Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Dr. Tzvetan Dimitrov met with Michael Jacobsen, Senior Specialist of the World Bank in the field of water resources. During the meeting they discussed a National Strategy and Action Plan in the field of water resources.
"Hydromelioration sector has many unsolved and accumulated problems over the past 20 years. The reforms of the late 90's, did not improved things. Irrigation associations, which were created, did not fulfill the functions for which they were established. Areas that have been watered decreased and this has brought negative impacts in Bulgarian agriculture, said Deputy Minister Dimitrov at the meeting. "MAF has started work on a draft Strategy for development of Hydromeliorations, for which we need expertise of professionals in the sector outside the country," underlined Deputy Minister.
Good cooperation development between Bulgaria and the World Bank was also discussed at the meeting. Partnership strategy between the two parties, which will cover a 5-year period. is finalizing by the World Bank. The strategy is sufficiently comprehensive and provides many fields for cooperation, including the field of hydromeliorations, pointed out Michael Jacobsen.
Bulgaria expects to achieve better organization of irrigation operation and modernization of equipment in the field of hydromeliorations with the support of the World Bank.
World Bank assistance is important in terms of normative and legal base, which will be the basis for practical implementation, relying on international experience and European law. Proper legislative decisions will answer the question of water pricing - market-based prices or regulated by the state as it is at the moment