers, this information complements the actions they carry out for the efficient and responsible use of water resources, that is, using the necessary amount, at the right time," explained Claudia Calero, president of Asocaña, who stressed that all these measures give priority to the use of water for human consumption.

The investments made by the agribusiness in the last year also allowed us to identify which areas of the geographic valley of the Cauca River have the most water vulnerability, as well as achieving, together with the environmental authority, the signing of 22 collaborative agreements for water between communities, which include farmers from the region with the aim of establishing strategies such as irrigation shifts in critical moments due to low river levels.

Likewise, through the Water for Life and Sustainability Fund of the sugar mills, work is being done with local aqueducts and small producers in the upper part of the department, with the aim of reducing water losses due to damage to their supply mechanisms. driving.

In this way, from the sugarcane agroindustry we reaffirm our commitment to the efficient use of natural resources and actions to mitigate the effects of climate change, as well as protect the environment.