Water Resources Will Become More Expensive: What Does Pashinyan Propose

During today’s government session, a program was approved to compensate water users for irrigation water fees in case of the implementation of drip and sprinkler irrigation systems on land areas of up to 3 hectares. Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Gnel Sanosyan stated that the project's adoption is conditioned by the need for the economical and efficient use of irrigation water, the increase of new land areas, and the improvement of the accounting process for provided irrigation water.

“Individuals and legal entities who are members of the Water User Association and make investments in drip irrigation systems in areas up to 3 hectares will receive compensation for irrigation water fees for a period of 5 years. The scheme is simple: the land must be included in the area serviced by the Water User Association, and there must be a contract,” said Gnel Sanosyan.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan also recalled that this is one of their electoral promises. The Prime Minister noted that the irrigation method currently used in Armenia has no future, since water resources are gradually becoming more expensive and will be in higher demand. “We need to understand that traditional irrigation methods have no future, and we must do everything to ensure that the entire republic transitions to drip irrigation. Alongside this, we should support changing the content of gardens and move towards more intensive agriculture,” emphasized Nikol Pashinyan.