On May 0-31, 2024, USAID AGRO initiated a roundtable discussion with Ukrainian water user organisations (WUOs) to discuss key issues to stimulate support for reform in the field of hydrotechnical reclamation.

The main topics of the event:

transferring the engineering infrastructure of reclamation networks to the ownership of the water management companies;

informing about the support of the water management companies and agrarians for the development and restoration of reclamation systems;

Dissemination of knowledge through seminars and workshops;

strengthening communications between water user organisations and the authorities.

Oleksandr Haidu, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Agrarian and Land Policy, addressed the participants with welcoming remarks.

"The efficient use of water and land resources for agricultural production depends on reforms in hydraulic reclamation. The stability of agricultural production in Ukraine is an important factor in the world's food security.

The land reclamation reform started at a difficult time for Ukraine. In February 2022, the Law on Water Reclamation was adopted to address issues related to the restoration and modernisation of reclamation systems, attracting foreign investment and changing approaches to managing these systems. The law was the first step towards meeting the needs of agricultural producers.

In Odesa region, the reform was driven by Alla Stoyanova, whose efforts in 2021-2023 will be Odesa region has been a leader in implementing reforms," said Gaidu.

Thirty-five WMCs have already been established in Ukraine, and only one reclamation system has been transferred to the ownership of the Voda.Zhyttia WMC, located in Izmail district.

USAID AGRO Program Director Ksenia Sydorkina noted that "USAID AGRO continues to support water user organisations that are officially registered in accordance with the Law of Ukraine "On Water User Organisations and Stimulation of Land Reclamation". The co-financing projects will promote the creation of WUCs, innovations in the field of hydrotechnical reclamation, encouragement of investments in irrigation, empowerment of land and water users through the introduction of modern irrigation and drainage technologies, purchase and installation of energy and water-saving equipment and irrigation automation. This will reduce irrigation water losses, energy consumption and increase soil fertility.

USAID AGRO expects proposals from DEC members who have:

the land plots are registered in the State Land Cadastre and the rights to them are registered in the State Register of Real Property Rights (in case of lease of land plots, the date of lease termination must be confirmed);

information on the members of the water user organisation is included in the State Agrarian Register in accordance with the requirements of the law;

there are no debts to the state water management organisation for services received related to water intake for irrigation in previous years. The service area of the water management company must be at least 200 hectares.

In addition to financial support, all winning WMCs will receive consulting assistance from USAID AGRO on entering the reclamation network into the State Land Cadastre, obtaining ownership of reclamation network engineering infrastructure, and other issues related to WMC operations.

We have a very strong team in Odesa region, and it is a pleasure to work with such leaders as Alla Stoyanova," emphasised Ksenia Sydorkina.

The transfer of reclamation network facilities is a prerequisite for improving the efficiency of water user organisations and raising funds for the development of the reclamation sector.

Currently, an important step in the implementation of land reclamation reform is the adoption of the draft law "On Amendments to Article 133 of the Tax Code of Ukraine regarding the peculiarities of the non-profit status of water user organisations" (Reg. No. 5203), which provides for the establishment of water user organisations as legal entities with non-profit status.

"We have come a long way in implementing the land reclamation reform. And now we are at the home stretch, we must ensure that all the established water management companies receive the legal right to use reclamation systems free of charge.

Firstly, it will allow farmers to use the land bank efficiently, and secondly, it will have a positive impact on the development of crops, new crops will appear on Ukrainian fields, and processing will develop. This is a contribution not only to national food security, but also to global food security.

For the reform to succeed, it is necessary to ensure full implementation of the Law on the Election Commission by all branches of government, both at the central and local levels. This is exactly what our united agrarian team is working on now," says Alla Stoyanova, head of the Agrarian Odesa Oblast Council's deputy group.

The meeting included a visit to the Dniester Interdistrict Water Management Department of the State Fisheries Agency and a tour of its facilities.

The distinguished guests visited one of Odesa Region's largest enterprises, Dniester.

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