Management of Water Resources and Irrigated Agriculture in Brazil

Abstract

Water resources management in Brazil had a substantial quality improvement during the last 30 years. During that period, a multi-objective public administration point of view was established, which had led to: (a) environmental, social and economic sustainability; (b) compatibility among public institutions and public laws; and (c) new set of policies to promote people’s participation. Water resources management law (9,433/1997) and the creation of the National Water Agency (Agencia Nacional de Aguas) are benchmarks of this period. A share water resources management organization is a social challenge due to the fact that public financial resources becomes diluted as population grows, environmental problems increase and the world’s economic crises amplify its consequences. Brazil being a commodities producer could benefit from the world economic crises and the global warming tendency, considering its geographic extension and location. Facing this dilemma, how the Brazilian society will confront new water resources demands in the near future? This is the challenge set to public policies decision takers.