28 October 2020
Webinar on “Irrigation Networks Development and Management – Case Studies from Israel, Spain and Portugal”
The webinar “Irrigation Networks Development and Management – Case Studies from Israel, Spain and Portugal” gathered more than 130 participants from all over the world. The webinar was organized in the context of the project “Supporting the Development of Serbia’s Irrigation Strategy” implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), to support the Serbian Government and the relevant institutions with the drafting of its Irrigation Development Strategy and the five-year Action Plan. The aim of numerous studies and activities within the project is to identify specific preconditions and investment options for increased agricultural productivity, sustainability and climate change resilience via enhanced and newly developed irrigation infrastructure.
The meeting was opened by senior representatives of organizations implementing the project: Nataša Milić, Acting Director of the Republic Water Management Directorate; Miljan Ždrale, EBRD Regional Head of Agribusiness, Central and South-Eastern Europe; Nabil Gangi, Representative for Serbia, FAO, and Wafaa El Khoury, FAO Investment Centre Service Chief.
“Measures taken by the Serbian Government in the field of improvement, expansion and modernization of irrigation infrastructure, due to the growing sensitivity of the country, caused by the negative impact of climate change but also due to obsolescence and insufficient investment in irrigation systems, are aimed at improving community resilience to climate change and support to the agricultural sector, through higher yields and production growth. The rehabilitation of the existing irrigation system and water infrastructure is expected to also contribute to savings in water and energy consumption,” said Nataša Milić in her introductory speech.
Experts from Israel, Portugal and Spain shared their successful experiences in irrigation system management and the application of advanced irrigation technologies, and especially emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships and continuous cooperation of all actors in this process.
A video of the webinar is available at the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Tlc0z-XwZI&t=20s&ab_channel=IrrigationStrategyandActionPlan
