World Bank approves $30 million for Armenia’s irrigation systemMay 23, 2013 - 18:30 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The World Bank Board of Executive Directors approved a $30 million loan for the Irrigation System Enhancement Project (ISEP) in Armenia. This project will assist the Government of Armenia in its continuous efforts to ensure efficient, cost effective and sustainable irrigation through reduced amount of energy used and improved timing of water supply in four targeted irrigation schemes. In addition, it will help improve the availability and reliability of important sector data and information for decision-makers and other stakeholders, WB Yerevan office informs. The major investment will be aimed at lowering the operating cost of water by converting pump-based irrigation to gravity irrigation in four systems. The proposed ISEP will finance the construction of gravity irrigation systems in the Meghri, Gegardalich, Baghramyan-Norakert and Kaghtsrashen. About 52 km of outlet canals in 13 selected pump-based schemes will be rehabilitated to minimize losses of high-cost pumped water. The investment in these canals will allow for savings of more than 20 million cubic meters of high-cost pumped water. It will be achieved mainly through the improvement in conveyance efficiency of the outlet canals of selected schemes by reducing water losses. It is calculated that for 100,000 liters of water the introduced change will save 1.2 liters of water per second. In addition to the energy saving effect of slightly more than 38 million kw/h, equivalent to about 30 percent of the total needs of the irrigation system in Armenia, the project will also allow improving water availability for currently serviced areas. This will potentially bring about 2,400 ha of formerly irrigated agricultural fields back to irrigation, leading to increased agricultural production. The total financing of the project is US$37.5 million, of which US$7.5 million is contributed by the government of Armenia. The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) Specific Investment Loan (SIL) has a maturity of 30 years and a 5 year grace period. Top stories Yerevan has dismissed Turkey’s demand to shut down the Armenian nuclear power plant as “inappropriate”. Armenia will loan 2.9 billion drams to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), according to a draft government decision. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan has “strongly condemned” Armenia’s decision. Kerobyan has said that for the first time in the history of Armenia, the volume of foreign direct investments amounted to about $1 billion. Partner news | Surveying works underway in Armenia’s Kirants Surveying works are underway in the Armenian village of Kirants in the northern Tavush province. Armenia calls for prohibiting threats of attacks on nuclear facilities Armenia has raised the need for a treaty prohibiting attacks on nuclear facilities devoted to peaceful purposes. Armenia Security Council chief traveling to Qatar Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan will travel on a working visit to Qatar. Pillars installed in Armenian border village of Kirants In the Armenian village of Kirants, three border markers have been installed, and border guards stand next to them. |