Papikyan Visits Ararat Valley and Armavir Regions to Inspect Canal Renovation Works

The Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, Suren Papikyan, today visited the Ararat Valley and Armavir regions, accompanied by the Governor of Aragatsotn, Davit Gevorgyan, the Governor of Armavir, Hambartsum Matevosyan, Executive Director of the Territorial Development Fund of the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, Arthur Soghomonyan, and the Chairman of the Water Resources Committee of the Ministry, Karen Sarkisyan. The purpose of the visit was to familiarize himself with the renovation and restoration works of the main and secondary canals being carried out within the framework of the "Irrigation Systems Modernization Program" implemented by the Territorial Development Fund of the Ministry.

In Aragatsotn, the minister visited the construction sites of the main river in Ashtarak, the main canal in Oshakan, the Arzni-Shamiram main canal, and the Ujan 1 aqueduct, also known as the bridge-water conduit. Ahead of the irrigation season, reconstruction works are actively ongoing. After the successful completion of the program, the area of irrigated land in Aragatsotn is expected to increase significantly, greatly contributing to the development of the agricultural sector. According to the minister, specifically, as a result of the construction works on the main canal in Oshakan, approximately 200 hectares of land, which have not been irrigated for over 20 years, will become irrigable.

In Armavir region, accompanied by the Governor Hambartsum Matevosyan, Minister Papikyan visited the Lower Hrazdan canal, the divider of the Talin main canal, and the construction sites for the reconstruction of the Talin main canal. The officials informed the minister that the modernization program for irrigation systems in Armavir region is also of strategic importance, generating an investment-friendly environment alongside the increase of irrigated areas, which is particularly significant for the development of agriculture.

During the tour, the minister discussed the progress of the construction work with the officials and issued several directives. It was reported to him that most of the construction works have been completed this year, and it will be possible to finalize the renovation works of the aforementioned infrastructures before the start of the irrigation season. Minister Papikyan expressed satisfaction with the current pace of construction, stating: "This is a small part of our construction efforts and, specifically, works related to the water sector. In the coming weeks and months, we will showcase our full work. I should note that this year an unprecedented volume of work is expected in terms of modernizing the water network, amounting to approximately 14 billion drams."

Papikyan inquired about the state of intra-community networks in the regions and urged to consider adding projects to improve intra-community water supply infrastructures using subsidy packages wherever possible. Among the directives issued to the officials, the minister deemed it critically necessary to work daily with the community residents to prevent litter accumulation in new reservoirs and canals.

The total value of the Irrigation Systems Modernization Program implemented by the Territorial Development Fund of Armenia is $50 million. $40 million is a loan from the Eurasian Development Bank, and $10 million is co-financed by the Government of Armenia. The main objectives of the program are to build systems that replace mechanical irrigation by gravity flow, reconstruct main and inter-farm canals, develop intra-farm irrigation systems, and modernize and strengthen water user companies.

Impressive results are especially expected after the successful completion of the program; Armenia will save 11.8 million kWh of electricity annually, operational costs will be reduced by 300 million drams per year, there will be an increase of 10.5 thousand hectares of irrigated land, 8 pumping stations will be decommissioned, 64.2 kilometers of canals will be restored, and the sections of intra-farm irrigation networks to be restored will reach 259.1 kilometers. The number of beneficiaries of this program exceeds 115,000.