Abstract

VELEZ RODRIGUEZ, Alberto; PADILLA-BERNAL, Luz E.  and  MOJARRO DAVILA, Francisco. Availability for saving water for agricultural use in Mexico: the case of aquifers from Calera and Chupaderos. Rev. Mex. Cienc. Agríc [online]. 2015, vol.6, n.2, pp.277-290. ISSN 2007-0934.

Calera and Chupaderos are two of the most overused aquifers from the drainage area of the North Central Basin; these provide water to the central part of the state of Zacatecas. Agriculture consumes 88% of the water withdrawn from aquifers. Most irrigation systems are inefficient, wasting around 40% to 60% of water. Overexploitation of aquifers threatens against the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This study was conducted to determine the willingness to accept (WTA) save water from producers, users from aquifers of Calera and Chupaderos, in exchange for a governmental, monetary or technological support. The contingent valuation method was used, obtaining information through a survey applied to a representative sample of producers. The data was processed using a probit model of multiple intervals applying the maximum likelihood estimation. Producers expressed high willingness to save farm water in exchange for new technology. This change would make possible to reduce the consumption of water in farm water without affecting the level of productivity, with the possibility of reducing pumping costs. The DAA save water per hectare was 21.2% and 22.4% for aquifers from Calera and Chupaderos, of the 6 000 m³ ha^-1 year^-1 concession. This represents a saving of 1 272 m³ ha^-1 year^-1 and 1 344 m³ ha^-1 year^-1 of water per aquifer, same that would help to meet government goals related to reduce water withdrawals for the sustainability of aquifers in the long term.

Keywords : aquifer; contingent valuation; irrigation systems.