Water-Energy-Food Nexus in the MATOPIBA Region (Brazil)

Abstract

Under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, water, energy, and food are identified as priority areas for action. The case study focuses on large irrigated agriculture projects in the MATOPIBA region and large hydroelectric power dams located in the main river basins of this agricultural frontier. Based on the Nexus approach, our main objectives were to identify potential trade-offs and synergies in the water resource usage in large agricultural complexes and the hydroelectric energy production. We collected quantitative data on water consumption by the agricultural sector, hydroelectric power generation in the main river basins, and the installation of pivots for irrigation. The results showed evident water overexploitation, namely in the São Francisco river basin, where there is the continued growth of pivots installation and where important hydroelectric plants of the SIN system are located. The agricultural sector, as the central water consumer in Brazil, was responsible in 2017 for 46.10% of the total withdrawal and 67.10% of the absolute consumption flow. In turn, the two main river basins in MATOPIBA (São Francisco and Tocantins-Araguaia) accounted in 2017 for 43% of the total share in the useful volume of SIN reservoirs. Agricultural and hydro energy sectors revealed the urgent need to review Nexus' fields of action to promote water, food, and energy security, sustainable growth, and the preservation of a resilient and productive environment. New mechanisms for dialogue and action should be established to mobilize public authorities, the private sector, and different social groups at different territorial scales and put into practice the guidelines of the Nexus approach.