(392a) Optimizing Water Exchange Networks in Agriculture to Contribute to the Sustainable Development Goal of Zero Hunger

Food security is one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century and it has been included in the 2030 Agenda as the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 “Zero Hunger”. This goal seeks to eradicate hunger and ensure equitable access to nutritious food for the entire population [1]. Nowadays agriculture, which is the main source of food production, faces increasing constraints due to water scarcity, climate change, and inefficient water management practices. All these factors, along with the high cost of inefficient agricultural practices, limit agricultural productivity in many regions of the world, especially those with a high incidence of poverty and malnutrition. In Mexico, the state of Guanajuato is known as the granary of the country due to the importance of its agricultural production. However, in recent years, water scarcity and inefficient water management practices have affected negatively the production of food and other agricultural products making everyday consumer products more expensive and increasing social inequality. This work proposes an optimization approach to generate an efficient water distribution scheme along the productive zones of Guanajuato, since by addressing the inefficiency of irrigation systems it is possible to increase crop yields and reduce production costs. [2]. This work is aimed at developing strategic planning for the efficient use and distribution of water resources in the region, to ensure food production considering water availability.

A mixed integer multiperiod nonlinear programming model designed to optimize agricultural water networks and fertilizer use is proposed. The model is based on an innovative superstructure that integrates multiple options for resource utilization, recycling, regeneration, and storage, enhancing agricultural resilience and productivity [3] while maximizing net profit and minimizing environmental impact, boosting farmer´s economics and reducing the footprint of food production.

Profit is calculated as the revenue from crop sales minus capital and operational costs associated with freshwater usage, fertilizers, storage, piping, pumping, and water treatment. The environmental impact is assessed using the Eco-indicator 99 methodology, evaluating key factors such as global warming, acidification and eutrophication. A case study from the Mexican state of Guanajuato was analyzed using this model. The case considers twelve parcels cultivating four corn crops, four bean crops, two wheat crops, and two alfalfa crops, requiring seventeen irrigation periods. These crops are essential staples in local and global food systems, directly supporting food security efforts. The operational, economic, and design parameters reflect real-world conditions in Guanajuato, and the results are visualized through Pareto diagrams. These diagrams help identify the optimal balance between profitability and environmental responsibility ultimately contributing to sustainable agricultural practices that align with the Zero Hunger goal.

References

[1]. Rahmah, F. A., Nurlaela, N., Anugrah, R., & Putri, Y. A. R. (2024). Safe food treatment technology: The key to realizing the sustainable development goals (SDGs) zero hunger and optimal health. ASEAN Journal of Agriculture and Food Engineering, 3(1), 57-66.

[2]. López-Flores, F. J., Cervantes-Gaxiola, M. E., Hernández-Calderón, O. M., Ponce-Ortega, J. M., Ortiz-del-Castillo, J. R., & Rubio-Castro, E. (2025). Comprehensive crop allocation model: Balancing profitability, environmental impact, and occupational health. Computers & Chemical Engineering, 194, 108996.

[3]. Núñez-López, J. M., Hernández-Calderón, O. M., Ponce-Ortega, J. M., Cervantes-Gaxiola, M. E., & Rubio-Castro, E. (2018). Optimal design of sustainable agricultural water networks. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 7(1), 440-457.