Armenia will be able to follow water flows through the space satellites

“The World Bank highly appreciates the long-standing cooperation with the Government of Armenia, especially with the State Committee of Water Economy, as objectives of all parties coincide in the point to ensure efficient irrigation service for farmers”, said World Bank Senior Specialist of Water Recourses, Program Implementation Team Leader Winston Yu during the meeting hold in the premises of the State Committee of Water Economy of the RA of MEINP.

“I do mention, that the work we do with the PIU of SCWE satisfies not only with its effectiveness, but also with its work format. It is important for WB, that the implemented projects would be acceptable for communities and could get their support. Applying the new gravity system of Geghardalich we all were witnesses of population complains in Goght and Garni. In this period of time, behavior of SCWE staff was very exemplary for everybody. The readiness to listen the objections and suggestions of community representatives, and, then considering these comments in further works, shows high professional abilities of the staff”, he said.

Presenting the further process of gravity system implementation in Geghardalich to the SCWE Chairman Arsen Harutyunyan, WB officer informed, that the objections of Goght and Garni representatives were discussed by WB independent inspection commission. All regarding comments of stakeholders will be involved in the conclusion of commission.

Getting back to the Water sector legislation Winston Yu mentioned, that he had worked in different countries and can say with confidence, that the RA legislation could be exemplary for various countries.

The Chairman Arsen Harutyunyan thanked for high appreciation of the Committee’s work and emphasized the importance of ongoing projects with WB. Nevertheless A. Harutyunyan is sure that the sector needs reforms.

"Our priorities should be the two; first, get rid of all kinds of structures doing repetitive functions and ensure fair optimization of the field, and second, provide uninterrupted water supply for the farmers. I am convinced that many issues will be resolved automatically if these two conditions are accomplished; even the collection of payments. When the farmer sees that the appropriate level of service is provided, he will pay for it, especially if there are no exceptions in this regard ", said Harutyunyan.

Due to the SCWE Chairman projects are being developed to control uncounted water and scales of water losses, as well as towards electricity savings.

In this regard, WB Senior Agricultural Specialist and Project Implementation Team Co-Leader Arusyan Alaverdyan informed, that European Space Agency has a good experience in following water flows towards satellites in periods of half century, as well as ongoing times. Many Countries of the world apply to this service. This year, by efforts of WB Armenian project implementation team, Armenia was also involved in the list of those countries that could benefit the satellites of European Space Agency, free of charge.