TIRANA, Aug 19 /ATA/ Prime Minister Edi Rama said on Wednesday that the modernisation of the irrigation system in Mursi, Konispol, is introducing a more efficient way of irrigating farmland through a new network of pipelines and hydrants that reduces water losses, lowers costs for farmers and enables the use of modern drip and sprinkler irrigation systems.
The new irrigation scheme in the Mursi area is being modernised through an investment funded by the Albanian government and the World Bank, aimed at transforming irrigation across around 2,215 hectares of farmland.
During an inspection of the works, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Andis Salla said the project represents one of the most innovative investments currently being developed in irrigation infrastructure.
“This is one of the most innovative irrigation infrastructure projects currently being implemented in the area. We are moving from flood irrigation to a pressurised system, with the entire network to be managed by the municipality,” Salla said.
He said the project is nearing completion and will significantly improve irrigation for local farmers by replacing the traditional system with a modern network of pipelines and hydrants.
“We are nearing completion of the project,” the minister said, stressing that the new infrastructure will enable more efficient management of water resources and the entire irrigation scheme.
The investment is also expected to reduce farmers’ production costs by limiting the need for individual motor-driven irrigation pumps and, consequently, cutting spending on fuel and electricity.
The investment will help farmers reduce costs for both electricity and fuel used to operate motorised irrigation pumps. The new scheme will be managed by the municipality in coordination with farmers, while the fee for using the system has been agreed in consultation with the farming community.
Through the new network, farmers will benefit from lower water losses and gain access to modern irrigation technologies, including drip and sprinkler systems.
Alongside the infrastructure investment, work is also underway to promote smart agriculture through the use of sensors and weather stations, with the aim of optimising water use and adapting agricultural production to climate change.
The project is therefore aimed at conserving water resources, reducing costs for farmers and strengthening the sustainability of agriculture in the Mursi area.
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