During the pre-selection of potential locations, the project ” Small-scale, low-cost, environment friendly irrigation schemes: sites selection and preparation of full work tender dossier” signed a Memorandum of Understanding with farmers from twenty shortlisted locations.
The signing of the Memorandums with the farmers, more precisely with the elected representatives of more than 50% of the local farmers, is one of the key criteria for their location to be included in the further project implementation.
The signing of the memorandums was organized in order to ensure that the farmers from the twenty selected locations (Zajas, Kolibari, Slavishko Pole, Dovezence – Jance – Klechovce, Konopica, dams Mavrovica, Pishica, Selemli, Chaushica and Konche1 & 3, as well as Gradishte, Drazevo, Vasilevo-Dobrejci, K36, Dabnichka Reka, Suvodolsko, Gabalavci, Desovo, Tearce and Banjichko Pole) are willing and ready to manage the local irrigation system. Management of the irrigation scheme would be organized through newly established legal entities, owned by local farmers. The state remains the owner of small irrigation systems. The clear intention of the farmers to manage and use the local irrigation system is a guarantee that once the final 6 – 8 locations are selected, the process of preparation for the creation of those entities can begin, and thereafter the implementation of the project can continue unhindered.
By signing the Memorandum, the farmers agreed to provide the necessary support to the selected sites, to actively participate in project activities for strengthening of their management capacities, to prepare Business Plans for future water user associations, and to inform them about legal regulations (ie. internal rules for water planning and use and management of irrigation systems), trainings on system maintenance and servicing, collection of fees, preparation of budgets, etc.
More about the selection process and shortlisting of locations can be found at the following link.