On April 11, 2025, representatives of the Expert Training Center participated in a round table meeting: "Problematic Issues of Irrigation in Farming Enterprises," organized by the All-Ukrainian Congress of Farmers (hereinafter - AUCF) in partnership with the international humanitarian organization Mercy Corps, with financial support from the Howard G. Buffett Foundation.
Among the invited guests at the event were representatives of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Agrarian and Land Policy, the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Environmental Policy and Nature Management, the Ministry of Agrarian Policy of Ukraine, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine, the State Agency of Ukraine for the Development of Irrigation, Fisheries, and Food Programs, the State Agency for Water Resources of Ukraine, heads of regional military administrations from various regions of Ukraine, experts, farmers, and representatives of local self-government bodies.
The main topic of the event was the challenges in cooperation between farmers and central executive authorities, as well as the search for and engagement of donors.
First Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine Taras VYSOTSKYI expressed readiness for cooperation and dialogue, noting that on March 25, 2025, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved the Long-Term Development Plan for the Irrigation Complex until 2050. This plan outlines strategic directions for the modernization of irrigation systems, expansion of irrigated land areas, and the introduction of modern technologies for efficient water resource use.
First Deputy Head of the State Agency of Ukraine for the Development of Irrigation, Fisheries, and Food Programs Taras KOT presented the challenges related to the transfer of irrigation systems to water user organizations and possible solutions.
The following issues were raised:
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A unified policy direction of the two ministries (the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine and the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine);
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The use of energy service instruments for electricity savings;
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The creation of local water storage facilities for irrigation in the absence of large water sources;
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The initiation of amendments to certain laws regarding VAT during the transfer of irrigation networks and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) requirements for drip irrigation systems covering more than 20 hectares.
The event was engaging and informative. Participants had the opportunity to get answers to their questions and provide suggestions for improving cooperation between agricultural producers, water users, and central executive authorities.
