Based on in-depth data obtained from 20 pre-visibility studies, the expert team recommended eight well-ranked locations to enter the next stages of the project.
The final selection of the eight locations was made according to series of criteria and indicators, such as: economic indicators – benefit-cost ratio and the expected internal rate of return, the most environmentally friendly systems, accessible tariffs for irrigation, availability / unavailability of water, number of farmers, projects with ongoing problems with product placement on the market that need to be supported by additional capacity building in order to change agricultural models, small irrigation systems up to 300 hectares belong to one municipality, etc.
Both the EU Delegation and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy approved the recommendation, initially accepted by the Project Steering Committee.
The eight sites for which feasibility studies will be prepared, as well as detailed basic projects are as follows: Zajas – Kolibari (municipality of Kicevo), Slavishko Pole (municipality of Rankovce), dam Pisica (municipality of Probistip), Causica (municipality of Bosilovo), K36 / Sopot (municipality of Kavadarci), Suvodolsko (municipality of Novaci), Tearce (municipality of Tearce) and Banjichko Pole (municipality of Gostivar).
The pre-feasibility studies provided a detailed insight into each of the twenty potential locations: information and description of the project area; climate, water and land resources, and existing irrigation structures, preliminary environmental impact assessment, agricultural economics, and project cost estimation, economic, financial and social analysis.
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