“We provided administrative and technical assistance to Peru’s Ministry of Agriculture for the lining of these important irrigation channels,” said IICA’s Representative in Peru, Freddy Rojas. The canals, which supply water for crops in the area, had not received proper maintenance for nearly 30 years.
The project was executed and co-financed with community support, through the Chongoyape Irrigation Committee and the Board of Users of the Chancay Lambayeque Irrigation District (JUDRCHL).
According to Rojas, 80% of Peru’s agricultural activity takes place in coastal areas that produce only 5% of the nation’s water. “There is a great deal of farming activity but water is scarce,” he said.
Each of the new irrigation canals is three kilometers long. They are expected to increase agricultural yields in the area by supplying more water and reducing losses from seepage.
The improvements were carried out by the firm CVJ Contratistas Generales SRL, following a public bidding process managed by IICA in which representatives of the beneficiary communities participated as observers.
The Department of Lambayeque is the second most densely populated regional district in Peru.
For more information, contact
freddy.rojas@iica.int