Farmers' perceptions of the use of treated wastewater in agriculture in Chihuahua

Resumen

Objective: To characterize the farmers of the Tabalaopa-Aldama region in Chihuahua, Mexico, and assess their perceptions regarding the use of treated wastewater (TWW) in agriculture.

Design/methodology/approach: A structured questionnaire was developed and administered to 53 producers from the agricultural sectors of Tabalaopa, Los Leones, and Aldama, in Chihuahua, Mexico. A convenience sampling method was employed for respondent selection, and the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results: The farmers were primarily engaged in the cultivation of forage crops and pecan trees, utilizing gravity irrigation systems. Irrigation water sources included wells and TWW supplied by the South Wastewater Treatment Plant, which processes domestic wastewater from the city of Chihuahua. Farmers recognized the benefits of using TWW, such as reduced production costs due to lower chemical fertilizer usage and energy savings in water extraction. While 64.2% of farmers expressed interest in using TWW, only 17% indicated willingness to exchange their groundwater concessions.

Study limitations/implications: Although a statistically estimated sample size was considered, the study only covered 21.5% of the total farmer population. Future studies should aim to expand the sample size and enhance data collection through discussion forums and participatory workshops involving relevant stakeholders.

Findings/conclusions: Farmers acknowledge the advantages of TWW and are motivated to use it; however, they are reluctant to trade their groundwater concessions due to the absence of a regulatory legal framework.