Public irrigation policies: Analysis of the modernization of the Cruzeta-RN irrigated perimeter financed by the World Bank

Abstract

This study analyzes the public policy of the state of Rio Grande do Norte called the Program for Sustainable Development and Coexistence with the Potiguar Semi-Arid Region (PSP), financed by a World Bank loan, which had as its Subcomponent 3.4 the Pilot Project for the Modernization of the Irrigated Perimeter of Cruzeta-RN, implemented in 2013. The research, which took a qualitative approach, sought to understand the impacts of this policy based on the experiences and points of view of the local irrigation community. The investigation showed that, although residents recognize the importance of the perimeter and the investments made in its modernization, water scarcity, present before, during, and after the implementation of the policy, combined with the lack of maintenance and continuous management, compromised the use and functioning of the irrigation systems, resulting in the deterioration of the structures. In addition, the lack of coordination between the responsible agencies, coupled with the discontinuity of public policies, contributed to the project's ineffectiveness. The testimonies of the irrigators interviewed reinforce that drought is one of the main obstacles to effective agricultural production in the perimeter. Given this scenario, there is an urgent need for more effective public policies that are capable of considering local geographical specificities, ensuring the continuity of water management, and promoting sustainable access to water. In this sense, the study contributes to the debate on the effectiveness of irrigation policies in the northeastern Semi-Arid region, highlighting the need to integrate technical, social, and environmental dimensions in the process of formulating and implementing these actions.