During the first phase of the project (the Screening phase), a pool of 201 potential sites for investments in the small-scale irrigation schemes was identified (download table and map of 201 locations). The experts did a thorough work to list all possible irrigation schemes by using an extensive source of information.

For the further ranking and shortlisting of these locations, a methodology was selected, that is combining one of the most popular multi-criteria tool, analytic hierarchy process, and GIS (Geographical Information System).

After numerous consultations with the main stakeholders, a set of criteria was agreed for further selection of approximately 80 possible locations.

The following pre-selection criteria were considered while choosing the locations:

  • The irrigation area to be irrigated is less than 300 Ha;
  • The irrigation scheme is constituted by one to several villages, but only in one Municipality;
  • The irrigation scheme is not in the framework of a large hydro-melioration scheme;
  • The irrigation scheme is represented by a critical mass of farmers that accounts to more than 50% (of the potentially irrigated area), while farmers are willing to benefit from investments in small scale systems and take responsibilities to manage it;
  • The irrigation schemes are equally distributed across the entire territory of the country;
  • Socio economic indicators were taken into account, such us:
  • The number of farmers – in existing irrigation schemes, it corresponds to registered farmers at MAFWE, and for new ones – the expected number of beneficiary farmers,
  • The scheme should be community-based,
  • The calculated income per hectare,
  • The unemployment rate,
  • The migration scale and the influence that such system would make on fighting it,
  • The cross cutting aspects – such as impact on the life of women, vulnerable groups etc.

The result of the application of the above-mentioned criteria lead the experts to a list of possible 20 locations across the following regions: East, North-East, Pelagonija, Polog, South-East, South-West and Vardar.

The locations are enclosed in image below:

More than 20 technical visits were carried out, followed by the same number of meetings with farmers that occurred on each shortlisted location. More details on the meetings are available in the “Activities” section.

Based on the pre-feasibility reports, from 20 possible locations, eight potential locations were selected for investment in small irrigation systems, for which the project will develop Feasibility Studies, projects and tender documentation: Zajas – Kolibari (Municipality of Kicevo), Slavishko Pole (Rankovce municipality), Pisica Dam (Probistip municipality), Causica (Bosilovo municipality), K36 / Sopot (Kavadarci municipality), Suvodolsko (Novaci municipality), Tearce (Tearce municipality) and Banjichko Pole (Gostivar municipality).