The Collegium Meeting of the Agency of Land Reclamation and Irrigation under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan
On 05 January 2022, in the Agency of Land Reclamation and Irrigation under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan (Agency) was held the regular meeting of the Collegium of the Agency. The meeting`s Agenda was the discussion of the results of activities in 2021 and the Action Plan of the Agency for 2022.
The Chairmen of the Collegium, the Director of the Agency Kholmurod Rahmon, First Deputy Director of the Agency Sirojiddinzoda Bahriddin, Deputy Director Jumazoda Sabur, the Head of the Agriculture and Environmental Protection Department of the Executive Office of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan Saburzoda Mirzodavlat, heads of Central Apparatus departments and subordinates organizations of the Agency attended the Meeting.
First, the Director of the Agency Kholmurod Rahmon spoke about the results of activities in 2021 and the Action Plan of the Agency and it`s subordinate organizations for 2022.
It was noted that in 2021the Land reclamation and Irrigation Departments of cities and districts across the country have signed water supply contracts with 60093 water users for an area of 545504 hectares, and according to the request and demand of farmers 4188.1 million m3 of water have been provided, which is 78.3 million m3 of water is more than the previous year.
Payment for water services is a key factor in the development of the sector and contributes to the timely preparation of irrigation networks for the irrigation season and the provision of users with irrigation water. However, water users paid 80% of water service fees during this period.
Due to incomplete payment for water supply services, the Agency faces challenges in operation and maintenance of irrigation systems and providing timely and sustainable irrigation water to the farmers.
Despite of that, in order to implement the decision of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan from April 3, 2021, №101 "On timely preparation of economic and social sectors of the country for regular and effective activities in the autumn-winter period 2021-2022" the Agency and its subdivisions is preparing the irrigation networks in accordance with the approved action plan. In 2021, irrigation networks and drainages have been cleaned from soil and other pollutions in amount of 1374 thousand m3 and 1262 thousand m3 respectively. As well as, 334 units of hydraulic structures, 16 units of pumping station`s buildings, 456 units of pumping devices, 27 units of wells, 76 electric substations, 126 transformers, 394 cells, 35.9 km of power lines was repaired and regulation of dams were completed.
To fulfill one of the important tasks of the industry - improving the ameliorative condition of agricultural land on the basis of the Decree of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan dated August 1, 2018 №374 and the Agency`s order dated January 8, 2019 №2, in 2021 the condition of 9872 hectares of irrigated agricultural land was improved that consists 102% of the projected plan.
In accordance with the Decree of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan dated May 31, 2018, №585 "On the State Program on cost embankment works in the Republic of Tajikistan for 2018-2022" in 2021, 28.3 thousand meters of banks were rehabilitated and strengthened.
In order to develop new irrigated lands and restore lands left out of agricultural use, a draft of the new state program "On the development of new irrigated lands and restoration of lands abandoned from agricultural use in the Republic of Tajikistan in 2022-2027" was developed and improved according to the recommendations of the ministries and departments of the republic and sent to the Executive Office of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan.
The reports of the heads of structural divisions of the Agency including the Departments of Land Reclamation and Irrigation in Sughd, Khatlon regions, Gissar, Dushanbe zones, the Department of Lands and Irrigation in GBAO and State Departments of Land and Irrigation of cities and districts were heard and discussed among members of Collegium.
At the end of the meeting of the Collegium, appropriate decisions were made, and in order to start irrigation season in 2022 successfully, responsible persons were assigned the following tasks:
- ensuring the implementation of the plan on improving the ameliorative condition of land;
- take the necessary measures to reduce the risk of floods and ensure the safety of the population, settlements and agricultural land from harmful effects of water related natural hazards;
- preparation of irrigation networks for the 2022 irrigation season;
-together with the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Tajikistan, take effective measures to improve the socio-economic situation, as well as the material and technical base of sectoral organizations;
- taking the necessary measures together with the Ministries of Finance, Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan and the State Committee for Investments and State Property Management of the Republic of Tajikistan for adequate financing of state sectoral programs.
- compiling of the draft of "Program of land reclamation and irrigation development"
At the same time, the Departments of Land Reclamation and Irrigation in Sughd, Khatlon regions, Gissar, Dushanbe zones, the Department of Land Reclamation and Irrigation of Gorno-Badakhshon Autonomous Region and State Departments of Land Reclamation and Irrigation in cities and regions were assigned to conclude the contracts on water supply with farmers and other water users, complete the preparation of irrigation networks, pumping stations and other facilities for the irrigation season in accordance with the Action Plan for autumn-winter works until March 1 of current year and improve energy efficiency and ensure the targeted use of funds from the republican budget to pay for the used electricity of pumping stations on the basis of related documents.
