Dinámica multicausal de la escasez hídrica. El caso de Nonogasta, La Rioja, Argentina

In January 2023 the main source of irrigation water for Nonogasta farmers reached historic lows in its flow. To analyse and understand the problem, we applied a heterodox methodological combination of techniques from agrarian social studies and hydrological and hydrogeological studies that included instances of review of the results with farmers in order to delineate a dialogue of knowledge around the multi-causality of water scarcity. Our results show that water conflicts are mainly anchored in the development of extractive policies that do not consider the sustainability of hydrogeological systems. This has been evidenced by small farmers who state the lack of planning as the critical point of the current situation. Hydrological and hydrogeological data put this scenario in numbers and raise questions about the future of water in Nonogasta and the need to reorient its management.