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Quantification of SARS-CoV-2 in urban wastewaters has emerged as a cheap, efficient strategy to follow trends of active COVID-19 cases in populations. Moreover, mathematical models have been developed that allow the prediction of active cases following the temporal patterns of viral loads in wastewaters. In Mexico, no systematic efforts have been reported in the use of these strategies. In this work, we quantified SARS-CoV-2 in rivers and irrigation canals in the Mezquital Valley, Hidalgo, an agricultural region where wastewater from Mexico City is distributed and used for irrigation. Using quantitative RT-PCR, we detected the virus in six out of eight water samples from rivers and five out of eight water samples from irrigation canals. Notably, samples showed a general consistent trend of having the highest viral loads in the sites closer to Mexico City, indicating that this is the main source that contributes to detection. Using the data for SARS-CoV-2 concentration in the river samples, we generated a simplified transport model that describes the spatial patterns of dispersion of virus in the river. We suggest that this model can be extrapolated to other wastewater systems where knowledge of spatial patterns of viral dispersion, at a geographic scale, is required. Our work highlights the need for improved practices and policies related to the use of wastewater for irrigation in Mexico and other countries.

Agricultural sustainability depends on complex relationships between environmental, economic, and social aspects, especially with small farm holders from indigenous communities. This work was centered on two municipalities of Hidalgo State in Mexico, Ixmiquilpan (mainly irrigated systems) and El Cardonal (rainfed systems). Our objective was to understand the relationships between the small farm holders and their agricultural systems. We evaluated the sustainability of their agricultural systems and made some recommendations. We applied the Framework for the Evaluation of Management Systems using Indicators (MESMIS, Spanish acronym), thirty-one indicators were identified, and quantitative indexes were established to assess the sustainability. The results showed that adaptability was a critical factor for irrigated and rainfed systems, and the main problem identified was youth migration. Additionally, the access to water and economic resources and the management of environmental resources are necessary in order to increase the yield of agricultural crops. Therefore, a holistic approach that considers the organization of small producers and synergy between indigenous knowledge and modern technologies is required for the territorial development of the communities.

Quantification of SARS-CoV-2 in urban wastewaters has emerged as a cheap, efficient strategy to follow trends of active COVID-19 cases in populations. Moreover, mathematical models have been developed that allow prediction of active cases following the temporal patterns of viral loads in wastewaters. In Mexico, no systematic efforts have been reported in the use of this strategies. In this work, we quantified SARS-CoV-2 in rivers and irrigation canals in the Mezquital Valley, Hidalgo, an agricultural region where wastewater from Mexico City is distributed and used for irrigation. Using quantitative RT-PCR, we detected the virus in 6 out of 8 water samples from rivers, and 5 out of 8 water samples from irrigation canals. Notably, samples showed a general consistent trend of having the highest viral loads in the sites closer to Mexico City, indicating that this is the main source that contributes to detection. Using the data for SARS-CoV-2 concentration in the river samples, we generated a simplified transport model that describes the spatial patterns of dispersion of virus in the river. We suggest that this model can be extrapolated to other wastewater systems that require knowledge of spatial patterns of viral dispersion at a geographic scale. Our work highlights the need for improved practices and policies related to the use of wastewater for irrigation in Mexico and other countries.

Agricultural sustainability depends on complex relationships between environmental, economic and social aspects, in particular with the small farm holders from indigenous communities. This work was centered in two municipalities of Hidalgo State in Mexico, Ixmiquilpan (mainly irrigated systems) and El Cardonal (rainfed systems). Our objective was to understand the relationships between the small farm-holders and their agricultural systems. We evaluated the sustainability of their agricultural systems and did some recommendations. We applied the Framework for the Evaluation of Management Systems using Indicators (MESMIS, Spanish acronym), thirty-one indicators were identified, and the quantitative indexes were established to assess sustainability. The results showed that adaptability was a critical factor for irrigated and rainfed systems, the main problem identified was youth migration. Additionally, the access to water and economic resources, as well as environmental resources management, are imperious needs to increase the yield of agriculture crops. Therefore, a holistic approach taking into account the organization of small producers and synergy between indigenous knowledge and modern technologies, are required for the territorial development of the communities.