At yesterday’s field visit in Sopot, about 20 farmers were presented with the alternatives to the project of the planned irrigation system Sopot / K36. The proposed changes were made according to the remarks and requests of the farmers at the previous meeting held on December 6, 2018.
The initial technical design envisioned the use of a pumping station for irrigation of higher agricultural lands, which worried farmers because of higher electricity costs. Newly proposed design plans for transfer of water without pumping.
The newly proposed system will be extended, and it will cover the area up to the place called Lazarica. The total area will be 290 ha (30 ha more than the initial proposal). The proposed system without pumping will considerably decrease the costs for maintenance of the system. As such, around 9% of the total area will have lower pressure which could provide irrigation for uphill areas but a bit longer time for irrigation will be required in favour of provision of low cost and more environmentally friendly irrigation system.