Droughts are becoming increasingly intense and frequent, putting pressure on water availability in agricultural regions around the world. In Maipo, Chile, water is essential not only for human consumption but also for food production. However, growing demand and water stress are threatening its future availability. To address this challenge, Microsoft and Kilimo have joined forces to help farmers improve irrigation efficiency using artificial intelligence and precision data.
Tackling Water Scarcity in Maipo
In the Maipo region, agriculture accounts for approximately 68% of the available water, placing significant pressure on water resources. At the same time, 80% of the water consumed in Santiago, Chile’s capital, originates from this basin—making it one of the country’s most vulnerable areas when it comes to the water crisis.
In a context where every drop counts, finding solutions that allow farmers to grow more food with less water is essential to ensure long-term sustainability. That’s why, as part of its water positive commitment, Microsoft decided to support an innovative solution aimed at transforming agricultural water management.
Partnering with Microsoft
To make this happen, Microsoft partnered with Kilimo, a company specialized in irrigation management through artificial intelligence. Through this collaboration, we deployed our precision irrigation technology, which enables farmers to know exactly when and how much to irrigate based on their crops’ specific needs and climate conditions.
By integrating AI into irrigation decision-making, farmers can reduce water waste and ensure that only the necessary amount of water is used. This initiative is part of Microsoft’s global sustainability strategy, which includes over 80 water replenishment and access projects worldwide.
The Results
- Improved Water Efficiency: Farms using Kilimo’s system achieved a 13% reduction in water use compared to traditional irrigation methods.
- Scalable Impact: Precision irrigation solutions were deployed across 450 hectares of farmland in Maipo—an area more than twice the size of Disneyland.
- Measurable Impact: Over three years, this optimization has saved 1.5 million cubic meters of water—enough to fill around 600 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Be Part of the Change
The collaboration between Microsoft and Kilimo shows that technology and innovation can be powerful allies in the fight against the water crisis. Through initiatives like this, we can safeguard water resources while helping farmers do more with less.
🔹 If your company is looking for ways to improve water efficiency and meet its sustainability goals, reach out to us—we’d love to explore how we can help you optimize your water use.
