Sustainable and resilient exploitation of small alluvial aquifers in the Brazilian semi-arid region

Abstract

The Brazilian semi-arid (BSA) region faces severe problems with droughts and rural poverty. Through the use of small alluvial aquifers, traditional diffusive communities in the region are capable of increasing their resilience to drought and generating sustainable income. This chapter discusses the importance of such aquifers by presenting the experience of Sumé. It comprises an irrigated perimeter (IP) that has been supplied by the alluvial aquifer exploitation for more than 30 years. The Sumé IP was previously supplied by a large reservoir. However, such water supply was interrupted and farmers began to exploit groundwater from the small alluvial aquifer to keep irrigating. With the reduction in water supply, farmers had to adapt the food production and irrigation methods. Thus, food production in the Sumé IP has become resilient and less vulnerable to droughts and climate change. Appropriate technologies were developed in the region, such as underground dams and “duck bill” wells to support aquifer exploitation and therefore, reduce hunger, and increase wealth production and local trade. We expect that our findings call attention to the opportunities on the strategic use of the small alluvial aquifers spread over BSA region and other small and neglected aquifers around the world.