The creation and work of irrigation water users' associations will be simplified. The Cabinet approved amendments that eliminate legal and administrative impediments and provide farmers with clarity on the functioning of centralized irrigation systems, IPN reports.

According to the document, only one association can be constituted on the basis of a single-sector irrigation system. At the same time, it is not allowed to divide and partially lease out equipment and machinery within a pumping station and other infrastructure facilities within an irrigation system. They can be rented out in full so as to ensure continuous functionality.

The new provisions ensure the possibility for associations to obtain incomes from the sale of electricity produced from renewable sources. These could be used to maintain and modernize the systems.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry, there are currently 40 water users’ associations and 88 irrigation systems in Moldova, of which 22 are functional.