Improvement and Rehabilitation of Irrigation Systems Project

active

Prospective

The proposed project aims to improve and modernize irrigation services through the rehabilitation and modernization of the Radoniqi-Dukagjini Irrigation System (RDIS), the reduction of water losses and production costs, and to improve the sustainability and efficiency of infrastructure investments supported under the project, and increase the capacities of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development (MAFRD), Municipalities, irrigation providers and farmers. The proposed project would respond to Government demand and help Kosovo rehabilitate its irrigation systems, and directly contribute to Country Partnership Framework (CPF) Objective 2: “Improve productivity of the agriculture sector” by increasing the hectares of area provided with improved irrigation services and promoting the adoption of improved agricultural technologies. The proposed project is highly consistent with the World Bank’s overall development frameworks – Resilience, Inclusion, Sustainability, and Efficiency (RISE) and Green, Resilient and Inclusive Development (GRID), in terms of addressing long-term development challenges and contributing to post pandemic build back better. The proposed project is also fully aligned with the vision and objectives of Kosovo Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development 2022 – 2028, to develop a competitive and innovative agri-rural sector based on modern knowledge, technology, and standards, offering high-quality products in the domestic market, the region, and the EU, as well as sustainable development of natural resources and the environment, providing economic activities and employment opportunities, social inclusion and quality of life for residents in rural areas.The proposed project would include the following three components. Component 1 to support the rehabilitation and modernization of the RDIS, aiming to improve and modernize irrigation services and reduce water losses and production costs. Works for scheme rehabilitation include inter alia: (i) upgrading of new regulating structure aiming at regulating water flow and water use to ensure efficient water management, and (ii) rehabilitation of three irrigation sub-systems (Qerim, Janosh and sector “D” in Dukagjini area) including replacement of different profile of gate valves, broken pipes and fittings, purchase and installation of vertical line shaft pumps, rehabilitation of the main pipeline, intake and distribution gates manhole etc. Modernization of the RDIS include support for the development and establishment Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) to enable the remote operation of the irrigation structures and reducing the operational costs and water loses. Component 2 aims to improve the sustainability and efficiency of infrastructure investments supported under component 1 and increase the capacities of the MAFRD, municipalities, irrigation providers and farmers. It would provide (i) technical assistance to the municipalities to strengthen the capacities of the municipal governments for the provision of irrigation and drainage advice to the farmers in an effective and sustainable way; (ii) technical assistance to the irrigation providers on improving the overall corporate governance and best practices in management and produce of high standard business plans; (iii) assistance to the farmers on modernization of on-farm irrigation technologies and display good practices for an efficient on-farm water management; (iv) technical assistance to the MAFRD for policy, regulatory and institutional aspects supporting implementation of Irrigation Master Plan; and (v) support to knowledge exchange in the irrigation sector. Component 3 would provide overall project management support, coordination, including procurement, financial management, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and public awareness of project activities. Project staff will benefit from capacity building on climate resilient irrigation, sustainable irrigation and climate adaptation solutions.

FY17 - Agriculture, Fishing and Forestry

World Bank Group

Project

Water Supply and Storage, Waste Processing and Treatment, Raw Materials, Government, Commercial