This week, specialists from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry MAIA, the National Agency for Land Improvement, the French Development Agency and the European Union Embassy in RM visited the centralized irrigation system “Criulenii de Sus” to discuss the situation with farmers and assess the technical condition of the system. During the visit they analyzed the pumping station, catchment basin, existing infrastructure, lands to be irrigated, farmers’ needs and further steps for the design and planning of works.
There was also a dialog between representatives of the mentioned structures and the leadership of the local Association of Water Users for Irrigation, who presented the current state of lands and crops, as well as described the difficulties faced by farmers during the irrigation season. The parties assessed the expected benefits from the restoration of the centralized irrigation system.
Farmers in the region said the system, built in 1975, needs to be modernized to operate efficiently. They want an automated system that would provide more reliable access to water and allow them to grow more valuable crops, especially fruits, vegetables and grapes.
Logos Press previously reported that the total cost of the iDRIP program is 60 million euros. The funding includes a €45 million loan from the French Development Agency and a €15 million grant from the European Union.
Two centralized irrigation systems, SCI “Criulenii de Sus” and SCI “Călinești”, will be rehabilitated under the iDRIP program. For SCI “Criulenii de Sus”, it is planned to rehabilitate an area of about 1,276 hectares, which will benefit about 300 landowners.
