Brazil to hold roadshow on US$190mn Bahia irrigation tender

Brazilian officials will hold a roadshow with potential investors to present details of a tender involving projected investment of 1.1bn reais (US$190mn) to expand irrigation areas in northeast state Bahia.

The roadshow will take place between December 6 and 10 and the irrigated areas are in the middle São Francisco river region. The project is part of a government plan called Baixo de Irecê irrigation perimeter, the federal investment partnerships office (PPI) said in a release.

"The Baixio de Irecê irrigation perimeter comprises an area of 105,000ha, of which 48,000ha are irrigable, in the north of the Médio São Francisco region, 500km from Salvador [capital of Bahia state], in the municipalities of Itaguaçu da Bahia and Xique-Xique. In this project, phases 3 to 9 of the irrigation perimeter will be offered to the private sector, corresponding to an area of 51,531ha, of which 31,500ha can be irrigated," PPI said. 

The auction for the 35-year concession is due to be held next February 10 on the local stock exchange. 

According to state-run São Francisco and Parnaíba valley development company Codevasf, the minimum fee is 82.7mn reais. 

The concession will benefit around 250,000 people in the region. The area produces grains, fruits and vegetables.