06.09.2024
Innovative Water Management Solutions aim to mitigate floods and droughts, securing food production in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Latin America and The Caribbean. As the world faces the escalating effects of climate change, regions such as Latin America and the Caribbean are confronted with unprecedented weather challenges. The Wilo Group, a global leader in water management solutions, aim to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on agriculture and food security.
The Climate Crisis: Heavy Precipitation, Floods, and Droughts
In 2023, Latin America and the Caribbean experienced severe weather events that devastated communities and agriculture alike. Heavy rains, often intensified by El Niño, caused catastrophic flooding and landslides across the region. In the Dominican Republic, for example, a record single-day rainfall of 431.0 mm fell in Arroyo Hondo Viejo on November 8, while the Brazilian state of São Paulo recorded a deluge of 683 mm of rain in just 15 hours, causing devastating flooding and landslides in the São Sebastião area.
Meanwhile, droughts caused by La Niña in early 2023 and El Niño later in the year have plagued vast areas, including most of Mexico, central Chile, the Altiplano, and the Amazon. These severe droughts have led to significant precipitation deficits and recurrent heat waves, further stressing water resources and agricultural productivity.
Agriculture and Food Security at Risk
The impact of these climatic extremes on agriculture has been profound, with 13.8 million people in the region facing severe food insecurity. Small- and medium-sized farms have been particularly affected, with El Niño conditions leading to prolonged droughts and insufficient rainfall in Central America and northern South America. The climate-related impacts favored by La Niña in the 2022/2023 harvest and by El Niño in the following cycle caused losses estimated at $550 million.
Combatting Climate Change Impacts
In response to these challenges, the Wilo Group is committed to providing innovative water management solutions to strengthen water, agricultural resilience and food security. Our commitment is exemplified by strategic projects that demonstrate our global and local capabilities.
Discover two of our most recent projects in Latin America:
Costa Rica & Guatemala
Wilo has been instrumental for projects in Costa Rica and Guatemala for farming giant Fresh Del Monte by providing essential pumping solutions for pineapple cultivation. The Wilo-Atmos GIGA-N, Vertical Turbine VTP, WF8MC, and WF10MC solutions have optimized irrigation and water management, ensuring efficient water supply to maintain high-quality and productive pineapple harvests.
Argentina
In Argentina, Wilo has supported a project at the Finca Sicre Bergerat by supplying solar-powered submersible pumps for peach production. The Wilo-Xiro SPI pumps deliver efficient raw water intake and supply, optimizing irrigation and contributing to a successful and eco-friendly peach harvest.
Discover how our technologies can make a difference to the future of your business on our website and in our new product catalog!