Government approves long-term plan for the development of the irrigation complex of Ukraine until 2050

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has adopted Resolution No. 280-r "On Approval of the Long-Term Development Plan for the Irrigation Complex of Ukraine until 2050".

The Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine is the lead developer. The document was developed by the State Agency of Ukraine for Land Reclamation, Fisheries and Food Programmes.

The document was approved with the support of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations as part of the implementation of the EU's Ukraine Facility initiative, introduced by the Regulation of the European Parliament and the Council of the EU.

"The main goal of the plan is to create an efficient irrigation sector, to be managed with the participation of water user organisations. This should ensure highly efficient, sustainable and environmentally friendly farming in the face of climate change. It will also contribute to the strategic objective of strengthening and developing Ukraine's position as one of the world's leading food producers and exporters. I would like to remind you that restoration of irrigation and irrigation systems is one of the priorities of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine," said Vitalii Koval, Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine.

The plan envisages completion of the institutional reform of the irrigation infrastructure management system, stimulation of investments in the restoration, modernisation and development of existing and construction of new irrigation and water storage infrastructure. The involvement of additional reclaimed land in agricultural production is becoming a key factor in ensuring the country's food security.

The main goal, objectives and principles of the plan are aligned with the Irrigation and Drainage Strategy, the Water Strategy of Ukraine until 2050 and the Law of Ukraine "On Organisations of Water Users and Stimulation of Hydraulic Land Reclamation".

Background Information

Currently, 143 irrigation systems with a service area of 1,053,900 hectares and 297 drainage systems with a service area of 390,400 hectares are under the management of the State Agency.