The irrigation system in Cosnita village of Dubasari district, which was rehabilitated within the Compact financed by the U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation, was put into operation on July 24, IPN reports.

The irrigation system in Cosnita is one of the ten irrigation systems that will be renovated within the Compact. It covers an area of 2,400 hectares of farmland that is owned by about 2,300 farmers. The reconstruction works included the construction of new water pumping stations and the repair of the existing ones, equipment of the system with ten modern pumps, laying of 85 km of steel and polyethylene pipes with a life expectancy of 60 years, and installation of water absorption systems by protecting fish in the Nistru.

According to Millennium Challenge Account Moldova director Valentina Badrajan, the renovation of the system generated private investments in the agricultural sector. The farmers purchased 60 pieces of irrigation equipment and trebled the areas planted with trees and vegetables. In this connection, MCC Regional Deputy Vice President Fatema Sumar said it is a great joy for the American people to support the implementation of projects that contribute to building the future of Moldova.

On the occasion of the launch of the irrigation system, the Millennium Challenge Account Moldova handed over 43 mobile water meters to the value of US$15,000 to the Cosnita Water Users Association. Owing to these, the farmers will pay only for the consumed water, not yet for the losses of water in the distribution system.

Acting minister of agriculture and food industry Ion Sula said the good practices and experience accumulated within the rehabilitation of the ten irrigation systems will represent an example for continuing the works to renovate other irrigation systems. A strategy to this effect is being worked out.

The US$262 million Compact has two objectives: to rehabilitate road infrastructure and to stimulate transition to a modern agriculture by renovating the irrigation systems.