In the Kherson region, with the participation of the Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine Roman Leshchenko and the First Deputy Minister Taras Vysotsky, an off-site meeting of the Agrarian Committee on the problem of reforming irrigation in Ukraine was held.

“Together with representatives of the agrarian committee, the leadership of the State Water Agency, the head of the Kherson region, the Institute of Water Problems and Melioration, the All-Ukrainian Agrarian Council, topical issues on irrigation were discussed and myths about the bill on the unification of water users were dispelled. We are talking about an algorithm for making decisions of associations of water users, which can be accepted even by a small farmer who has several hectares for a large user. This mechanism has been worked out very clearly, and no one will have a monopoly here, that is, the decision to merge will become the consensus of all water users, regardless of the size of the farm,” noted Roman Leshchenko.

The minister also noted that the strategic infrastructure - main canals, pumping stations - will not be transferred to private ownership. They will remain the property of the state indefinitely.

“At the time of the functioning of the water users association, the entire infrastructure will be provided for free use. If an association of water users ceases its activities, then it returns to state ownership. It cannot be pledged or any encumbrances imposed,” explained First Deputy Minister Taras Vysotsky.

The validity period of the grant for use is unlimited, as long as the association is in effect.

The Minister of Agrarian Policy also noted that a reclamation headquarters operates under the ministry on a permanent basis, where they discuss the transformation of the reclamation management system, ensuring transparent and fair tariff formation, the problem of inventory and digitization of existing reclamation systems.

At the end of the event, the participants adopted a resolution to support the draft Law of Ukraine "On Water User Organizations and Stimulation of Hydraulic Land Reclamation" (No. 5202-d dated 13.08.2021) and decided to appeal to the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, the chairmen of parliamentary factions and groups in the Verkhovna Rada of their convocation on priority consideration and support of the specified bill.

Minagro