Políticas públicas hídricas e acesso à água no Perímetro Irrigado Sabugi (Caicó/RN)

Abstract

The Sabugi Irrigated Perimeter, situated in the rural area of Caicó (Rio Grande do Norte – Brazil) is a federally funded irrigation project established in the 1970s by the National Department of Works Against Droughts (DNOCS). Originally, it aimed to settle farmers and implement irrigation systems to support irrigated production. However, due to state neglect, water scarcity, and subsequent interruptions in public policies, this area currently faces significant challenges in water access. The primary objective of this study was to analyze the implementation and effectiveness of public water policies in the Sabugi Irrigated Perimeter from 1970 to 2024. Specific goals included: characterizing water access and public policies in the Semi-Arid region, describing the implementation process of public water policies in the Sabugi Irrigated Perimeter, and investigating water access conditions in the study area. A qualitative methodology was designed to achieve this, involving three main activities: i) literature review, ii) collection and organization of secondary data, and iii) fieldwork. Results indicate a notable improvement in water infrastructure within the Sabugi Irrigated Perimeter but also highlight issues related to access to water for human, residential, and agricultural purposes. Concerning human and residential usage, water quality is questionable, and supply is irregular. In the farm sector, challenges related to quantity and regularity of water availability are prominent. The implementation of public policies tailored to the semi-arid region, along with the development of social water technologies such as cisterns, has improved access to water for human consumption. Despite advancements toward sustainable and higher-quality access over the past two decades, the study concludes that numerous challenges persist in ensuring equitable and sustainable water access in the Sabugi Irrigated Perimeter for human, residential, and agricultural uses.