TODAY.AZ / Business

Ahmad Ahmadzadeh: "90-95% of irrigation water is paid for"

20 May 2006 [11:25] - TODAY.AZ
Ahmad Ahmadzadeh, Director OJSC Melioration and Water Economy, has today held a press conference on current activity and future plans of their organization.

As APA reports, he has stated that there are 1,498 million hectares land areas irrigated in Azerbaijan now, 30-40 thousand of which are boundary areas and 130 thousand are under Armenian occupation. On his words, 90% of agricultural products in Azerbaijan are fed in irrigated areas.

There are 189 reservoir storages with 21 billion cubic meters, about 50 thousand kms. irrigation channels, about 30 thousand kms. length drainage system, 812 pumping stations, more than 6400 artesian wells and 129 thousand hydro technical facilities with passports in Azerbaijan now. Besides, there are more than 60 thousand ha. irrigated areas.

Every measure in irrigation and melioration system is financed by the Government. Mr. Ahmadzadeh has also stated that AZN65 million is planned to finance for costs in 2006. Amount of money that has been collected thus far is AZN1,5 million in 2006. The Government has granted some privileges to farmers as a subvention.

Talking about new system of collecting irrigation payment system, he has said that AZN0,50 is now paid for every thousand cubic meters, but AZN0,40 in winter camps according to new rules set in March. The system was acting differently before, as irrigation fee was paid for irrigated land areas with hectares. 90-95% of irrigation fee is now collected.

Ahmadzadeh has also touched projects run by OJSC Melioration and Water Economy with international finance. He has said that their organization is now running projects with financial support of The World Bank, Islamic Development Bank and Asian Development Bank. Total finance of projects supported by The World Bank is $42 million. Azerbaijani government shares $6 million in both projects.

The first one is Samur-Absheron Channel Rehabilitation Project. It is aimed to repair 50 km. part of abovementioned channel and second part of Mil-Mughan header within this project. Repairs in Mil-Mughan will be finished this year while work on Samur-Absheron will end next year.

The other one is Irrigation II Project within which melioration of 56 thousand ha. in 11 regions and adjustment in usage system are planned,” Ahmadzadeh said.

Khanarkh Channel will be reconstructed with $19 million financial assistance of Islamic Development Bank. Running 67 kms, this channel will be started operation in summer providing 61 thousand ha. land as well as Samur-Absheron Channel with cross-water.

"This project is already going to end. There is another project with finance of Islamic Development Bank, Saudi Fund and OPIC for construction of Velvelechay and Tahtakorpu (Wooden Bridge) channels. 28 dikes in 11 regions including Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic will be built in the framework of joint project with Asian Development Bank," he said.

URL: http://www.today.az/news/business/26327.html

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