Resumen

Water degradation is a critical challenge for agricultural sustainability, particularly for small-scale farmers in South America who rely on local water resources. This article presents the results of a scoping review of the academic literature on how public policies and governance frameworks influence the prevention and mitigation of water degradation associated with small-scale agriculture in South America. Thus, the objective was to assess the impact of public policies and governance frameworks on the sustainable management of water by small-scale farmers in South America, identifying barriers and opportunities. A scoping review was conducted following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, with searches in Scopus, Web of Science, and EBSCO. Studies addressing public policies, governance, and water degradation in small-scale agriculture in the region were analyzed. The findings indicate that policies promoting water infrastructure and monitoring are effective; however, many governance structures exclude small-scale farmers. Privatization and export-oriented policies exacerbate water degradation, whereas community-based models demonstrate greater sustainability. It is crucial to integrate mitigation and prevention strategies with inclusive approaches that enhance small-scale farmers' participation in water management. Future research should prioritize equity, climate change adaptation, and access to sustainable technologies.

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