President Boric inaugurates Chironta Reservoir, which will provide irrigation security to more than 2,000 hectares in the Arica and Parinacota Region
The new infrastructure will make it possible to better regulate and distribute the waters of the Lluta River and reduce the consequences of climatic phenomena.
As part of his tour of the Arica and Parinacota Region, President Gabriel Boric has inaugurated the Chironta Reservoir. The reservoir will make it possible to regulate and distribute the water resources of the Lluta River, and provide water security to farmers in the area. He was joined by Public Works Minister Jessica López.
The president explained that the reservoir has a capacity of 17 million cubic meters of water. It will allow irrigation of more than 2,000 hectares in the Lluta Valley, providing greater security to the communities and families that cultivate products such as corn, tomatoes, onions and beets.
“This reservoir will also better regulate and distribute the waters of the Lluta River. It will significantly reduce extreme weather events, such as floods and droughts, which are increasingly occurring due to climate change,” the president indicated.
New announcements
In addition to inaugurating the new reservoir, the president made two other announcements related to the water crisis that is affecting the country.
“We’re going to launch the Lluta Valley Plan through the National Irrigation Commission (CNR), which will be given 3 billion Chilean pesos (US$3.78 million) between 2023 and 2025, in order to substantially improve irrigation infrastructure for the entire valley. The works include technology that will make it possible to make better use of the water that will collect in this reservoir,” he stated.
President Boric also announced, “our government will invest a historic amount of 150 billion pesos (US$188 million) to develop irrigation and water efficiency in Chile during 2023. The National Irrigation Commission (CNR) and the National Institute of Agricultural Development (INDAP) will be in charge of the resources. With these resources, we will finance irrigation and drainage works for farmers, with a focus primarily on women, as well as indigenous peoples and small-scale family farming.”