Optimize water use for rice irrigation

This case study is part of decarbonization best practices shared with ABinBev Eclipse sustainability program’s community. Discover more about the Eclipse here.

Sustainable production models

Adecoagro fosters economic growth through sustainable food production and renewable energy generation, guided by the principles of efficiency and environmental stewardship. The company’s Environmental Policy states a commitment to preventing water pollution and promoting the responsible use of this essential resource.

The company also faces significant decarbonization challenges within its rice production operations, particularly related to water consumption and the greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy consumption for irrigation:

• High water consumption: Rice cultivation is inherently water-intensive, and Adecoagro has noted that up to

  84% of its rice fields were irrigated using advanced water management technologies in 2023 (100% of their own rice fields).

• Greenhouse gas emissions: Traditional rice farming methods contribute to methane emissions, requiring improved water management practices to mitigate these impacts.

• Energy dependency: The reliance on fossil fuels for irrigation and milling processes leads to elevated Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions.

• Soil health and carbon dynamics: Practices that degrade soil health limit the potential for carbon sequestration, reinforcing the need for sustainable soil management practices.

In light of these challenges, Adecoagro is committed to adopting effective strategies that enhance sustainability and efficiency in rice production, aligning with its broader goal of reducing its carbon footprint and promoting environmental stewardship.

Integrated water management in rice cultivation

• Adecoagro has implemented an integrated water management system that significantly reduces water consumption while lowering emissions associated with rice cultivation.

Adoption of precision irrigation technologies

• Precision leveling and controlled slope: these technologies enhance water distribution across the fields, allowing for optimal irrigation while reducing water consumption up to 30% (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Precision Leveling: 40,000 ha. Drone image of Adecoagro’s rice fields with precision leveling irrigation technology

• Polypipes irrigation: This method uses polyethylene tubes to transport water efficiently, minimizing losses and energy consumption (Figure 2).

Figure 2: Image of polyethylene polypipes distributing water in a rice field, facilitating efficient and controlled irrigation.

Wide-scale implementation

• In 2023, 84% of Adecoagro's rice fields were irrigated using precision leveling and polypipes technologies, with 100% implementation in company-owned fields. This demonstrates a significant commitment to efficient water use.

Tailored water flow management

• The company differentiates water flows based on the various growth stages of rice crop, ensuring each stage receives the appropriate amount of water, optimizing the overall resource use.

Automated technologies for higher efficiency

• IoT nodes: These devices monitor water levels in the fields, providing real-time data to ensure the pumping rate is sufficient for precise irrigation without wasting water (IoT – Internet of Things).

• Buoys and levels: These instruments create a continuous, low-loss irrigation system that efficiently maintains the necessary water levels.

Satellite imagery for quick detection

• Satellite images are employed to identify irrigation issues, such as insufficient or excess water levels in rice fields, allowing prompt intervention to prevent wasting resources.

Weather forecasting integration

• Meteorological forecasts are used to monitor precipitation, enabling the activation of irrigation and drainage protocols based on expected rainfall. This proactive approach minimizes unnecessary water use.

Sustainability impact

Climate

Adecoagro’s integrated water management system targets the following greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions scopes:

Scope 1: Direct GHG emissions from owned or controlled sources. These emissions primarily come from the energy used in some irrigation systems and agricultural machinery. By optimizing irrigation through precision leveling and polypipes, the company reduces fuel consumption leading to lower Scope 1 emissions. With the implemented technologies the emissions from diesel-powered pumps are much lower than they would be with conventional irrigation systems.

• Polypipes/Precision leveling: 91 kgCO2e/ha (18% reduction vs conventional)

These initiatives also contribute to better irrigation management, leading as well to a more controlled irrigation calendar scheme with a potential to reduce further GHG emissions.

Scope 2: Indirect GHG emissions from the purchased electricity consumed by the company. As efficient irrigation technologies reduce energy consumption, these indirectly decrease Scope 2 emissions associated with the electricity used for pumping and operating irrigation systems.

For the pumps that operate on electricity supplied by the grid, these technologies achieve the following reduction in emissions when compared to conventional irrigation:

• Polypipes: 36 kgCO2e/ha (35% reduction)

• Precision leveling: 46 kgCO2e/ha (44% reduction)

Electricity-powered pumps account for 75% of irrigation emissions. These pumps are used for irrigation in 85% of rice production hectares.

To assess emissions reduction from these technologies a hypothetical scenario is presented:

100% conventional irrigation: Emissions are calculated as if all hectares were irrigated using conventional methods.

Current scenario (with three irrigation types): Emissions are calculated based on the actual hectares under each of the three current irrigation methods (precision-leveling, polypipes and conventional).

The reduction in emissions is calculated by comparing the current situation to the 100% conventional irrigation scenario. This results in a 36% decrease of GHG emissions (Scope 1 and 2). In addition, with the company’s current scenario,irrigation technologies represent 18% of Scope 2 emissions (electric pumps) and 1% of Scope 1 emissions (diesel-powered pumps). When considering the hypothetical 100% conventional irrigation scheme, irrigation emissions represent 30% of Scope 2 and 1% of Scope 1 emissions. This comparison highlights the reduction in GHG emissions achieved when adopting efficient irrigation technologies.

Adecoagro does not disclose Scope 3 emissions for its rice business yet.

* GHG emissions reduction estimated based on average electricity and fuel consumption per irrigation technology and considering the Argentine emission factors for electricity (0.24 tCO2e/MWh) and gasoil combustion (2.54 kgCO2eq/l)

Nature

Adecoagro’s integrated water management system aims to reduce water consumption in rice cultivation, leading to several positive environmental impacts related specifically to water conservation and ecosystem health:

Conservation of freshwater resources

• Reduced withdrawal from water sources: By implementing technologies like precision leveling and polypipes, Adecoagro has significantly decreased water use up to 30%. This reduction reduces pressure on local rivers and aquifers, allowing a more sustainable freshwater resource management.

• Sustainable water availability: By conserving water, these systems ensure that there is sufficient supply for other ecological and human needs, promoting a balanced water cycle in the region.

Social

Community engagement and training: Adecoagro prioritizes engagement with local communities and provides training to its own employees to effectively develop and implement these advanced technologies. By investing in workforce development, the company provides the employees with the skills needed to operate and maintain innovative irrigation systems, enhancing their employability and fostering a culture of sustainability within the organization. This collaborative approach promotes knowledge-sharing and innovation in sustainable agricultural practices.

Enhanced water security: Efficient use of water not only ensures that rice production remains sustainable but also contributes to local water security, benefiting surrounding communities that rely on the same water sources.

Economic opportunities: The adoption of innovative technologies and sustainable practices creates direct job opportunities and supports the local supply chain, benefiting communities of local suppliers. This fosters economic development, enhances livelihoods, and strengthens the entire ecosystem surrounding the project, from technology implementation to ongoing management and monitoring.

Business impact

Benefits

Operational efficiency: Precision leveling flattens fields, ensuring uniform water distribution. This precision minimizes manual adjustments and optimizes irrigation efficiency.

Cost savings (1): Together, polypipes and precision leveling reduce water and energy costs. Precision leveling alone lowers costs by 28%, and polypipes add a further 15% cost reduction compared to conventional methods.

Enhanced productivity: Field employees spend less time adjusting irrigation, being able to allocate their time to other activities. Automation also reduces monitoring demands, helping to focus on crop quality.

Equipment longevity: Reduced water and energy demands lead to less use of equipment on irrigation systems, extending asset life and minimizing maintenance costs.

(1) For this analysis, costs considered include labor, field preparation, harvesting process and electricity consumption.

Costs

Polypipe irrigation technology shows a 15% reduction in costs compared to conventional irrigation. Additionally, precision leveling reduces costs by 28%, further enhancing the economic benefits of adopting these more efficient irrigation technologies, especially for large-scale operations where irrigation expenses are significant.

Impact beyond sustainability and business

Co-benefits

Equity and inclusion: By enhancing water management practices, Adecoagro contributes to equitable access to water resources for both agricultural and community needs. This fosters a fairer distribution of water, particularly benefiting small local farmers and communities who rely on shared water sources.

1. Community resilience: Improved water management and food security contribute to the overall resilience of communities. By ensuring stable crop yields, these technologies support local economies, reducing vulnerability to economic shocks and enhancing community well-being.

2. Capacity building: The training programs for Adecoagro’s employees and local community members not only develop technical skills but also empower individuals, promoting leadership and knowledge sharing. This investment in human capital can lead to a more skilled workforce and improved community engagement.

Potential side-effects

Displacement of traditional practices: The introduction of advanced technologies may inadvertently marginalize traditional agricultural practices and knowledge.

Increased dependency on technology: Relying on advanced technologies for irrigation may create dependency among farmers, making them vulnerable to technological failures or maintenance challenges.

Typical business profile

• Agriculture sector: Companies focused on rice production, particularly rice and staple crop producers, can greatly benefit from improved water efficiency, addressing water scarcity challenges. Sustainable agriculture firms committed to eco-friendly practices will find these technologies are aligned with their goals of reducing the environmental impact.

• Food and beverage industry: Processing and packaging companies involved in the rice business can enhance their production efficiency and sustainability through a stable supply of raw materials.

Approach

• Step 1: To implement an efficient water management system, begin by evaluating current water use through a comprehensive audit of irrigation practices and energy consumption. This helps to identify inefficiencies and assess their economic impact.

• Step 2: Analyze costs and benefits by considering initial investment versus expected savings from technologies like precision leveling, which can reduce water use up to 30%. Choosing between precision leveling and polypipes requires careful consideration of field slope. Precision leveling can involve significant ground movement, which may make it more complex and costly to implement on a hilly farm. This technology may be more efficient and easier to deploy on flatter terrains.

• Step 3: Once the evaluation is complete, integrate the most suitable technologies, ensuring stakeholder training for successful implementation. This approach maximizes both water savings and operational efficiency.

• Step 4: After implementation, continuously monitor field performance using IoT nodes, buoys, and satellite imagery. These tools provide real-time data on water levels, soil moisture, and irrigation patterns, enabling quick adjustments to maximize system performance. Regular monitoring helps identify any emerging issues early on and supports ongoing optimization of water use across different field conditions (Figure 3).

Figure 4: Satellite image combining buoy and level technology, showing the current status of the fields

Stakeholders involved

Internal Stakeholders

The key internal stakeholders include the teams of:

• Project leads

• Procurement

• Operations

• Sustainability

• Human Resources

• Management

• Leadership

Additionally, the machinery for zero-level irrigation is owned and operated by the company internally, which plays a crucial role in the implementation.

External Stakeholders

External stakeholders involved include:

• Suppliers

• Service Providers

• Technology Providers

• Consultants

Who provided the necessary resources, expertise, and support for the project.

Key parameters to consider

• High initial costs: Technologies like precision leveling, polypipes, and IoT systems require significant upfront investment, which may be a barrier for smaller operations. Overcoming this can involve accessing government subsidies, environmental grants, or forming partnerships with technology providers offering flexible payment plans.

• Technical constraints: Integrating advanced tools such as drones and satellite imagery requires specialized knowledge, reliable internet, and understanding of agronomy. Companies should invest in training and establish a support network for technical assistance.

• Resistance to change: Shifting from traditional to modern irrigation practices can face resistance from employees. Involve staff early in the process, provide clear demonstrations, and showcase success stories through pilot projects to build confidence and ensure adoption.

• Timeline considerations: Precision leveling technology currently requires about one year for implementation across 6,000 to 7,000 hectares, including economic analysis, topographic field measurements, and leveling with machinery. On the other hand, polypipes technology is faster to deploy, as it involves quickly laying out the tubing in the field; based on their experience, this process takes about 3 to 4 months to complete.

Implementation and operations tips

• Project phases and rollout: Implement the project in stages, starting with ensuring proper leveling. Use QGIS (Quantum GIS) to design irrigation systems based on field topography and incorporating lessons from international examples to guide the implementation.

• Field-level tailoring: Adjust the size of irrigation pipes (polypipes) and the system setup according to the field size. Using QGIS mapping, the layout of the irrigation system, including the length of pipes and the positioning of gates, can be optimized to ensure efficient water distribution across the entire field.

• Ensuring leveling and operational adjustments: Regular monitoring of leveling and irrigation is necessary. For this reason, the use of sensors or GPS for precise control and uniform water distribution is fundamental.

• Learning from international experience: Apply insights from countries with similar irrigation systems to address local challenges, such as soil variability or water scarcity, optimizing practices to fit local conditions.