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Villages of Khikhani and Shaumiani get irrigation after 30-years of pause
The Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr Levan Davitashvili and Mr Davit Tsitlidze, Director of the Georgian Amelioration paid a visit to the Khikhani and Shaumiani, Kvemo Kartli region to observe the recovery/reconstruction works of an irrigation scheme. As a result of the Georgian Amelioration’s efforts, irrigation systems have been restored, hence ensuring irrigation system to an increased number of 1000 ha in the Marneuli municipality.
“Amelioration-irrigation infrastructure efforts have been undertaken during an entire year, amidst the Covid 19 pandemic, without any impediment. Our efforts will translate into commencing yet another vital project launched in the Kvemo Kartli region ensuring irrigation system to an increased number of 1000 ha. At an incumbent stage, more than 20, 000 ha enjoys irrigation system. Consistently, year after year, growing trend of irrigation-supported regions of Georgia, apart from Kvemo Kartli, has been achieved, hence, posing new opportunities for enhancing agriculture. Absence of agricultural infrastructure, especially in the times of climate change, contemporary agriculture has positioned irrigation as a crucial element for development. We will actively proceed with enhancement of irrigation and drainage infrastructure, as set forth within our upcoming 4-year plan and strategy” – Minister Davitashvili stated.
The villages of Khikhani and Shaumiani witnessed three decades of absence of amelioration infrastructure. As a result of the Georgian Amelioration’s efforts, irrigation systems have been restored, hence ensuring irrigation system to an increased number of 1000 ha in the Marneuli municipality.
The efforts within the project entails construction of pumping stations and arrangement of pressurized pipelines, division boxes, water collecting and other amelioration structures. At this stage, irrigation canals of the Khikhani and Shaumiani villages are also being repaired. A total amount of 3, 659, 900 GEL has been invested into the project.
Amelioration infrastructure efforts at the Marneuli municipality were launched during Autumn 2019 and will commence by the end of 2020.